BRUGINE, Italy, 5 February 2026: CAREL said it will present what it describes as its tangible, measurable and results-oriented vision of sustainability at EuroShop 2026, focused on making energy efficiency a practical tool for generating value throughout the entire store. Making the announcement through a Press Release, CAREL said this approach goes beyond individual applications to encompass a system logic that brings refrigeration, HVAC, lighting and energy together into a single coordinated ecosystem.

CAREL said the heart of this proposal is the Total Store concept, which it highlights allows customers to optimise overall store performance through system integration and centralised data management. The company said that plug & play electrical panels, local control systems and advanced software platforms are used in combination to acquire, organise and analyse operational information, laying the foundation for continuous improvement in terms of energy and operational performance.

CAREL said tangible sustainability is also expressed through high-efficiency solutions for plug-in and semi-plug-in units that form part of the integrated HEOS Pro ecosystem. The company said this solution combines a dedicated controller, an intuitive interface configurable by app, enhanced connectivity and a chain of components designed to work in synergy. CAREL added that continuous capacity control, made possible by the integration of inverters and rotary compressors with permanent magnet motors, ensures that unit operation adapts dynamically to actual operating conditions, reducing energy consumption and improving temperature stability and acoustic comfort.

CAREL said the system is designed to handle natural refrigerants such as CO₂ and R-290 and added that it offers application flexibility and reduced environmental impact through a refrigerant-neutral approach that allows different technologies to be adopted without altering the basic architecture.

CAREL said the connectivity via Bluetooth, NFC and Ethernet enables rapid configuration, real-time diagnostics and integration with supervisory systems, which the company said simplifies installation, maintenance and software updates. CAREL said HEOS Pro therefore represents, in its view, not just a refrigeration solution but a high-efficiency ecosystem intended to turn sustainability into a tangible and measurable result directly in the store.

CAREL said a key role is also played by its Site Performance Optimisation services, which it said combine its specialist skills and artificial intelligence to remotely monitor and optimise hundreds of sites simultaneously. CAREL added that advanced data analytics can reduce energy consumption, limit alarms, prevent malfunctions and improve food preservation, with what the company described as measurable benefits even in the short term and a quick return on investment.

CAREL said that, with its proposal for Euroshop 2026, the company confirms its vision in which sustainability is not an abstract goal, but rather a tangible result achieved through technology, services and expertise that make energy a true asset for retail operators.

DUBAI, UAE, 4 February 2026: Empower said H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower), met with the leadership of the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) on the sidelines of the company’s participation in the 2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference held in Las Vegas. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Empower said the meeting reviewed developments in the global District Cooling sector and discussed what it described as the growing role of District Cooling in advancing energy efficiency and supporting the sustainability objectives of modern cities.

Empower said the meeting was attended by William McQuade, President, ASHRAE, alongside Jeff Littleton, Executive Vice President, ASHRAE; Sarah Maston, President-elect, ASHRAE; and Ashish Rakhijja, Treasurer, ASHRAE. Empower said the discussions focused on reviewing progress achieved across joint initiatives under its collaboration agreements with ASHRAE, with particular emphasis on research into third-generation District Cooling systems.

Empower said the two sides also discussed progress in developing a globally recognised District Cooling standard applicable across various countries, which the company said is expected to contribute to unifying best practices and improving efficiency.

Empower said the meeting further explored prospects for research and development in District Cooling systems alongside joint efforts to enhance energy efficiency and deliver solutions intended to support modern cities, contribute to emissions reduction and advance long-term sustainability objectives.

H.E. Bin Shafar said: “These meetings reflect Empower’s commitment to actively shaping the future of District Cooling at the global level driven by our firm belief that this sector is a cornerstone for enhancing energy efficiency and advancing sustainability in modern cities. Our partnership with ASHRAE is particularly significant as it represents the integration of Empower’s accumulated practical expertise as the world’s largest District Cooling services provider with the Society’s research capabilities and leadership in the development of technical standards.”

H.E. Bin Shafar added: “Through joint research initiatives and the development of standardised guidelines, we are working to establish globally applicable scientific and technical foundations that support the advancement of the next generation of District Cooling systems, contribute to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions and strengthen the resilience and sustainability of urban infrastructure. We believe that knowledge sharing and the development of international partnerships represent the most effective pathway to accelerating the transition towards more efficient and sustainable cooling solutions in line with the aspirations of future cities and in support of global climate action agendas.”

Empower said it signed two agreements with ASHRAE in 2024, stating that the first focuses on developing a unified globally approved District Cooling standard and that the second covers the development of third-generation District Cooling systems through scientific research studies.

Empower said it concluded its participation in the 2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference, adding that its involvement formed part of a strategy to strengthen its international presence and contribute to shaping the future of District Cooling by broadening the scope of dialogue and collaboration with entities specialising in refrigeration, heating and air-conditioning systems.

WIESBADEN, Germany, 4 February 2026: HYTING said it has commissioned its first customer installation, adding that the development marks a major milestone for its operations with what it described as the first catalytic hydrogen-powered air-heating system now in operation at a customer site.

Making the announcement through a Press Release, HYTING said the 10 kW air-heating unit has been installed at Flusys GmbH’s newly established production facility for precision pumps in Offenbach, Germany, and said the system is fully operational, heating a 1,000-cubic-metre space using hydrogen sourced from a nearby supplier.

According to HYTING, the 10 kW unit has been paired with a heat pump to form a hybrid heating system. The company said that in this configuration the hydrogen unit provides peak heating capacity during high-demand periods or when ambient temperatures are low, while the heat pump manages the base heating load at its most efficient operating point.

HYTING said this approach enables optimal system sizing of both the hydrogen unit and the heat pump, adding that it reduces installed electrical capacity and addresses what it described as a major cost driver for commercial buildings, namely capacity and demand charges. The company added that by covering peak loads with hydrogen instead of electricity, customers can lower operating costs from the first day with what it said is fast amortisation and minimal system complexity.

The company said its technology can also be integrated with other heat sources such as industrial waste heat, adding that this provides a flexible decarbonisation pathway for different building types. HYTING said the compact and modular design enables multiple units to be combined for higher capacity and makes the technology suitable for both new installations and retrofit applications.

HYTING said peak heating for commercial and industrial buildings is a key application for its technology, noting that such buildings often face high peak heat demand, limited electrical infrastructure and increasing decarbonisation pressure. The company said hydrogen-powered peak heating offers an effective solution, particularly where hydrogen is already available onsite or within the region.

HYTING said Flusys has many years of experience with hydrogen technologies and said the installation demonstrates both the efficacy of its system and the potential for hydrogen to replace natural gas as a cleaner, more sustainable heat source.

Tim Hannig, Founder, Managing Director, HYTING, said: “Our vision has always been to see hydrogen replace fossil fuels and make an invaluable contribution to decarbonising the heating sector. Our technology is simple, safe, efficient, and clean, and we’re delighted to see our first customer installation up and running. We’re very proud that Flusys chose to work with us on this world-first, and we look forward to seeing the next systems coming online in the coming months.”

HYTING said its technology is based on a proprietary flameless catalytic process in which hydrogen reacts with oxygen from ambient air to generate heat without producing any CO₂, NOx or particulate emissions, adding that water vapour is the only by-product. The company added that the system does not use flammable concentrations of hydrogen at any operating point, which it said makes it inherently safe.

HYTING said the quality and robustness of its technology are proven in a 2,500-hour durability test on a 10-kW heat generator conducted by what it described as one of the world’s leading engineering service providers. The company said the test simulates ten years of real-world operation and has been completed without failures or measurable wear on safety-critical components. It further added that the technology has achieved Gas Appliance Regulation (GAR) certification and is fully approved for field test operation.

HYTING said the next customer installation will be scheduled for later in Q1 2026.

DUBAI, UAE, 3 February 2026: Byrne Equipment Rental said it welcomes GFH Financial Group’s announcement that the Group has acquired a majority stake in the company. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Byrne said GFH has completed the acquisition of the stake as part of an investment and capex programme valued at approximately USD 400 million, adding that the acquisition positions the company to support the region’s growing project and infrastructure landscape.

Byrne said it was founded in 1992 in Dubai and has evolved into a regional operator with a fleet of approximately 16,000 units. The company said it operates through 14 offices and depots across Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, spanning more than 153,000 m². Byrne said this includes its Jubail depot in Saudi Arabia, which it described as one of the largest logistics and operations hubs of its kind in the country. The company said it delivered approximately 20% growth last year and is positioned to continue this trajectory.

Byrne said it serves a client base of more than 1,100 customers across the GCC region and that its services support sectors including oil and gas, construction, utilities and events, with core capabilities covering temporary power, modular buildings, compressors, material handling equipment, mobile lighting solutions and other assets required for large-scale operations.

Byrne said the GCC region equipment rental market continues to expand at double-digit rates driven by the oil and gas sector, national development programmes, industrial growth and major events, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The company said it is positioned to benefit from this momentum through its management team and operational track record. Byrne added that with GFH’s support it plans to enter new verticals, enhance its product range and deepen its presence in priority markets. Byrne said the partnership will also leverage the technical strengths of its operating partners.

Commenting on the acquisition, Hammad Younas, Group Chief Investment Officer, GFH, said: “Byrne is a resilient platform operating at the center of the region’s most dynamic sectors. Its operational scale, strong customer relationships, and technical abilities make it exceptionally well placed to benefit from the substantial pipeline of regional megaprojects. Through this acquisition of a 60% stake, we aim to accelerate Byrne’s growth trajectory and expand its footprint across strategic GCC region markets, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where demand for high-quality industrial and rental solutions continues to rise.”

Patrick Fallon, Deputy CEO, Byrne, said: “Partnering with GFH opens significant new opportunities for Byrne. Their regional scale, investment experience, and long-term commitment will enable us to strengthen our service offerings, deploy more advanced solutions, and continue delivering the reliability and operational excellence our clients expect. This next phase of growth allows us to support national development programs across the GCC region even more effectively, including major projects underway in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.”

Byrne said the acquisition aligns with GFH’s strategy of investing in mission-critical businesses that contribute to regional economies and support programmes such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031” Vision. Byrne said the transaction underscores GFH’s commitment to building sector-focused platforms in high-growth markets.

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, United States, 3 February 2026: Johnson Controls announced it has launched the YORK YDAM air-cooled magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller as its latest innovation in data centre thermal management. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Johnson Controls said the chiller is built to address space and site constraints in high-density, multistorey data centres and AI factories.

Johnson Controls said the YORK YDAM is built around its YORK YVAM chiller technology. The company said the YORK YVAM platform has been recognised by ABI Research and named to Fortune’s Change the World list for efficiency and zero water consumption. Johnson Controls added that YDAM delivers cooling capacity within a compact footprint, which the company said helps data centres scale while avoiding water consumption.

According to Johnson Controls, increasing land constraints are driving the development of multistorey data centres and AI factories. The company said this trend increases the density of white space by up to ten times and added that operators therefore require higher density thermal management solutions to accommodate reduced roof area.

Johnson Controls said that with up to 3.5MW of cooling, YDAM delivers up to 20% increased capacity density in a more compact footprint than competing solutions. Johnson Controls said the chiller fits on a 53-foot standard flatbed trailer and added that this footprint simplifies shipping and reduces transportation, rigging and lifting costs. The company said it expects shipments to begin in late 2026.

Austin Domenici, Vice President, General Manager, Johnson Controls Global Data Center Solutions, said: “AI and high-performance computing are pushing data centers beyond traditional limits. Vertical sites can unlock new growth opportunities, but they demand thermal management solutions that deliver maximum cooling outputs in minimum space. The impressive capacity and reduced footprint of YDAM could allow operators to cut the number of chillers on site by up to half, accelerating deployments and helping meet skilled onsite labor needs.”

Johnson Controls said YDAM chillers utilise YORK magnetic bearing compressors, which it said allow high chilled-fluid setpoints to support 45 degrees C warm-water cooling of the latest generation of inference and training GPUs. The company said the chillers are capable of operating with wide temperature differences and added that this helps reduce pump size and energy consumption, contributing to CapEx and OpEx savings.

Johnson Controls said YDAM chillers were developed at the Johnson Controls Advanced Development and Engineering Center and added that they are tested against what it described as extreme real-world conditions.

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, United States, 2 February 2026: Johnson Controls said it has launched its Reference Design Guide Series for one-gigawatt (GW) AI data centres. Making the announcement through a Press Release, the company said each guide maps the full thermal chain and provides cooling architectures tailored to different compute densities, geographies and elevations.

Johnson Controls said the series begins with a detailed blueprint for water-cooled chiller plants and added that future guides will address air-cooled and absorption chiller solutions. Johnson Controls said the guides respond to what it described as the rapid evolution of data centre infrastructure as AI increases the scale and complexity of thermal management.

Johnson Controls said the guides outline how to achieve energy and water efficiency while maintaining flexibility to scale across diverse climates and operational requirements. The company said the first guide presents a complete thermal architecture supporting both liquid and air-cooled IT loads through integrated computer room air handlers, fan coil walls, coolant distribution units and high-efficiency YORK centrifugal chillers.

Johnson Controls said the guide provides sizing guidance for 220-megawatt (MW) compute quadrants and defines temperature and operating conditions across all major facility loops, including Technology Cooling System loops supporting next-generation GPUs.

Johnson Controls said key outcomes of the design include zero water consumption through fully water-free heat rejection using dry coolers, high-temperature loop readiness for compatibility with future GPU architectures, alignment with the NVIDIA DSX reference architecture for scalable one-GW-class deployments and operational efficiency enabled by elevated condenser water temperatures, bifurcated loops and YORK high-lift chillers.

Austin Domenici, Vice President and General Manager, Johnson Controls Global Data Center Solutions, said: “AI Factories are production facilities — the places where intelligence is manufactured at an industrial scale. By supporting the NVIDIA DSX reference architecture and improving water and energy efficiency in the cooling process while maintaining high temperature-loop compatibility, our Reference Design Guide equips customers to deploy gigawatt-scale AI infrastructure that is scalable, repeatable, resilient and sustainable.”

VANTAA, Finland, 2 February 2026: Vaisala highlighted the impact of minor temperature inaccuracies on cooling efficiency in global data centres. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Vaisala said roughly 80% of the world’s data centres still rely on air cooling and that correcting a 0.5 degrees C measurement error could avoid around USD 805 million in cooling waste annually across moderate 10 MW sites. Vaisala added that this could amount to approximately USD 8 billion in avoided waste over a decade.

Vaisala said it introduced Origo as a next-generation modular measurement platform designed to support environmental monitoring in data centres and other mission-critical buildings.

The company said a temperature sensor deviation of just 0.5 degrees C may appear insignificant but can result in more than USD 800,000 in wasted cooling energy over ten years in a 10 MW data centre. Vaisala added that in life science cleanrooms, even small inaccuracies in parameters such as temperature or relative humidity can compromise product integrity or research outcomes, with losses extending beyond energy costs.

Vaisala said there are an estimated 12,000 data centres worldwide, with the United States and Europe accounting for more than half. Vaisala added that while liquid and hybrid cooling solutions are expanding rapidly for high-density AI workloads, air cooling continues to form the universal foundation of data centre thermal management. The company further said hybrid architectures combining air cooling for space-level requirements and liquid cooling for dense loads are now standard in both new build and retrofit projects.

Vaisala said reliable and precise measurement is essential for optimising air-cooled environments. Anu Kätkä, Product Line Manager, HVAC and Critical Buildings, Vaisala, said: “Generic sensors with ±0.5 degrees C accuracy drive overcooling and energy waste, costing operators tens of thousands of dollars annually. Origo’s precise ±0.1 degrees C and ±1 percent RH accuracy and stable measurements reduce unnecessary cooling while ensuring the reliable environmental control that critical facilities depend on. It translates to performance that pays for itself in months and protects uptime for years to come.”

Vaisala noted that data centres currently consume about 1.5% of global energy and that demand is expected to more than double by 2030. The company said precision sensing is essential to managing energy use and emissions while safeguarding IT performance.

Vaisala said Origo is engineered for simplicity and long-term adaptability through a modular design that supports multiple measurement parameters using compatible probes, including carbon dioxide and dew point sensors. The company added that this flexibility allows the platform to adapt to evolving requirements in environments such as cleanrooms, life science facilities and semiconductor manufacturing.

Vaisala said Origo is backed by the company’s commitment to reliability and is designed to deliver accurate measurements throughout its service life. Vaisala said field-replaceable probes enable quick on-site updates with minimal interruption and that a range of services, including accredited calibrations and technical support, is available to complement on-site expertise.

ATLANTA, United States, 2 February 2026: ASHRAE said it has announced its nominees for the 2026-2027 slate of officers and directors. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Society said nominations were made by its Nominating Committee from a list recommended by individual members and from Chapters Regional Conferences.

ASHRAE said the nominee for President-Elect is Ashish Rakheja and that the nominee for Treasurer is Wade Conlan.

Society said the nominees for Vice President are Blake Ellis and Mahroo Eftekhari.

ASHRAE said the nominees for Directors and Regional Chairs are Carrie Kelty for Region VII, Keith Reihl for Region VIII, Daniel Russell for Region IX, Colin Laisure-Pool for Region X and Eduardo Maldonado for Region XIV.

Society said the nominees for Directors-at-Large are Martin Dieryckx, Krishnan Gowri and Filza Walters. ASHRAE added that the nominee for Alternate Director-at-Large is Doug Fick.

ASHRAE said members will vote on the nominees via electronic ballot in May. ASHRAE added that Sarah Maston will serve as ASHRAE President for the 2026-2027 Society Year.

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, United States, 2 February 2026: Johnson Controls announced the preview of its YORK YK-HT two-stage economised centrifugal chiller at AHR Expo 2026 in Las Vegas. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Johnson Controls said the product has been engineered for data centres and large industrial, pharmaceutical and healthcare campuses.

Johnson Controls said the YK-HT delivers what it describes as the industry’s widest operating range from a single driveline, operating with condenser leaving fluid temperatures of up to 165 degrees F (73 degrees C) and up to 110 degrees F (43 degrees C) of lift.

Johnson Controls said the expanded operating range supports closed-loop heat rejection with dry coolers and enables heat pump and heat recovery applications. The company added that, by reusing thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted, such systems can offset more than 35 MMBtu per hour, which it said is equivalent to the heating demand of approximately 350 single-family homes per hour, while lowering carbon emissions and reducing energy costs.

Aaron Lewis, Vice President and General Manager, Applied Equipment, Johnson Controls, said: “Water conservation, energy efficiency and decarbonisation are priorities for our customers. The YK‑HT expands what is possible by enabling high‑temperature operation in a compact and efficient platform, helping customers move beyond traditional water‑intensive heat rejection and unlock new opportunities for efficient electrified heating. With its expanded operating range, mission‑critical facilities can scale with confidence while advancing sustainability, performance and long‑term operating efficiency.”

Johnson Controls said the YK-HT’s capabilities translate into reductions in both water use and noise. The company stated that a typical 2,000-tonne chiller operating in Las Vegas consumes approximately eight to nine million gallons of cooling tower water annually and that, when paired with dry coolers, the YK-HT eliminates that water use entirely.

Johnson Controls added that, for large data centres, including AI factories facing water conservation constraints and strict noise limits, the YK-HT’s enhanced lift capability enables up to a 60% reduction in dry coolers and enough fan power reduction to lower onsite noise by as much as 20 dBA.

Johnson Controls said the YK-HT is positioned as a unified heating and cooling platform for large buildings, capable of producing 44 degrees F (6.6 degrees C) chilled water and 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) hot water at the same time, which it described as a normal operating condition for heat pumps, while delivering efficiency levels that it said exceed ASHRAE requirements.

Johnson Controls said this unified feature eliminates the need for cascaded systems, additional electrical infrastructure or major mechanical room redesigns. The company added that the single-driveline design reduces rotating components by 50%, which it said simplifies installation and service while improving uptime amid skilled-labour shortages.

Johnson Controls further said the YK-HT has a footprint nearly 30% smaller than most alternatives, making it suitable for existing legacy chiller spaces and helping reduce retrofit investment in cost, time and labour.

Johnson Controls listed additional features of the YK-HT as including support for low-GWP refrigerants R-1234ze and R-515B, an integrated lubrication system, dual variable geometry diffuser control, a flash tank economiser, optional variable speed drives for increased efficiency, battery energy storage system compatibility and factory-equipped Smart Ready connectivity for integration.

Johnson Controls said YK-HT chillers are tested against what it described as extreme real-world conditions at its Advanced Development and Engineering Center in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, as well as in Wuxi, China. The company added that the chillers are planned for global distribution and will be manufactured in San Antonio, Texas and Wuxi, China.

DUBAI, UAE, 2 February 2026: The Ras Al Khaimah Wastewater Authority (RAKWA) said it has signed project agreements with the EWE-Saur-TAQA Water Solutions consortium for Ras Al Khaimah’s first large-scale wastewater Public Private Partnership (PPP) project.

Making the announcement through a Press Release, RAKWA said the project, which has an investment of approximately USD 300 million, marks a defining milestone in the Emirate’s transition towards modern, resilient and sustainable utility services. The Authority added that the initiative supports long-term population growth and economic development.

RAKWA said that within the EWE-Saur-TAQA Water Solutions consortium, Saur will act as a key equity partner and lead operator and will be responsible for operations and maintenance throughout the concession period. The Authority said Saur will draw on its track record and global expertise in managing complex performance-based wastewater systems. RAKWA added that Saur will oversee lifecycle optimisation, operational resilience and compliance management. The Authority said these measures are intended to ensure that service standards are maintained through long-term operations.

RAKWA said the project is structured under a design-finance-build-own-operate-maintain-transfer (DFBOMT) model. The Authority said the project is being developed under the oversight of the Public Services Department (PSD) and that the development will deliver a fully integrated wastewater system serving Sector 6 and key growth areas of the Emirate.

RAKWA said central to the project is the design, construction and long-term operation of an Independent Sewage Treatment Plant. The Authority said the plant will be engineered to treat 60,000 m³of wastewater per day in its initial phase and that the plant will later expand to 150,000 m³ per day as demand increases. RAKWA said the project also encompasses associated gravity sewer mains, twin rising mains, pumping stations, treated sewage effluent (TSE) transmission facilities and an emergency outfall. The Authority said these components are intended to ensure system resilience, operational robustness and continuity of service.

RAKWA said the EWE-Saur-TAQA Water Solutions consortium was awarded the contract after passing the technical evaluation and that the consortium also submitted the most competitive tariff in a global procurement process. RAKWA added that interest from regional and international infrastructure developers and operators highlighted the project’s strategic significance within the UAE’s water sector.

Luis de Lope, CEO, Saur International, said: “We are truly honoured to be part of the consortium delivering the RAKWA wastewater project. It underscores our commitment to supporting Ras Al Khaimah’s infrastructure ambitions through long-term, performance-driven partnerships. The project aligns closely with our expertise in managing integrated wastewater systems where reliability, environmental performance, and compliance are fundamental.”

The Authority said environmental performance and resource efficiency are embedded across the project’s design and operational framework, which includes effluent quality standards, odour and noise control, sludge management and system resilience measures. RAKWA said the plant will operate with a low-carbon footprint powered by renewable energy and added that a core focus will be placed on enabling the reuse of treated effluent. RAKWA said this will contribute to reduced reliance on desalinated water and support Ras Al Khaimah’s circular economy and sustainability objectives.

RAKWA said that, with agreements now in place, the project will advance through financial close and detailed engineering. The Authority added that this will be followed by construction, commissioning and full-scale operations and that once completed, the project will play a role in protecting public health, preserving the environment and supporting the Emirate’s long-term economic resilience.

RAKWA said the agreement also strengthens Saur’s footprint in the Middle East by building on the company’s wastewater operations in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.