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Sunseap Group Launches New Subsidiary Called Sunseap Solutions

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Sunseap Group, Singapore’s leading integrated clean energy solutions provider, recently announced the launch of its newest fully-owned subsidiary, Sunseap Solutions Pte Ltd.

The new entity provides integrated efficient energy solutions through energy audits, Green Mark consultancy and energy performance contracting. Sunseap Solutions’ energy performance contracting focuses on LED lighting retrofits.

This will eventually expand to include other forms of M&E equipment (e.g. chiller plants, pumps and lifts). Under the energy performance contracting scheme, lighting retrofits will be fully financed by the Sunseap Group and clients will co-share the energy savings. The equipment will be maintained and warrantied by Sunseap Solutions during the contract period.

Sunseap Solutions also offers the full range of Optigreen green roof solutions and components. The launch of the new business unit is part of Sunseap Group’s plan to provide all-rounded sustainable solutions for its clients. The Group’s other entities are Sunseap Leasing, which provides rooftop solar solutions to the masses, Sunseap International, which is responsible for the group’s regional activities outside of Singapore, and Sunseap Energy, Singapore’s largest clean energy retailer.

Mr Laurence Kwan, Director of Sunseap Energy, said: “We are excited that the Sunseap Group is about to embark on the next phase of its development with the formation of Sunseap Solutions. We are now able to provide the full spectrum of green solutions to our clients with the convenience of a single point of contact.

“This is in line with the Group’s vision of providing affordable sustainable solutions to the masses and is an important step to decarbonising.”

To date, Sunseap has more than 160 megawatts (MWp) of contracted solar project capacity in Singapore, which has been deployed or is in the course of being deployed. Some of its clients include Apple, Housing Development Board, Singapore American School, Raffles Institution, the United Technologies Group and ABB.

Regionally, it is also one of the largest and most established players in the solar energy industry. It has a pipeline of projects in Cambodia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Australia, including a 168 MWp solar farm in Vietnam, the largest in the country, a 62 MWp utility scale farm in the Philippines and a 10 MWp utility scale farm in Cambodia.

Grundfos Launches New CR Product That Achieves New Efficiency Heights

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Pump manufacturer Grundfos has launched its new generation of CR pumps – which exceeds current energy efficiency limits for multi-stage in-line pumps. Grundfos’ renowned range of CR pumps are the world’s first vertical multistage centrifugal inline pumps, which line up pump pressure and pump suction port in a straight pipe.

The centrifugal CR pumps can transport corrosive, hot, and high-pressure liquids used across various applications including water supply, water treatment and almost all industrial solutions.

The new generation of Grundfos CR pumps introduces three new flow sizes (CR95, 125 and 155) and increases the maximum water flow to 220 cubic metre per hour.

Gary Flanagan, Regional Product Manager – Multistage, Grundfos Asia Pacific Region said the pump manufacturer is dedicated to continuous development and innovation to ensure that this new generation of CR pumps is meeting the evolving needs of industries in Asia and globally.

“The world has changed in many ways since the CR was first introduced many years ago. But our drive to set new standards for our customers has always remained the same. That is why we are so proud to announce the launch of this new generation of Grundfos CR pumps.

“Today, our new CR pump design features a full range of sizes and literally millions of customised solutions to suit the specific needs of companies and engineers.”

Based on extensive research, development and testing of new hydraulic designs, the CR pump is engineered using state-of-the-art production methods – including a fully automated and flexible production line.

Gary Flanagan added, “As industries in Asia expand to meet the growing consumption demand of the region, they need to take a smarter manufacturing approach to make sure their industrial processes are able to produce more with less, while reducing energy consumption and limiting their carbon footprint.

“Sustainability is a very important part of Grundfos’ DNA and we aim to create cleaner and more energy efficient technologies to help our customers reduce their carbon emissions, in line with the Paris Agreement commitments.”

Espai Barça - FC Barcelona

Bentley Systems Presents Synchro Software At Microsoft Inspire Conference

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Espai Barça - FC Barcelona

Image courtesy of www.fcbarcelona.com

Bentley Systems, Incorporated presented Synchro, a 4D construction modeling solution at the Microsoft Inspire conference in Las Vegas in July 2018. The use of Synchro as part of a mixed reality construction management solution for FC Barcelona’s Espai Barça sports stadium project was featured during the Mixed Reality (MR) and the Cloud session at the conference.

The Microsoft Inspire session, led by Microsoft’s Nancy Li, detailed how Bentley’s Synchro, a cloud-based 4D construction modeling solution, will be used for FC Barcelona’s major renovation to the Espai Barça sports arena in Barcelona, Spain, which when completed will accommodate more than 100,000 fans. In conjunction with time-lapse monitoring footage of the construction site provided by EarthCam, Bentley’s Synchro will help the stadium project team to visualise and compare construction progress with the 4D construction model.

Greg Demchak, technical architect for Bentley, said, “The scope of this project demands that we look for new solutions, and for this, we turned to Microsoft. Using Azure infrastructure, HoloLens technology, and Cognitive Services, multiple users can interact with a holographic representation of the stadium data at any moment in the construction process. We are also leveraging machine learning and on-site images to digitally track actual progress with Synchro.”

Bentley Systems is a Mixed Reality and CityNext partner with Microsoft, and will receive the 2018 Microsoft CityNext Partner of the Year Award during this year’s Microsoft Inspire Conference for its Azure-enabled software solution for Mass Rapid Transit Corporation’s world-class, Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya high-speed railway project in Malaysia.

JCB Telehandlers Take Pole Position At Formula One 2018 Singapore Grand Prix

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JCB has won a four-year contract to supply recovery equipment to the Formula One 2018 Singapore Grand Prix. The high profile race takes place in the heart of Singapore’s central business district from 14-16 September 2018 and – as the only Formula One event scheduled for Southeast Asia – it is often described as the region’s crown jewel. This spectacular night race is a highlight of the Formula One season and offers JCB a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate their renowned products to a global audience of millions.

JCB successfully managed to secure the rights to supply recovery equipment following a competitive, high-level tender process. The race organising committee were particularly impressed with JCB’s products, and the role of Aly – JCB’s newly appointed Singapore dealer – in negotiations; as well as JCB’s commitment to motorsport through its existing sponsorship agreement with Williams Martini Racing.

Albert Foo, Executive Director Corporate Strategy, Aly JCB – JCB’s exclusive dealer for Singapore – states: “Supplying equipment to the Singapore Grand Prix is a big opportunity for JCB. It’s a statement of intent, which shows our customers that Aly and JCB are rapidly growing in Singapore ready to support them. If such significant, high profile customers as the Singapore Grand Prix have confidence in JCB to provide the solutions for their operations, and are making the switch to our brand, our customers will trust us to provide them with the same world class solutions.”

JCB will exclusively supply the Singapore Grand Prix with 20 Telescopic Handlers – ranging from the 527-58, all the way up to the 540-170 and the 560-80 models – in a package that also includes JCB’s flagship model, the 541-70 Telescopic Handler. These machines will be deployed at several prominent locations within the race track area for the full three days of the race weekend.

The Telehandlers will be used in the event of a crash or car malfunction. They will lift and remove the affected race cars from the track into the holding area. Familiarisation training is being provided using machines with appropriate jibs and spreader bars, while both JCB and Aly’s technical resources are on standby for the whole event.

Max Lytle, Managing Director JCB Southeast Asia, comments: “The local knowledge and insight of Aly JCB played a crucial part in JCB winning the race for this contract. It is another string to our bow that shows customers we are serious about the Singapore market and are a world class manufacturer of construction equipment. What better way to demonstrate our products than in a high profile event such as the Singapore Grand Prix that will attract vast global interest and provide an excellent opportunity to raise our brand visibility?”

Max continues: “The Telehandler concept is one that can revolutionise customers’ applications across Southeast Asia. The ability to quickly and easily pick up and move a load – be that a Formula One car, brick pack, or whatever it may be – is the very essence of a Telescopic Handler.”

Cosentino Presents: Valdebebas 127 With Dekton And Silestone By Cosentino

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Valdebebas 127, a residential project with an exclusive location along the edge of Valdebebas Central Park in northern Madrid, is a development that oversees splendid views of the park, and also includes shops separate from the main residential area.

The development consists of a total of 201 double- orientation two-, three-, and four-bedroom units that are all designed thoughtfully with storage rooms and parking spaces for convenience in the everyday life of the residents.

Other key features of the development include its thermal and acoustic efficiency, and the incorporation of innovative and next-generation materials in its construction, architecture and design – specifically, the use of Cosentino’s premium ultracompact surfaces Dekton® and Silestone®.

Almost 8,000 square metres of the ultracompact surface Dekton® were used in the first stage of this residential development, in the construction of its façades and pedestals. Dekton® was chosen to construct the façade cladding due to its excellent aesthetic and specific building qualities that promises exceptional durability and thermal performance: specifically, its high resistance to UV radiation, stains and thermal shocks, low porosity and colour stability. Dekton® has also received ETA 14/0413 (European Technical Assessment) documentation and CE certification as testament to its suitability for use as the cladding of a ventilated façade.

Dekton® surfaces were used in the colours – Warm and Korus – to bring harmony and balance to the overall aesthetic of the development. Warm’s white finish gives the building a cosy feel and brings it into harmony with its surroundings, providing a complementary blank canvass against which the grey of Korus could be used to highlight specific aspects of the façade. The pedestal was surfaced with Domoos, a very elegant black shade that ultimately facilitated a unique contrast with the larger areas for a nice touch of juxtaposition to the eye.

Says Mr Carlos Rubio, the main architect of the development, from architectural firm Estudio Rubio Arquitectura: “The exceptional qualities of Dekton® were a key factor influencing our choice to use it as the façade material. Its large format, as well as its variety of textures and colours, allowed us to respond and emphasise our play on both form and volume.”

Quartz surface Silestone® was used for the interiors, making 72 shower trays and 72 kitchen worktops in total. Silestone® was used with the idea that the interiors of the development, much like the exteriors that surrounded them, would be of the highest quality and designed to stand out.

The shower trays are made from the Silestone® Kador range, which is made of extremely durable quartz that is entirely impervious to stains and scratches. The colour chosen for the trays – Silestone® Blanco Zeus – was selected for the sense of cleanliness, hygiene and space it conveyed to the bathroom environment. Cosentino’s shower trays comply with DIN 51097:1992 standards, certifying their low slip risk.

The kitchen worktops of 72 units were made of Silestone® in Blanco Zeus, a quartz surface in pure white chosen to fill the kitchen with light and maintain a harmonious elegance in the space.

With its excellent quality, aesthetic beauty, and specific qualities of durability, low porosity, stain resistance and knock resistance, the ultracompact Silestone® surface is very suitable for use in a top performing kitchen and home. Silestone® is truly a surface that is a sector benchmark and industry leader, making it a natural choice for homes that prioritise both high functionality and beautiful design.

FARO® Introduces As-Built Software Platform For 3D Digital Modeling

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FARO, a trusted source for 3D measurement and imaging solutions for factory metrology and construction BIM, announces the availability of the FARO® As-Built software platform that enables efficient and cost-effective transfer of 3D reality capture into Autodesk® design tools to create ready to use CAD and Building Information Modeling (BIM) deliverables.

As-Built is specifically designed to minimise the effort and time required to create as-built documentation, which is the main task across AEC professionals in the building, facility and infrastructure design phases.

This comprehensive and innovative platform seamlessly integrates processed 3D data coming from the FARO SCENE software platform and can then support point cloud modelling (i.e. the set of data points acquired by a 3D laserscanner that are then displayed as a visual representation of an object or area) for the latest 2019 Autodesk® design tools. The FARO As-Built platform offers three powerful options:

  • As-Built for AutoCAD® Software
  • As-Built for Autodesk® Revit®
  • As-Built Suite – includes both As-Built for AutoCAD® Software and As-Built for Autodesk® Revit®

The full functionality of PointSense for AutoCAD® solutions, all previous standalone AutoCAD® plug-ins and PointSense for Revit®, respectively are now migrated into the As-Built platform. Additionally, As-Built is available across a broadseries of languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, English and German.

As-Built for AutoCAD® Software

  • Best in Class Usability: Users now have access to a common graphical user interface that provides a single entry point for all FARO features and functionality across the entire AutoCAD® platform. This enables new users to get upto speed quickly and immediately begin to leverage the power of As-Built.
  • Unique Performance and Value: AEC professionals benefit from a single point cloud-modelling platform that not only offers versatile tools that span different industries such as Architecture, Civil/Survey, Oil & Gas, and FacilityManagement but also total stations and UAV sensors. There is no longer a need to purchase or support separate total station software. Additionally, it is now easy to combine a terrestrial view with an aerial view that provides an evenbetter digital representation of the real world.

As-Built for Autodesk® Revit®

  • Confidence in Accuracy: As-Built for Autodesk® Revit®, like its predecessor PointSense for Revit®, accelerates Scan-To-BIM workflows and includes powerful features such as surface analysis by Levels of Accuracy standards asdefined by the U.S. Institute of Building Documentation, which enables users to more confidently validate the accuracy of the as-built model compared to the relevant point cloud.

“We have been uniquely focused on delivering 3D digital modeling solutions that address the key pain points of AEC professionals; specifically waste and project delays that lower productivity and increase operational costs,” statedAndreas Gerster, Vice President Global Construction BIM. “As-Built is both a powerful tool for Autodesk® users who use FARO Focus and Freestyle solutions and also for other 3rd party 3D imaging hardware products.”

GROHE SPA Opens First Flagship Store In Asia

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GROHE, the world’s leading brand in sanitary fittings, opens its first fully-owned and operated flagship store in Asia in March 2018. Located in the heart of Singapore’s main shopping belt, GROHE SPA aims to raise the bar in delighting and inspiring designers and consumers with a showcase of GROHE’s most innovative water technologies.

Covering over 6,000 square feet on two levels, visitors are invited to learn about the design inspiration behind GROHE’s award-winning collections and experience “Pure Freude an Wasser” (Pure Joy of Water).

“GROHE pursues the brand values of technology, quality, design and sustainability, seeking to develop new innovations that bring value to our consumers. In the same vein, we strive to up the ante on the retail front, making this showroom a stage where GROHE’s advancements in water technology are brought to life. More importantly, we aim to inspire and change the way consumers interact with our products,” said LIXIL Water Technology Asia CEO, Bijoy Mohan.

Be inspired by world-class luxurious bath sanctuaries
GROHE collections and products star in many of the world’s most luxurious spas and hotels. The store has recreated seven of these luxurious bathroom suites – each telling a unique design story and testifying to architects’, designers’ and developers’ preference for the brand. Consumers can walk through the bath sanctuaries to get inspired and learn more about the different products featured so as to create their personal hydrotherapy at home.

To experience the different shower sprays, GROHE SPA features live water areas where visitors can experience first-hand GROHE’s DreamSpray® technology. Consumers can also try GROHE’s Minta Touch in the live kitchen area where the tap can be turned on and off with a touch of the arm, leaving hands free to handle food in the kitchen.

Enhancing the brick-and-mortar experience, the store is equipped with smart technologies that help consumers and designers visualise and plan their selections. Tapping on virtual reality (VR) technology, GROHE SPA has a built-in Shower Configurator where consumers can customise their preferred shower system and experience how it comes together in function and design before making a purchase. Putting on a VR headset, consumers see their selections brought to life via projections to experience their shortlisted choices, all without actually getting wet.

Understanding that product information is key in purchase consideration, the store has implemented the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable immediate access via a mobile device. Visitors can learn more about each product displayed and get detailed specifications as they walk through the store, tagging products and emailing the desired information to themselves immediately.

Alternatively, they can also project their selections onto a 40-inch interactive touchscreen display interface to better understand each product and view how products have been used in hotel and housing projects from around the world.

thyssenkrupp’s TeleRetail Delivery Robot Debuts in the US

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thyssenkrupp’s TeleRetail delivery robot was among the technical innovations and vehicles presented at a US Senate Field Hearing, held on January 24th, 2018 at the Washington Auto Show 2018 in Washington D.C.

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, convened a hearing titled “Driving Automotive Innovation and Federal Policies” at the Washington Convention Center. The session focused on self-driving vehicles, and thyssenkrupp Elevator’s and TeleRetail’s groundbreaking delivery robot was named as a benchmark product.

“Fast growing American Metropolitan areas need intelligent solutions to cover the last mile in delivering spare parts to our technicians. In connection with TeleRetail we are testing autonomous vehicles to solve this growing logistical problem,” explains Ivo Siebers, Senior Vice President of Global Logistics at thyssenkrupp Elevator.

Self-driving vehicles already play a major role in the future of urban logistics – not in the shape of cars commuting people, but also in the shape of robots carrying and delivering goods. In collaboration with software developer TeleRetail, thyssenkrupp Elevator launched a pilot project in which delivery robots transport spare parts and other material to maintenance job sites. Perfect for maintaining elevators in a contemporary way, the robots represent the future of smart maintenance logistics, reinforcing thyssenkrupp Elevator’s position as a future-oriented mobility provider.

Every year, the Washington Auto Show wows audiences with its cutting-edge exhibits and advanced technologies. More than 600 new models from over 35 manufacturers impress visitors while providing a glimpse into the future of mobility. Attendees can view thyssenkrupp’s TeleRetail delivery robot at booth MTI1 right in front of saloon H.

For elevator and escalator servicing, spare parts are needed quickly and a technician either has to drive back to base in his or her service vehicle or have it delivered by a colleague. But with increased traffic clogging up city streets, the pressure on the supply chains is rapidly. “This is a major urbanisation challenge that our service technicians are already experiencing today,” continues Siebers. “With driverless delivery robots we could fill a gap and get spare parts from our warehouses to the job site faster, more efficiently and with less impact on the environment.”

The delivery robots are just 85-centimetres wide and are suitable for traveling on sidewalks, thereby avoiding road congestion. They can also reach inner-city areas where vehicular transport is limited, carrying payloads weighing up to 35 kg. Information on delivery status can be obtained quickly via an online Logistics Automation Platform. “We hope to improve our service delivery in this way,” adds Siebers.

TeleRetail is developing driverless delivery vehicles, and for thyssenkrupp Elevator they could be an optimal logistics solution for elevator servicing. The cloud-based driverless systems could form complete supply and logistics networks; a promising solution with enormous development potential.

“With our platform we want to optimise logistics by saving time and costs, and minimising space requirements, energy consumption and emissions,” says Torsten Scholl, CEO of TeleRetail Mobility Automation. “thyssenkrupp Elevator and TeleRetail are looking forward to conquering the emerging 3D logistics automation opportunities together.”

YORK YZ Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller is First Performance-Optimised Chiller With New, Low-GWP Refrigerant

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Johnson Controls recently introduced the YORK® YZ Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller, the first chiller fully optimised for ultimate performance with a next generation low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant – R-1233zd(E).

Chosen for its efficiency, safety, availability, low environmental impact and cost, nonflammable R-1233zd(E) has an ultra-low GWP of 1 and is readily available from refrigerant manufacturers.

“We have long led the industry in delivering chiller innovations,” said Laura Wand, vice president, Chiller Solutions, Building Technologies & Solutions at Johnson Controls. “With the new YORK® YZ, we have engineered the world’s most efficient low-GWP line of centrifugal chillers. Our broad range cooling capacity will serve our customers’ many diverse application needs.”

Johnson Controls used a holistic approach to system design and engineering, optimising every component around a carefully selected next generation refrigerant for ultimate performance. The YORK® YZ chiller uses an integral, variable speed drive and advanced magnetic bearing technology that features a single moving assembly suspended in a magnetic field that does not require lubrication.

This technology requires 80 percent fewer moving parts than traditional oil- or refrigerant-lubricated drivelines. The result is enhanced reliability, reduced maintenance and improved efficiency. Compared to traditional fixed-speed oil-bearing chillers, the YZ delivers up to 35 percent annual energy savings.

The YZ chiller can deliver significant energy savings and lower operating costs by taking advantage of the off-design conditions where chillers operate 99 percent of the time. The YZ operates with entering condenser water temperature as low as 40°F (4.5°C), providing enhanced performance in every operating condition and the widest operating envelope in the industry. The YORK® YZ uses an optimised single stage design to provide industry-leading real- world energy efficiency.

The chiller can also operate with condenser temperatures below the evaporator temperatures, eliminating the need for a water-side economiser, which simplifies the system, requires less mechanical room space and saves money on components, piping, controls and maintenance.

“We continue to deliver industry-leading chiller options that best meet the needs of our current and continually expanding customer base around the world,” said Bill Jackson, president, Global Products, Building Technologies & Solutions at Johnson Controls. “The YZ is another fantastic platform system that equips our customers with environmentally friendly performance in an optimised solution. Thank you to our YORK® Chiller team for leading the way.”

HVACR Vietnam 2018 Comes to Hanoi for 12th Edition

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HVACR Vietnam, the only focused and most established international industrial exhibition in the country, is coming to Hanoi for the first time for its 12th edition, on 18 – 20 April 2018 at the National Exhibition Construction Center (NECC), Hanoi.

HVACR Vietnam 2018 features a comprehensive showcase of the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Air Filtration & Purification, and Refrigeration technology and systems in the region.

The exhibition is set against a backdrop of emerging industry trends not only in the country but globally – seeing a paradigm shift in HVACR technologies, where majority of the changes are aimed at energy efficiency and higher energy performance.

For its 12th edition, the annual international exhibition will accentuate the energy efficient products and systems, delivering better ways to preserve our way of life, save the cost of the electricity and fuel, and aim for practical and sustainable implications.

As such, HVACR Vietnam 2018 proudly presents a special feature – “Guide to Building Energy-Efficient Homes and Offices”, demonstrating the key components and features of energy efficient construction that can be incorporated to modern smart homes and automated offices. These appliances and technologies are implemented to lower energy expenditure, improve indoor air quality, enhance home and office comfort, reduce air and moisture infiltration, and increase the durability of the property as a long-term investment.

This special showcase will be guided and led by Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC), the strategic partner for HVACR Vietnam 2018. VGBC is an international non-profit organisation, established in 2007 with the aim to raise awareness and build capacity for the development of green building in the country.

Apart from bringing the industry together to address the requirements of the region’s demand amid emerging industry trends, HVACR Vietnam 2018 also allows industry experts to explore business opportunities, source for latest products and solutions, and network with other professionals in the field.

HVACR Vietnam 2018 is targeted at the professionals within the industrial sector, including the following industries: building and construction, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, retailers, trade associations, water and waste management.

Companies in the HVACR industry looking to expand their business in Vietnam and the region are welcome to register to exhibit at www.hvacrseries.com/vietnam.