Cofely Besix Facility Management (CBFM) has launched the region’s first ‘zero carbon’ call centre and control room powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) round-the-clock..

A joint-venture established in 2008 between Cofely and the Besix Group, CBFM is aimed at providing first-class integrated facility management services in the Middle East.

The company recently installed a hybrid PV solar installation on the roof of its Dubai operations office, which also houses its control room, call centre and training room.

CBFM selected a ‘hybrid’ installation as it includes batteries, so it could benefit of renewable, clean energy overnight, as well as during low irradiation conditions during the day. The installation will generate 42.92 MWh of electrical energy and will save 25.27 tCO2 (total carbon dioxide content) over its lifespan.
 
“The initiative proves that the facilities management (FM) industry can become an active player in proposing PV solar installations for small rooftop buildings,” remarked Bart Holsters, the operations manager at CBFM.

"It also shows that the FM industry is best positioned to run PV solar operations, and to maintain the plant, as it requires rigorous follow-up to achieve best performance. It is best suited to this as it has vast experience in centralised and remote-controlled MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) plants, optimising operations and performance," he added.  

According to him, the measurement of the clean energy generated and tCO2 saved, is done through real-time, on-line PV solar performance software for the day-to-day operations.

"The motivation of having a real-time performance follow-up by our BMS (building management system) operators, is to keep an optimum between the performance ratio and the maintenance of the panels. It allows a condition-based programme to trigger an action, based on the soiling factor or technical fault (by detecting a [controlled] performance drop), rather than a predictive-only approach. This results in efficient and intelligent maintenance using available smart technologies," he added.

CBFM said it has also invested in a Seaward PV150 test kit to comply with commissioning, system documentation and testing to IEC62446 Standard.

“The decision to install and use clean, renewable, sustainable energy shows that we are aware of our impact on the planet and are doing our part to help. It also shows that the FM industry is innovative, environment-friendly, and leads by example, in striving towards a more sustainable operation,” stated Holsters.

"Many businesses appreciate that their service provider uses renewable energy, and we decided to undertake the initiative, to inspire our customers and suppliers to ‘go green’," he added.

CBFM has currently completed the design for a total capacity of 10 MWp with various of its existing customers, and targets to have 5 MWp in operation by the end of 2016.

The installation and operation will be managed by CBFM over a 15-year contract term, with a projected generation of 112 GWh and a saving of 66,000  tCO2 over the contract term.-TradeArabia News Service