Experts discuss smart grids

Leading technology experts from across the region will discuss the major challenges in the implementation of smart girds and smart meters in the GCC at a major conference in Dubai, UAE.

The sixth edition of the annual Smart Grids and Smart Meters Summit will run from November 1 to 2 at the Le Meridien Dubai conference centre. The key features of the event include the participation of government and regional stakeholders,  international case studies, global perspective of smart grids and smart metering and global technologies for providing better solutions for the future. It will witness industry experts and delegates discussing and debating on how to use renewable energy and grid integrations in the sector, said the event organiser Fleming.

Doha to host district cooling summit

Fleming, a global leader in events management, will organise the eighth annual Middle East District Cooling Summit scheduled between November 14 and 15 in Doha, Qatar.

Deemed to be the largest district cooling (DC) meet in the region, the summit will see stakeholders, leaders and industry practitioners in the sector discuss and strategise the future opportunities of district cooling, renewable energy and the drive towards energy-efficient cooling solutions. 

It will concentrate on discussing key themes that relate to topics such as updates and future plans for district cooling by ‘Kahramaa’, looking into the regulation standards that are to be implemented in Qatar, setting up plans to develop smart water plants and green buildings in the region, and what role is climate change is playing in the introduction of DC plants. Other topics include power optimisation in implementing DC methodologies, the future of DC in Qatar, plans put forth to conserve and efficiently manage water and energy resources, financial aspects of various DC projects and real-time case studies and success stories in the region of Qatar.

Turkish firms on show at stone expo

Turkish companies were out in force at the Middle East Stone, the region’s only exhibition dedicated to the stone, marble and ceramics industry, held recently in Dubai, UAE.  

The show, created by the organisers of The Big 5 and Index, ran alongside seven other leading international shows including Middle East Covering, Index and Workspace from May 23 to 26 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Top ranking architects, designers, suppliers, buyers, distributors, fabricators, real estate developers, specifiers and fit-out specialists attended the event, said the event organisers.

Dubai launches new PM award

HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued a new decree establishing the ‘Hamdan bin Mohammed Award for Innovation in Project Management’.

The award aims to promote innovation in project management (PM) by encouraging the use of smart and sustainable solutions and recognising innovators in project management, reported the state new agency Wam. It also seeks to provide a platform for sharing, exchanging and implementing new project management ideas and expertise. The categories of the award include: innovative project manager, innovative project management office (PMO) manager, innovative project team, innovative project management idea, and innovative portfolio management idea.

The winners will be announced at the ‘Dubai International Project Management Forum’ or on another occasion chosen by the Board of Trustees.

Marmomacc exhibits further growth

A key international event dedicated to natural stone, technologies, design and training will sees its exhibition space expand by 2,000 sq m to cover over 78,000 sq m, when it opens in Italy in September.

More exhibitors, a growing international status, business opportunities and new events dedicated to the culture behind stone products are some of the hallmarks of the 51st Marmomacc, which will be held at Veronafiere in Verona from September 28 to October 1 this year, according to the organiser.

Three new initiatives are being launched for professionals and designers at the event: Focus Architecture 2016, the Stone Award with Archmarathon and the Icon Award.

Cofely Besix wins top FM awards

Cofely Besix Facility Management (CBFM), the region’s leading integrated facilities management provider, won five awards at the Facilities Management Middle East 2016 ceremony held recently in Dubai, UAE.

CBFM was nominated in five categories, and walked away with five respective awards. The first was for The Sustainability Initiative of the Year category, in recognition of the company’s recently completed solar-powered operations and call centre. The company also won the Engineering Service of the Year award, which focused on its FM services to the Yas Island development. CBFM was also highly commended as The Overall FM Company of the Year, while the company’s Troy Muggleton received a highly commended award as FM Manager of the Year and Marwan Abou Raad walked away with the highly commended award for Young FM of the Year.

The FM Awards celebrated their ninth year in 2016.