Cleaning of HVAC ducts using a robot is now vastly practiced

Godrej MEP provides greater efficiency and benefits in operation to help integrate energy and water-saving measures.

Pravin Rawool, AVP & Business Head, Godrej MEP, says, rapid Urbanization, growing infrastructure-based developments, rising incomes and technological advancements are expected to positively influence India’s HVAC market in the coming years. The increase in the population of commercial & residential complexes, retail infra and office spaces in the country is expected to lead to the growth of the need for Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioner systems. Moreover, extreme climatic conditions and growing construction activities, coupled with various government initiatives & commitments (like those made recently at COP26) aimed at improving energy efficiency are some of the other major factors expected to boost India’s HVAC market in 2022. Due to the rampant environmental concerns, the HVAC industry has moved towards low carbon intensity, lesser fuel and electricity, giving rise to the demand for energy-efficient equipment in the HVAC market. 

Changes expected in the Mechanical component of MEP while planning. 

Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing are key requirements for the energy efficiency of modern commercial construction. In MEP, the Mechanical component is the most critical to reflect upon due to the diversity of HVAC. It encapsulates heating (applications where the ambient temperature is less), ventilation and air conditioning. An air conditioning system consists of high side equipment like chillers, air handlers, VRF units, etc. apart from the low side – piping work for cold and hot water, fabrication works for ducts, dampers, controllers and thermal/ cold insulation works. Likewise, ventilation is also undergoing a major shift due to critical project requirements viz egress route and tunnel ventilation for new and extended metros etc. 

The HVAC industry is growing at a much faster pace owing to rapid urbanisation and the subsequent increase in global warming. Simultaneously, to take care of the energy crisis and greenhouse concerns, there have been many developments in HVAC for more energy-efficient products with environmentally friendly, green refrigerants. The phasing-out of HCFCs is one such step in that direction. Similarly, many technological advancements are further expected in the HVAC industry, be it the chiller or the cooling tower of your residential/ commercial complex. Today, there is an orientation towards fast-track projects with a focus on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ); contractors using HAP for heat load estimation along with BIM-based design and modelling. Godrej MEP is a valued service provider playing in those dimensions as we focus on sustainable goals. All these changes are paving the way for the development of the MEP sector. 

MEP role and factors critical to the growth of smart city projects 

The role of MEP in calling a city ‘smart’ is important as MEP design is the backbone of the built environment. Every aspect of making a building ‘smart’ relates to the MEP design and planning. The role of MEP contractors is critical as they are the ones who execute and bring value engineering to the project with their domain expertise. 

The execution of the MEP services and design needs specialised technical skills and expertise as many technological advancements are occurring in the MEP sector. One needs to be constantly updated with knowledge and experience in the domain of HVAC (Mechanical), the newer methods of better circuit connections (Electrical) and Plumbing. This can be fulfilled with an integrated approach by making MEP a part of the building development and construction team. This can help further the cause of smart cities. 

All these aspects viz., lesser focus on design, planning and technological advancements slow the growth of smart cities. 

Growth activities in MEP market and scope for training to attend repair and maintenance 

The MEP market size for infrastructure is about 2000+ Crores. Godrej & Boyce’s MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health Engineering) unit is eyeing annual revenue growth of 25% from data centre projects by FY24. There has also been an uptick in enquiries for critical services such as electrical, HVAC, firefighting and public health engineering from several global and local data centre players in the industry. The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has also announced a policy that the government would provide ‘infrastructure status’ for the data centre sector. 

Personnel are now being trained to carry out ‘online diagnosis’ to carry out troubleshooting, repairs & maintenance based on the software/ app or rather digital tools that guide you on the go and provide remote assistance. Digitization is taking place at a rapid pace and such forecasted growth in activities can be seen during and post the pandemic in the MEP market. 

Is Psychometrics advantageous for the HVACR community, designers and AC makers? 

Psychrometrics involves the study of the thermodynamic properties of air–vapour mixtures, embedding the interrelation among temperature, partial pressures and enthalpy. It forms the basis for HVAC designers to identify the size and select the correct choice of equipment for a given location. From an AC maker’s point of view, one needs to fundamentally understand the human comfort or the optimum condition range which is easier to understand in the psychrometric chart. It thereby enables him to manufacture or assemble only those components that have been built with the required set of tolerances. Further, he can analyse if that’s okay for a running air-conditioned space. 

Scope of robots for MEP role and / or maintenance in lieu of human safety 

Robotics has gained significance in the latter part of Industry 4.0. Robots are used in MEP as well e.g. Cleaning of HVAC ducts using a robot is now vastly observed and practised as against the erstwhile manual cleaning which eliminates the health and safety hazards associated with the manual process. The day is not far off when robots perform welding of HVAC, plumbing pipes & even duct fabrication work. Robot Welds are already being used in the manufacturing sector. Robots are incredibly useful when working in hard-to-reach areas, such as the cramped confines of municipal water pipes. Such robots can perform the tasks of accessing and repairing these pipes without facing the challenges that humans usually do. 

Godrej & Boyce role in the data centre industry Godrej 

MEP Projects makes life flow through edifices by bestowing functionality to it, through the installation of vital systems. With a strong focus on quality and Ontime Every Time delivery, we are successfully breathing life into structures. 

Godrej MEP has secured several high-value data centre projects in the cities of Mumbai and Delhi for various clients. So far, Godrej & Boyce has undertaken projects spanning close to 20 MW and plans to cover another 35-40 MW by FY24. To help integrate energy and water-saving measures, Godrej MEP provides greater efficiency, benefits in operations, and helps optimise the use of scarce community resources in its continuous journey towards environmental sustainability. At Godrej MEP, we will continue to partner with Indian and Global players to provide the best mechanical, electrical and firefighting services that are essential to the functioning and safety of data centres.