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Solar Charging Tables

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Mobile technology is such an essential aspect of modern life, properties must support more mobile charging devices than ever before. Still, finding a comfortable area to recharge outside can be difficult. ConnecTable solar table charging stations are a unique way to address these problems.

Dotted around college campuses throughout the U.S. are students sitting at outdoor tables that include a solar panel canopy.  While doing classwork, they can access the internet, recharge their phones and computers and socialize with other students.

These are attractive, extremely durable tables, forged from structural steel with a sleek architectural look.  Placed in highly trafficked areas without access to electrical outlets, they make a bold, green statement about a campus or a corporate facility.  The tables fit well into the work and lifestyle choices of people who like to get out of the classroom or office and work outside, in natural light and good weather.

New ConnecTable installations can be found at The Savannah Technical college, Albemarle High School (the company’s first high school install) and at AT&T’s Mexico flagship store in an upscale shopping, Class A office and residential district.

Convenient Solar That Makes a Statement

The aesthetic appeal of the ConnecTable is matched by its performance. These self-ballast mounted, solar table charging stations with both USB & 120V charging capabilities are topped with commercial-grade high-power panels that provide superior solar harvest while generating sustainable energy.

Designed and manufactured for a long service life, the ConnecTable requires little to no maintenance, is highly resistant to vandalism, and is the only table on the market with 100% fabricated structural steel base construction, giving it a 90 mph wind rating.

Staying connected in public spaces

ConnecTable solar table charging stations utilize truly off-grid, solar technology to meet the increasing consumer demand for outdoor mobile device charging in public spaces. In a world that relies on constant connectivity, public areas with little-to-no access to the grid often go underutilized.

Whatever the season or weather, the high-capacity battery, charged by the solar modules, reliably performs overnight and through multiple overcast and inclement weather days, assuring that anyone, anywhere can rely on their ConnecTable to power their electronic devices in comfortable convenience.

Easy Installation in less than one day

The ConnecTable will be a statement to feature during campus tours, and will attract the attention of visitors to the school. “Going green” has never been so simple – a half day installation of ConnecTable solar charging stations can help universities get on the path to carbon neutrality.

Many existing school “green funds” provide for projects like the tables because of the sustainable benefits they offer. Businesses who donate tables to the school as a gift may be eligible for tax incentives. CarrierClass Green Infrastructure is committed to helping a campus find the most cost-effective way to decrease its carbon footprint through the installation of ConnecTable solar charging tables.

Depending on your geographical location, corporate campuses, shopping centers and other commercial buyers can use the 30% renewable energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for purchase of ConnecTables.

 

New anti-solar paint enables 50% cost reduction

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New cost-effective anti-solar paint named X Cool.

New cost-effective anti-solar paint named X Cool.

Singapore’s temperature has risen by more than double the global average rate over the past six decades, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore. To combat the rising heat and high electricity consumption from the overuse of air-conditioning, Singapore’s Ngee Ann Polytechnic researchers have developed a new cost-effective anti-solar paint named X Cool.

 

Comparison with market alternatives

Developed over two years of rigorous testing, this new anti-solar paint is the first to not require a primer before application, enabling cost reductions of up to 50% compared to market alternatives. With this new innovation, the overall temperatures of buildings will be reduced by at least 5°C, lowering electricity consumption in the process.

Current anti-solar paints are highly-flammable, sensitive to mildew, emit high levels of toxic gases, and have poor weather resistance. With a formulation that addresses all these drawbacks, the eSolar-Shield is a game changer in creating a more sustainable Singapore.

X Cool is a heat-reduction water based paint that features a non-toxic formulation with fire-resistant properties. It is developed and manufactured in Singapore, and can help to significantly lower the internal temperature of buildings. It can also be applied on a wide variety of surfaces. The paint has also been duly tested and approved by building consultants, and proven to be both fungus and weathering free.

The anti-solar paint is used on the building façade to offer shielding for buildings warmed by solar heat during daylight hours.

 

Commercially attractive

The project has successfully-attracted commercial interest from five companies. The team is currently working with a local start-up, SPRING Singapore and Building Construction Authority to testbed the anti-solar paint. A trial test with Tan Tock Seng Hospital will be conducted to study the effectiveness of anti-solar paint in combatting moulding on hospital walls.

 

COGfx Study Shows Better Thinking, Better Health in Green-Certified Buildings

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Working in green-certified buildings was associated with higher cognitive function scores, fewer sick building symptoms and higher sleep quality scores.

Working in green-certified buildings was associated with higher cognitive function scores, fewer sick building symptoms and higher sleep quality scores.

Considering all the time we spend at work, have you ever wondered if the building you are working in is healthy? Or, could make you think better, or be more productive?

Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and SUNY Upstate Medical University didn’t just wonder, they set out to answer those questions. Studying 109 workers at 10 buildings in 5 cities across the U.S., they discovered that working in green-certified buildings was associated with higher cognitive function scores, fewer sick building symptoms and higher sleep quality scores.

The study builds on the team’s 2015 COGfx Study– COGfx is shorthand for your brain’s cognitive function – which found significantly higher cognitive function test scores for office workers in a simulated green building environment with enhanced ventilation compared to a conventional building environment.

In the new study, presented pre-publication at the U.S. Green Building Council’s annual Greenbuild conference in L.A., employees in high-performing, green-certified buildings had 26 percent higher cognitive function test scores than those in similarly high-performing buildings that were not green certified, even after controlling for other potential explanatory factors. Among the findings, participants had:

  • 73 percent higher crisis response scores
  • 44 percent higher applied activity level scores, which reflect ability to gear decision- 
making toward overall goals
  • 38 percent higher focused activity level scores, which reflect capacity to pay attention 
to tasks at hand
  • 31 percent higher strategy scores

In addition to these statistically significant findings, the study also found that employees reported 30 percent fewer sick building symptoms and had 6 percent higher sleep quality scores compared to those working in high-performing buildings that were not green-certified, indicating that benefits of green buildings may extend beyond the workday.

“Certified green buildings not only deliver environmental benefits, they can have positive impacts on the productivity and thinking of the people in those buildings. That’s a powerful combination that can accelerate the green building movement globally,” said John Mandyck, Chief Sustainability Officer, United Technologies.

Based on their latest findings, the research team believes a holistic approach is needed. “We’re advocating for what we call Buildingomics – a new approach that examines the totality of factors in the building-related environment,” said Dr. Joseph Allen, Assistant Professor of Exposure Assessment Science at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Director of the Healthy Buildings Program at the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Chan School, and Principal Investigator for the study.

“Through Buildingomics’ multi-disciplinary approach, we aim to better understand the factors that influence health in buildings and unlock the ability to optimise buildings for improved cognitive function and health,” said Dr. Allen.

The full report – “The Impact of Working in a Green Certified Building on Cognitive Function and Health” – will be made available HERE and HERE.

Follow the discussion on Twitter using #TheCOGfxStudy.

Engineering Brilliance Lands Singapore Engineers Regional Honours at CAFEO 2016

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Innovative Floating Wetlands @ Punggol. Image courtesy of www.hdb.gov.sg

Innovative Floating Wetlands @ Punggol. Image courtesy of www.hdb.gov.sg

A record number of six engineering projects clinched the prestigious ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards 2016 at the 34th Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO34) on 23 November 2016, at Palawan, Philippines, out of a total of 34 winners from the region. AFEO also conferred five engineering champions and leaders from Singapore with the AFEO Honorary Fellowship title at the ceremony.

Presented by AFEO, a non-governmental organisation affiliated to the ASEAN Secretariat, the annual awards salute engineering achievements distinctive in their demonstration of outstanding engineering skills and significant contributions to the engineering progress and the quality of life amongst the ASEAN countries.

The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) had selected these projects out of the 13 winners of the IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards 2016 for nomination to the AFEO awards. The winning projects are:

  •  A Biophilic Waterway@Punggol – Innovative Floating Wetlands and Freshwater-Tolerant Mangroves by Housing Development Board (HDB)
  • Development of Semakau Landfill Phase II by National Environment Agency (NEA)
  • Galassia – NUS First Nanosatellite by National University of Singapore (NUS)
  • The Future of Auditing: Early Detection & Prevention of Significant Trading Irregularities by A*STAR, Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) and Group Audit, DBS Bank Ltd
  • Highly Flexible and Wearable Sensors for Real-Time Healthcare Monitoring Applications by NUS
  • Seeing is believing: from Microscope to Nanoscope by NUS and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)

“All the winners highly deserve to be applauded for their contributions as their work have made remarkable impact to the quality of life of the people in Singapore. IES is pleased to be a conduit for their work to be recognised by AFEO and hope that the awards will inspire them to bring about far-reaching positive impact to communities across ASEAN,” said Er. Edwin Khew, President of IES.

The ceremony also observed the conferring of the AFEO Honorary Fellowship title upon five distinguished persons from Singapore. Each of them has been exemplary in rendering outstanding and meritorious services to the engineering profession, IES and Singapore. They are:

  • Er. Chong Kee Sen – Immediate Past President, IES
  • Prof. Quek Tong Boon – Advisor, DSO National Laboratories; Chief Executive, National Robotics Programme; and Chief Defence Scientist, Ministry of Defence till June 2016
  • Prof. Low Teck Seng – CEO, National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office
  • Mr. Chua Chong Kheng – Deputy CEO, Land Transport Authority
  • Mr. Lee Fook Sun – President, Singapore Technologies Electronics Ltd

IES and various Singapore engineering representatives attended CAFEO34 in Palawan from 21 to 24 November 2016. Since 1982, the annual CAFEO has been hosted in different ASEAN member countries to promote goodwill, understanding, cooperation and exchange of ideas and experiences in the fields of education, science, engineering, technology, environment, human resource, training and registration of professional engineers.

MHE-Demag Opens Southeast Asia’s Largest Crane Manufacturing Plant

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The Bukit Raja manufacturing facility is also a showcase of MHE-Demag’s innovative solutions.

The Bukit Raja manufacturing facility is also a showcase of MHE-Demag’s innovative solutions.

MHE-Demag, a joint venture between Terex MHPS GmbH and Jebsen & Jessen (SEA) Pte Ltd, has officially opened its largest manufacturing and warehouse facility in Bukit Raja, Malaysia. Developed at a cost of RM45 million, the facility can operate at a capacity of 200,000 production hours a year, a 54 percent increase from the previous site. The facility is also expected to support the fabricated metal products and machinery & equipment industries; two key areas that have been identified as drivers for the manufacturing sector to attain its projected growth of 5.1 percent per annum.

With a built-up area of close to 15,000 square metres sitting on over 26,000 square metres of land, the plant is also the largest and first-of-its kind crane manufacturing facility in Malaysia and the region. Capable of building cranes of up to 50-meter span, this plant will primarily serve customers from Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Myanmar and Singapore, who hail from various industrial sectors where lifting, moving and maintenance of materials or machineries are required.

Mr Karl Tilkorn, Regional Managing Director, MHE-Demag, said, “This investment cements MHE-Demag’s commitment to Malaysia over the past 40 years, and is an important step forward for us. This plant is the largest and most modern of our eleven manufacturing facilities across the Southeast Asian region. Each industrial crane needs to be individually designed and custom fabricated, hence the larger production facility along with state-of-the- art equipment will allow us to maintain our leadership position to meet the high standards required by our growing customer portfolio, particularly with the prestigious projects we have secured.”

The facility will also host MHE-Demag’s Regional Training Centre, where employees and customers throughout the Group will attend skills training and upgrading programmes to ensure excellence in operations, maintenance and safety for industrial cranes is maintained. The factory has also been built in reference to the Malaysian Green Building Index, incorporating the most environmentally friendly solutions.

Mr. Frankie Chan, Managing Director of MHE-Demag Malaysia said, “We have put a lot of focus on creating conducive work areas that have a low impact on the environment. This includes building for natural ventilation and employee well-being; from utilising translucent panels to allow for extensive natural light to investing in ergonomic workstations. Our Regional Director, Mr. Joergen Moeller, also personally managed the construction process of this manufacturing facility from design to final stage. I strongly believe the new factory will enhance employee comfort and increase their motivation, leading to greater customer satisfaction.”

. Leading MHE-Demag material handling products such as lift trucks, dock levellers, aerial work platforms, building maintenance systems for safe working at heights, as well as automated car parking systems are employed in industrial applications throughout this facility.

Easily accessible via the North Klang Valley Expressway, Federal Highway, the New North Klang Straits Bypass and the new proposed Coastal Highway, the Bukit Raja manufacturing facility also connect to major ports such as Port Klang, Northport and West Port within 30 minutes.

Besides Bukit Raja, MHE-Demag has another manufacturing facility at Simpang Renggam, Johor, and twelve sales & service offices within Malaysia. In addition, a service depot is also established in KLCC.

Paya Lebar Quarter Urban Regeneration Project by Lendlease Set to Transform Paya Lebar

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Artist's impression of Paya Lebar Quarter. Image courtesy of www.payalebarquarter.com

Artist’s impression of Paya Lebar Quarter. Image courtesy of www.payalebarquarter.com

Lendlease, an international property solutions provider with over 40 years’ experience in Singapore, recently unveiled Paya Lebar Quarter, an urban regeneration mixed- use development bringing together progressive workplaces, dining, shopping and generous green public spaces. The project is set to catalyse the area’s regeneration into a bustling, pedestrian- friendly new city precinct while retaining its cultural richness.

 

Expected to be completed in phases with retail and commercial in H2 2018 and residential in H1, 2019, Paya Lebar Quarter will be a significant landmark of Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) 12-hectare Paya Lebar Central, the most centrally located regional commercial hub in Singapore.

 

Located just 10 minutes from the CBD by car or train, the 3.9 hectare Paya Lebar Quarter development enjoys excellent connectivity with direct connections to the Paya Lebar MRT interchange. Aligned with Singapore’s vision to be a car-lite city, Paya Lebar Quarter is one of the first developments to incorporate a cycling path within the precinct that facilitates a continuous connection to the wider Park Connector Network. Office occupants will also have access to end-of- trip-facilities, making active commuting to work, such as cycling, a reality.

 

“Urban regeneration is a key pillar of Lendlease’s strategy and it comprises over 70 percent of Lendlease’s S$49.3 billion international development pipeline. With its central location, Paya Lebar Quarter will lead the way in regenerating the area and will turn it into a vibrant hub offering a new and dynamic city life,” said Mr Richard Paine, Managing Director of Paya Lebar Quarter.

 

The Paya Lebar Quarter architecture responds to the area’s heritage with inspiration drawn from the intricate weaving patterns of the Songket, a traditional brocade textile of the Malay culture; the design language and gold-and-silver colour palette for the façade seek to unify the buildings and public areas to seamlessly weave the seven buildings into a single tapestry.

 

From the start of the planning for Paya Lebar Quarter, Lendlease has been closely engaged with community stakeholders, ensuring that its design enables social inclusivity and builds community heartware, an increasingly important consideration as cities urbanise.

 

One of the signature features of Paya Lebar Quarter is the generous provision of 100,000 square feet of green public spaces (the size of more than 20 basketball courts). These public spaces will be where the community can bond and build a network of relationships through spontaneous interactions, collective celebrations and new friendships among those who live, work and play at Paya Lebar Quarter. There will be a covered outdoor event space, which will also help enhance a strong community spirit and culture by hosting large scale celebratory, festive and community events.

One of the signature features of Paya Lebar Quarter is the generous provision of 100,000 square feet of green public spaces. Image courtesy of www.payalebarquarter.com

One of the signature features of Paya Lebar Quarter is the generous provision of 100,000 square feet of green public spaces. Image courtesy of www.payalebarquarter.com

 

“We are glad that the distinctive cultural heritage and community spirit of this area is reflected in Paya Lebar Quarter,” said Prof Fatimah Lateef, Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the ward of Geylang Serai. She added, “The development complements and adds to the revitalisation of the precinct as well as the dynamism of the area. It will complement the adjacent development of Wisma Geylang Serai, due for completion in 2018. This area will be a new place for the community to hangout and to own. It is befitting as a location in the Geylang-Paya Lebar sub-regional centre.”

Progressive and Creative Place-making
Paya Lebar Quarter will serve a working population of 22,000 in the local catchment area within 7 minutes’ walk and approximately one million residents in the trade area. When the wider Paya Lebar Central precinct is fully developed, Paya Lebar Quarter is expected to have 52,000* workers in its immediate catchment.

Mall:
The Paya Lebar Quarter mall will be the social heart of a vibrant Paya Lebar retail precinct, with over 200 retail shops offering a multitude of exciting indoor and parkside dining, lifestyle and fashion options for residents, office executives and shoppers. NTUC FairPrice Finest and Kopitiam are the first two anchor tenants to sign up at Paya Lebar Quarter mall, taking over 22,000 sq ft and 15,000 sq ft of space respectively.

Workplace:
Three Grade A office towers with close to one million square feet of high quality work space will be within the development. These offices are designed for businesses that embrace a progressive work culture that promotes collaboration, health and wellbeing, flexibility and productivity.

Residences:
Park Place Residences at Paya Lebar Quarter comprises three towers with 429 units that offer residents a private sanctuary in a vibrant and centrally located city precinct. Residents can enjoy a connected city lifestyle with easy access to a myriad of amenities, activities and green public spaces.

Building a Green, Active, Engaged Precinct
Paya Lebar Quarter’s sustainability vision focuses on building an Active, Green and Engaged environment for people who live, work and play there. The development is on track towards being the first development to achieve the BCA Green Mark 2015 Platinum rating. In addition, the project has also incorporated evidence-based design strategies across the precinct to enhance occupant health and wellbeing.

“Lendlease has always had a reputation as a sustainability leader. In FY15, we have received 69 awards recognizing our global environmental and social leadership,” said Mr Paine.

For more information, visuals and a preview of how Paya Lebar Quarter will lead the transformation of Paya Lebar into a dynamic business and lifestyle hub, please visit www.payalebarquarter.com.

BEX Asia and MCE Asia 2016 Fulfil Industry’s Call for Climate Change Solutions

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As Southeast Asia’s leading green conventions, BEX and MCE Asia provided excellent touch points for industry stakeholders looking to gain a competitive edge.

As Southeast Asia’s leading green conventions, BEX and MCE Asia provided excellent touch points for industry stakeholders looking to gain a competitive edge.

Against a backdrop of heightened environmental sustainability and growing market demand for green events, exemplary trade shows Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia and Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) Asia 2016 concluded on a high note, bringing together a total of 11,976 visitors across 57 countries over three days from 7 to 9 September, 2016 – an 8 percent increase in participation from 2015.

Held during the Singapore Green Building Week, the ninth edition of BEX and second edition of MCE Asia played host to 450 exhibiting companies from 27 countries and regions, including China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, and United States. 48 industry practitioners also shared insights on multiple verticals crucial to advancing the sustainability agenda at complementary seminars, Green View and MostraXchange. Topics discussed included renewable energy, green architectures, smart technologies and energy efficient solutions, as well as the often neglected heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

As Southeast Asia’s leading green conventions, BEX and MCE Asia provided excellent touch points for industry stakeholders looking to gain a competitive edge and stand out in an increasingly saturated market. Reed Exhibitions recognises this and with its refreshed Business Concierge programme, facilitated a total of 373 business meetings, with more than US$130 million expected in green building business transactions.

Louise Chua, Business Development Director and Project Director, Reed Exhibitions, the organiser for BEX and MCE Asia 2016, said, “In line with the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore’s recent efforts to encourage building users and owners to play a bigger role in the green building industry, we’re very proud to have created a platform through BEX and MCE Asia where the various stakeholders can come together to have a better understanding and awareness to transform spaces and buildings to be more environmentally-friendly.”

Echoing similar sentiments is returning BEX Asia exhibitor, Big Ass Solutions.David Williams, General Manager, Big Ass Solutions said, “BEX Asia was a great opportunity for us to highlight our energy efficient, smart building technologies like our fans and lighting to key stakeholders. We were able to build on existing business relationships, as well as forge new connections within the industry.”

The ninth edition of BEX and second edition of MCE Asia played host to 450 exhibiting companies from 27 countries and regions.

The ninth edition of BEX and second edition of MCE Asia played host to 450 exhibiting companies from 27 countries and regions.

In the same vein, returning exhibitor, Florence Chan, Managing Director of Camfil said “Speaking at the Green View seminar allowed us to go beyond our product offerings and sustain discussions on issues that plague the region such as the recurring haze situation, which emphasizes the importance of having not just timely and efficient solutions, but innovative ones.”

Over at MCE Asia, the spotlight continues to be shone on how buildings’ cooling systems need to be improved and properly maintained to achieve energy efficiency. Said Markus Yang, CEO of Eura Drives, “With a focus on all things related to the HVAC-R sector, MCE Asia provides a much needed sharing platform for knowledge and expertise on heating and cooling systems.

Added Daniel Testar, Chief Representative, Reflex Winkelmann, “As the only edition in Asia, MCE Asia presents us with a unique launch pad to position ourselves in key Asian markets and reach out to stakeholders in the tropical belt region.”

BEX Asia and MCE Asia are the anchor events of the Singapore Green Building Week, alongside the International Green Building Conference (IGBC) organized by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA). The next editions of BEX Asia and MCE Asia will be held from 13 to 15 September, 2017.

More information about the Singapore Green Building Week, International Green Building Conference, BEX and MCE Asia 2016 is available at www.sgbw.com.sg, www.bex-asia.com and www.mcexpocomfort-asia.com.

Siemens, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and Citi Launch Report Outlining New Mechanisms to Boost Large-Scale Capital for Climate Action In Cities

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Globally, cities need to invest US$57 trillion in infrastructure in order to accommodate both their existing needs and projected growth.

Globally, cities need to invest US$57 trillion in infrastructure in order to accommodate both their existing needs and projected growth.

Globally, cities need to invest US$57 trillion in infrastructure in order to accommodate both their existing needs and projected growth. To finance this, a global effort by nations, banks, cities and the private sector is needed, according to a new report by Siemens, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) and Citi.

Launched at the World Cities Summit 2016 in Singapore, “New Perspectives on Climate Finance for Cities” provides insights on potential financing options for climate change programs and projects in cities, the lead times and steps required to access different types of climate finance, and the lessons learned from cities around the globe.

“Following the historic Paris climate agreement, we must now take bold action to protect our planet for future generations. The only way to do this is dramatically increasing climate financing and attracting more investments,” said Mr. Seth Schultz, C40’s Director of Research, Management and Planning. “By providing an introduction for cities seeking to understand climate finance options, this report is a first step in that direction. It identifies possible routes for supporting climate-related projects and programs, including bonds, where the market in labeled green bonds has risen substantially from $0.8 billion in 2007 to $42 billion in 2015.”

Transformative financing options
To maximise impact, the report recommends six innovative financing mechanisms – and likely finance providers – for mobilising investment for cities and looks at the benefits and challenges of each approach.

Emission trading schemes: According to the report, 12 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are covered through regional, national and sub-national trading schemes. Whilst emissions trading schemes offer flexibility, they can be vulnerable to unexpected economic impact.

Green bonds are useful for funding large infrastructure or aggregated programs over the medium to long term. In fact, many cities are now looking at issuing their own green labeled bonds following the pioneering efforts of Gothenburg and Johannesburg.

International Financial Institutions (IFI) and agency finance have broad policies to support certain sectors and market development. In some cases, IFIs may invest in projects that are considered too risky by commercial banks.

International and regional climate funds: The Green Climate Fund, for example, has over US$10 billion to invest in the developing world. More city governments are also establishing their own funds to attract other sources of financing to private sector projects.

City government-backed funds can de-risk or open up new markets where the private sector is unwilling to lend directly on its own. With this approach, cities can ensure that funding is directed towards their own priorities.

Equity capital: Institutional investors alone are managing US$71 trillion of assets in the OECD. Some cities are providing equity to projects to encourage further private sector funding as debt or equity.

“New financing models can support sustainable infrastructure development and corresponding investments in cities,” said Mr. Kenneth Hsi Jung Koo, Deputy General Manager and Citi Chief Representative, Citi Orient Securities. “The key is to understand and embrace new approaches to infrastructure and devise enabling financing solutions that will benefit each city according to its specific needs and economic situation.”

The scaling up of climate finance is an iterative process that requires national governments to create conducive strategies, policies, and regulatory frameworks to allow public-private collaborations.

Underscoring the importance of partnerships, Mr. Martin Powell, Head of Urban Development at Siemens Global Center of Competence for Cities, said: “This joint report between C40, Citi and Siemens, provides a spring board for urgently-needed financing solutions and captures the synergistic efforts of the most innovative climate actions taken by cities around the world. Siemens has been instrumental in driving successful infrastructure projects around the world by providing business-to-business financial solutions and intelligent infrastructure to cities.”

SUEZ launches AQUADVANCED(R) Urban Drainage, an innovative waste and storm water solution

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spring-rain-2-1427535-640x960

Stormwater is responsible for 50% of the pollution flowing into rivers and beaches in urban areas.

Faced with urban population growth, global warming and changing regulations, optimising the performance of sewer and stormwater networks is a priority for local authorities. Responding to this challenge, SUEZ is launching AQUADVANCED® Urban Drainage[1], a digital solution that allows local authorities to monitor in real time their sewer and stormwater networks to mitigate the risk of flooding and to control the quality of discharges into the natural environment.

Optimising The Performance Of Sewer And Stormwater Networks: A Challenge For Local Authorities

Rising urbanisation and the increase of impermeable surfaces in urban areas have reduced the natural infiltration of stormwater into the soil to 15%. The remaining 85% flows on the surface, collecting the residues deposited on roofs and roads (fuel, heavy metals, plastics, etc.). Local authorities are faced with the challenge of collecting these polluted waters in the sewerage networks, and of treating them later into wastewater treatment plants to reduce the risks of severe flooding, human and material damage and pollution of the natural ecosystem. Stormwater is responsible for 50% of the pollution flowing into rivers and beaches in urban areas.

AQUADVANCED® Urban Drainage To Better Manage Sewer And Stormwater Systems, Prevent Flooding And Preserve The Quality Of The Receiving Water Bodies

In response to these challenges, SUEZ is launching AQUADVANCED® Urban Drainage, a digital solution that helps local authorities to manage their sewer and stormwater systems. The tool allows to choose the solution that best meets their needs, from the monitoring of an environment (rivers, the sea, sewerage networks), to the anticipation of flooding events and pollution of the natural environment, and the predictive and dynamic management of the complete sewerage system.

AQUADVANCED® Urban Drainage provides a global, real-time vision of the complete system, based on data from sensors installed both in the network and in the environment (rivers, watercourses, etc.) and on short-term weather forecasts. By centralising and analysing all these data, the software solution can anticipate the hydraulic performance of the network (saturated storage capacities, volumes to be treated, etc.) or of the natural ecosystem (risk of pollution or overflowing watercourses). For certain sewerage systems, the tool can also calculate the best control strategy, and automatically and remotely monitor the system’s facilities (storage reservoirs, pumping stations, etc.).

AQUADVANCED® Urban Drainage anticipates the risk of untreated wastewater overflowing into the natural ecosystem, monitors the quality of discharge on a daily basis and helps to protect the environment. Deploying this system can cut the volumes of stormwater that flow into rivers or the sea by up to 45%.

Presented at the Singapore International Water Week (10-14 July), where it is currently being deployed, AQUADVANCED® Urban Drainage has been already introduced in eight European cities, including Bordeaux, the Paris conurbation, Marseille and Barcelona.

Leader on the Smart Water market in Europe, SUEZ is complementing its offer to support local authorities in the sustainable management of resources with this management software dedicated to optimise sewer and stormwater networks’ performance. AQUADVANCED® Urban Drainage completes the existing software offer for the drinking water networks, named AQUADVANCED® Water Networks.

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[1] AQUADVANCED® is a registered trademark or a trademark under pending application.

Buildtech Yangon 2016 Meets Needs of Myanmar’s Building and Construction Sector

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BuildTech Yangon is the leading trade show of its kind.

BuildTech Yangon is the leading trade show of its kind.

The third edition of BuildTech Yangon concluded on May 28, 2016 after three days of trade discussions, commercial engagements and extensive knowledge sharing among some 3,000 trade visitors and business professionals from the region. Organised by Sphere Exhibits, a subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), and co-organised by the Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association (MCEA), BuildTech Yangon is the leading trade show of its kind focusing on the entire value chain for the built environment sector.

H.E Zae Aye Maung, Minister for Rakhine Affairs Ministry and Labour Affairs, Immigration and Manpower Ministry, Government of Yangon Region, graced the opening ceremony of the trade show. Designed specifically to meet the needs of the burgeoning building and construction industry in Myanmar, BuildTech Yangon 2016 saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between MCEA’s Mandalay Chapter and Sphere Exhibits to co-organise the inaugural staging of BuildTech Mandalay later this year. This extended collaboration further reinforces a stronger alliance between the two organisations in their efforts to extend the knowledge building and trade opportunities to industry professionals in Myanmar.

Positive response for integrated show and skills upgrading platform
The show hosted some 80 exhibiting companies from Austria, China, Indonesia, Korea, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, each of which offered a range of products, services and solutions for four key areas: Onsite construction machinery and equipment, building materials and architectural solutions, interior finishing and facilities management.

Visitors were able to check out various products and cutting edge technology put on display.

Visitors were able to check out various products and cutting edge technology put on display.

Industry professionals who visited the show included architects, developers, building and trade agency representatives, investors, manufacturers of machine and building, retailers, security, state-owned company owners, surveyors, trainers and wholesalers.

Ms. Nicole Zycinski Singh, General Manager of Killem Pest Pte Ltd, said: “We are very happy with our experience exhibiting at this year’s BuildTech Yangon. The organisers have done a fantastic job in coming up with a focused event and in attracting quality visitors. For a homegrown company with little experience in the Indochina market, we have received very good responses from potential buyers, several of whom have already enquired about our services. We will definitely consider returning for the next edition of BuildTech Yangon.”

The complimentary Business Seminar Series, which took place from May 26 to 28, 2016 focused on the following topics:

  • Construction safety
  • Working at heights
  • Fire safety and disaster management
  • Sustainability
  • Energy efficiency in green buildings
  • Security and town planning
  • Special economic zones
  • The investment outlook in Myanmar
  • Construction law
  • Sustainable and responsible urban design and building management
  • Infrastructure management

Young Construction Entrepreneurs Award
BuildTech Yangon also played host to MCEA’s Golden 20 Jubilee Gala, which hosted 250 guests on May 26, 2016. Three of Myanmar’s young construction entrepreneurs were presented with Diamond, Platinum and Silver awards under two categories: Professionals under 10 Years and Professionals Above 10 Years for successfully incorporating the latest construction technologies into various stages of the supply chain.

The show welcomed 3,000 trade visitors and business professionals from the region.

The show welcomed 3,000 trade visitors and business professionals from the region.

BuildTech Yangon 2016 was supported by the International Facilities Management Association (Singapore Chapter), International Powered Access Federation, Malaysia Heavy Construction Equipment Owners Association, Myanmar Engineering Council, Myanmar Engineering Society, Myanmar Industries Association, Singapore Institute of Building Limited, Vietnam Electronics Industry Association, Vietnam Federation of Civil Engineering Association, World Evergreen Travel & Tours and WSH (Asia).

Mr. U Tha Htay, President of Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association (MCEA), said, “We are happy to receive good feedback from both exhibitors and trade visitors. The third edition of BuildTech Yangon delivered a more focused event that was very well received by the attendees. Its newly revamped platform for the industry, consisting of an extensive product showcase, fruitful networking sessions and specialised seminar programmes, successfully catered to the needs of Myanmar’s industry progression in providing right balance for the progression of the building and construction sector in Myanmar.”

The fourth edition of BuildTech Yangon will take place in May 2017. For more information, visit www.btyangon.com/en.