ASHRAE held a discussion on the topic, ‘District Energy for Urban Development’ from September 21 to 22 in Egypt. It followed that with the Chapters Regional Conference (CRC) of the Region-at-Large from September 23 to 24, also in Egypt.

The discussion on District Energy was a comprehensive one. It involved regional and international experts, who spoke in the context of sustainable development, institutionalisation and regulation. The speakers also provided a presentation of District Energy-related case studies.

The conference was held under the patronage of H.E. Eng. Sherif Ismael, Prime Minister of Egypt, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development; District Energy in Cities Initiative and the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy.

Dr Ahmed Alaa Eldin Mohamed, ASHRAE’s Assistant Regional Chair, while speaking exclusively to Climate Control Middle East, noted that the conference was received well by the international speakers and has even ignited interest in the funding of District Cooling projects in Egypt. “The conclusion was very positive,” he said.

Dr Alaa noted that while a majority of the attendees were from different chapters of ASHRAE, the conference also saw a large number of consultants, contractors and developers. The meeting, he said, served as encouragement for future gatherings of its kind.

The conference took place only a few days following the launch of ASHRAE’s Global Training Centre for Building Excellence in Dubai. The back-to-back events, Dr Alaa said, helped further reinforce ASHRAE’s position in the Middle East region. He added that much of the success of the conference was largely owing to the support of the various ministries.

“We have more exposure in the region than before,” Dr Alaa said, “because most of the governments in the GCC region are willing to have these codes and standards enforced in local standards.”