Renewable Energy 2021 Trends (Covid-19 vaccines, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZenica, Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen, Bharat Biotech, Gamaleya, CanSino, Vector Institute, Sinopharm-Wuhan, Sinovac

JANUARY 2 0 2 1
N E W S
Leyline Renewable Capital
Announces $150 Million
Investment from Newlight
Partners to Provide
Development Capital for
Renewable Energy Projects
Risen Energy Expands
Global Footprint with 150
MW Module Order from
Malaysian Power Station
CleanChoice Energy Now
Enrolling Subscribers for
8 MW Community Solar
Portfolio
42 46 50

Commercial High Efficiency Circulators
WILO Stratos
Product Brochure.

2

SOLAR SWITCH

E D I T O R ‘ S N O T E
The COVID-19 outbreak
has put a toll on the
renewables industry
as it did to the many other
industries across the globe.
Potentially, the pandemic
will shift the availability
of financing, developers’
investment decisions, and the
priority of government policies
not only for 2020 but even until
2025. This will likely create an
uncertainty in the market that
has rapidly expanded in the
recent five years.
Fortunately, a handful of
countries are introducing
massive programs to
respond to the meltdown of
the economy brought about
by the outbreak. Several of
these measures can also
be implemented to the
renewables sector.
Decline in Costs of Wind and
Solar
The massive reductions in
costs in the past decade has
been the top reasons why
renewables are rapidly mixing
into the global electricity
supply. The electricity cost
from onshore solar and wind
PV is becoming increasingly
cheaper compared to new and
pre-existing fossil fuel plants.
In most countries nowadays,
renewables are starting to take
the frontlines and becoming
the cheapest way of meeting
the growing demand for
electricity. An additional
2021 Renewables and
Sustainability Trends
During Pandemic
positive point is that while
there may be temporary
disruptions in supply that
can cause local price
fluctuations, the pandemic is
unlikely to change the preexisting
downward trend on
renewables cost.
Government’s Role
in Renewable Energy
Deployment
The government will likely
remain instrumental in the
deployment of renewable
energy in the post-pandemic
world. To tackle the
challenges brought about by
COVID-19, initial government
policies focus more on
postponing planned auctions
and extending projectcommissioning
deadlines.
For instance, Greece, France,
Germany, and the UK have
already offered some flexibility
for developers who will not be
able to meet the target policyrelated
final commissioning
dates. These measures will
protect deployment this year
and the next, but the delay
of auctions will continue to
affect the years beyond 2021,
especially in countries where
postponement is indefinite.
4

* For any inquiries, please contact Mr. Rohan Suares
Address: LG Electronics Gulf, P.O Box 61445, Dubai, U.A.E, Tel. # +971 52 710 0999, Email: rohan.suares@lge.com

C O N T E N T S
8
Co Ban Kiat: Celebrating 100
Years of Providing World Class
Hardware Solutions
22
2021 Renewables and
Sustainability Trends During
Pandemic
42
Leyline Renewable Capital
Announces $150 Million
Investment from Newlight
Partners to Provide
Development Capital for
Renewable Energy Projects
46
Risen Energy Expands Global
Footprint with 150 MW Module
Order from Malaysian Power
Station
50
CleanChoice Energy Now
Enrolling Subscribers for 8 MW
Community Solar Portfolio
54
A Smart Helmet to Detect
Covid-19 Infection
58
Air Dryers Vs. Paper Towels:
What’s the Difference?
66
The Covid-19 Survival of Engineering
Companies Lies in
Digitalization
70
The Future Of Engineering And
Its Impact On The Industry
74
Data and Digitization
Report UAE Market
82
Sharaf DG Energy challenges
warehouses and factories to
reduce emissions
6

FEATURE STORY
Co Ban Kiat: Celebrating 100 Years
of Providing World Class Hardware
Solutions
Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. has remained
steadfast in sharing its genius innovations
and technological solutions to multitudes of
people in need, effectively entrenching itself as one
of the largest purveyors of hardware, tools, small
appliances, and machinery in the Philippines. As
CBK Hardware nears its century-long existence,
it is worth noting that before prospering into the
hardware giant it is today, the brand began on a
humble journey. Like any trailblazing business in
any industry, the journey to a position of global
leadership is not without its peaks and valleys.
The Rich History of CBK Hardware
Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. was founded in 1920 in
the heart of Binondo, Manila’s own Chinatown, due
to the business acquisition efforts of the Cobankiat
family patriarch. After the Wholesale buy and
sell hardware business was fully acquired by the
family in 1924, the business prospered for another
15 years. From its peak performance, the brand
entered its first valley in the form of the devastating
World War II. Fortunately, the family and their
business bounced back in 1945 and re-established
their headquarters in Binondo 4 years later.
In 1952, CBK Hardware was incorporated and
from that day on an endless market expansion
effort was made. The business began dealing in and
distributing traditional hardware, a wide array of
appliances, and any tool that promoted ease of life.
Business prospered further and in 1990, Johnny
Cobankiat introduced the retail concept for
hardware products in the country which led to
the birth of Hardware Workshop stores inside
SM Supermalls. Johnny Cobankiat’s other notable
accomplishments include the inauguration of
Coby’s Design Center as a means to answer the
increasing demand of high-end architectural
hardware products and the accretion and
introduction of Ace Hardware USA in the country
on 1997, with CBK Hardware Inc. as one of its
suppliers.
In 2003, the company continued to be the leading
supplier in all major retail hardware stores such
as Wilcon Depot, All Home, D.I.Y Hardware, Citi
Hardware, and MC Home Depot, to name a few.
Mayapa Wood Products and Interior Solutions,
Chubbsafes, and Lincoln Electric have also recently
added to its growing world-class brand portfolio.
Needless to say, these procurements will not be
CBK Hardware’s last set of acquisitions.
CBK Hardware Inc. acquired Mayapa Wood
Products and Interior Solutions in 2013, joining
the ever-extending family and business network.
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It is proud to be the most innovative
manufacturer of quality wood products and
interior solutions in the Philippines today.
In its vision to provide word-class hardware
solutions, CBK Hardware added global
brands including Chubbsafes and Lincoln
Electric. Truly, CBK chooses only the
best brand and quality products to serve.
Needless to say, these procurements will not
be CBK Hardware’s last set of acquisitions.
2015 marked the start of CBK’s corporate
social responsibility efforts. In their vision
to give back to the Filipino community
and engage in ethically-oriented practices,
Co Ban Kiat Hardware began undertaking
efforts of philanthropy, activism, and charity.
Supported by their employees and partners,
numerous non-government organizations
and foundations received monetary aid,
product donations, and services from the
company.
As of yet, CBK Hardware has gone nowhere
else but upward in its journey to supply the
country with world-class, life-improving
technological and hardware solutions.
And what are these world-class, lifeimproving
technological and hardware
solutions?
CBK Hardware Today: Projects
and Industries
These are the countless hardware and
home improvement products and services
CBK Hardware utilizes to realize market
leadership in every market segment. CBK
Hardware has dipped its toes in different
business units to cater to multiple industries,
such as building materials, hardware,
wholesale and retail, oil and gas, HVACR,
electrical, power generation, construction,
mining, machinery, equipment, utilities,
telecommunications, automotives, and
9

Saving
lives
every day
Part of Blue Ocean Robotics

FEATURE STORY
manufacturing, to name a few. Out
of all of these areas of expertise, the
retail, construction, industrial, and
ecommerce sectors are Co Ban Kiat
Hardware Inc.’s fortes.
For wholesale and retail business
segment, CBK Hardware supplies to
over 2000 partner wholesale and retail
stores nationwide, which includes
D.I.Y stores, roadshops, depots, and
much more for 68 brands and over
6,000 SKUs. For industrial, the brand
has both ensconced strong distribution
channels in innumerable business
sectors and boasts an expansive list of
automotive, hospitality, service, and
other industry clientele who all trust in
the brand to supply them with superb
improvement solutions. In the area of
construction, the brand has been one
of if not the most trusted partners of
hardware suppliers of distinguished
real estate developers and construction
companies nationwide. Lastly, CBK
Hardware Inc. has been looking to
the future in the area of ecommerce,
priding itself to be the first hardware
distributor to aggressively offer
products online through websites,
partner ecommerce platforms, and
social media accounts. Truly, CBK
Hardware Inc. has come a long way
and, fortunately for them, there is still
a long, long way to go.
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Together in Excellence:
Brand Portfolio
CBK Hardware Inc.’s product portfolio
has lengthened and evolved over
the years since its establishment in
1920. Currently, the brand is one of
the country’s leading suppliers of the
top-of-the-line hardware and home
improvement materials to a long
list of brands. CBK Hardware Inc.
is constantly putting its nose on the
grindstone and burning the midnight
oil, invigorated by its vision to be
the largest network supplier of the
biggest brands in the world in the
hardware industry. Its employees are
the backbone of the company as they
endlessly source the best products to
supply its customers.
With 68 trusted global brands
of building materials, electrical,
houseware, power equipment, outdoor,
plumbing, hand and power tools,
CBK Hardware Inc. has been steadily
paving the way to a brighter future for
the Philippines and the world. They
have served over 1,500 industrial and
commercial organizations with over
6,000 hardware products to choose
from. They have satisfied over 1,600
roadshop customers, partnered with
over 600 home building specialty
stores nationwide. CBK Hardware
has distributed items that have aided
in erecting over 50 premium 5-star
hotels, residential condominiums, and
secure office buildings.
In their 100 years, CBK Hardware
Inc. has accumulated an extensive
list of global brands. They have been
distributing brands such as Baldwin,
Chubbsafes, DeWalt Power Tools,
Dormakaba, Facom, Fairbanks Scales,
13

FEATURE STORY
Lincoln Electric, Nilfisk Professional
Cleaning Equipment, Pelican, Proto,
Ridgid, Shop-Vac Vacuums, Stanley Hand
Tools, Toho, Viper Cleaning Equipment,
Westinghouse, Yale Locks, and more. These
brands are all being smoothly distributed
to customers who want to get more bang
for their buck when it comes to home and
facility improvement, safety and security,
D.I.Y projects, energy conservation,
cleaning and disinfection, and the like.
Supplied and shared out by CBK Hardware
Inc., these brands are truly together in
excellence.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Efforts
Business in the hardware industry is not
the only way the brand is helping the world
become a better place. CBK Hardware Inc.
is also partaking in multiple advocacies,
philanthropic endeavors, humanitarianism,
and charity work, because those in the
company are wholeheartedly committed to
contributing towards the growth of society
and the environment.
Hundreds if not thousands of people from
different walks of life have benefited from
CBK Hardware Inc.’s initiatives, from the
intensive CSR programs to the hardware
donations for the improvement of living
facilities. Stomachs have also been fed in
the conducted feeding programs.
The goodwill of CBK Hardware
Inc., was also gifted to the neglected
children and elders residing at different
charitable institutions. Another CSR
campaign entitled Pailaw ni Juanita was
also dedicated to Mrs. Juanita Co, the
company’s shining beacon of hope who
16

shared her blessings by giving out large
amounts of flashlights by teaming up with
different NGOs known for their advocacies
in livelihood, peace, order, and education.
Through a fruitful partnership with ABS-
CBN’s Mission Possible, CBK Hardware
Inc. has also provided state-of-the-art
hardware solutions to a near endless
quantity of customers as well as the
neediest. This showcase of livelihood was
able to transform the lives of 5 case studies
in little ways by donating quality power
and hand tools that have helped increase
income generation.
CBK Hardware is also an active supporter
of Brigada Eskwela, a school preparation
program for the upcoming academic
year by donating hardware materials and
engaging their employees in constructing,
painting, and cleaning the different areas of
each selected educational institution.
Environmental conservation is also an area
in which CBK Hardware Inc. volunteers.
Recently, those in the company have
implemented many clean-up drives such as
the one in the coastline of the Las Piñas-
Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism
Area (LPPCHEA) in partnership with
Haribon Foundation last August 11.
#WithCBKweCanHELP Donation Drive
has also been created In response to the
increasing number of individuals who are
in dire need of help due to the COVID-19
pandemic. This donation drive’s proceeds
have been donated to children and elderly
in chosen institutions. Other drives
include the 100 Donation Drive which is
a 10-month long CSR project that aims to
help 100 organizations.
17

To the Next 100 Years
With all of these financial and tool donation drives,
feeding programs, partnerships with humanitarian
organizations, and other forms of noble CSR efforts,
CBK Hardware Inc. is building the community and
fostering an environment of togetherness. While their
tools and appliances certainly do help in improving
the home situation, charity and philanthropic
endeavors such as these are what can improve the
overall life situation of both the givers and the
receivers.
As the company enters a new century, there will be
even more local and global brands to acquire and
form a partnership with, more ways to help out and
give back to the community that deserves the utmost
care, more homes and buildings to improve using
the many tools and appliances the brand has in its
disposal, and more individuals to help in any way.
In the same way the brand was ever-present in the last
century, so too will CBK Hardware Inc. be present,
proactive, and professional in the next. With endless
brands to befriend, CSR efforts to initiate, facilities
to improve and establish, and people to help, CBK
Hardware will always lend a helping hand.
Where to Buy?
For 100 years, Co Ban Kiat Hardware
Inc. is the most trusted distributor of
home improvement and hardware items
in the Philippines.
Let’s shop wisely. #StayAtHome and
order online at your convenience. Visit
us in the following sites and enjoy deals,
discounts, and more!
Website: https://www.cbkhardware.
com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
cbkhardware/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/
cbkhardware
Join our Fast Growing Viber
Community http://%20https//bit.
ly/3ebeCXU
Co Ban Kiat
Hardware, Inc.
Ground Floor, Cobankiat
Building II, 231 Juan Luna St. Binondo
Manila, Philippines.
Phone +632 8243-1931
Phone +632 8243-5263
Phone +632 8894-6561
Email info@cobankiat.com.ph ;
ind@cobankiat.com.ph
Coby's Designer
Center
Unit 467 level 4
Shangri-La Plaza Edsa
Corner Shaw Boulevard
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Phone +632 86364895
20

About CBK
Hardware
For almost a hundred years, a
family’s surname has become
synonymous to the country’s
biggest hardware supply
company. Co Ban Kiat Hardware
Incorporated, of the Cobankiat
family has a regular client
network of more than 1,500
industrial organizations; 1,600
traditional community hardware
stores, and 584 home building
specialty chain of stores across
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
This ever-growing conglomerate
traces its humble roots to
Manila Chinatown, as a pioneer
enterprise started by family’s
patriarch, Mr. Cobankiat in
1920. Despite the ruins of World
War II, the business goes back
to its feet in 1948, rebuilding a
storefront from the very same
spot where it was known for
three decades.
This ever-growing conglomerate
traces its humble roots to
Manila Chinatown, as a pioneer
enterprise started by family’s
patriarch, Mr. Cobankiat in
1920. Despite the ruins of World
War II, the business goes back
to its feet in 1948, rebuilding a
storefront from the very same
spot where it was known for
three decades.
While the Filipinos continue to rebuild their lives post war, CBK
Hardware sees the opportunity to introduce the retail concept once
unheard for in hardware industry. Cobankiat Hardware brought the
first DIY business in the Asia. A do it on yourself concept that created
Cobankiat hardware in the Philippines. The Hardware Workshop
Store is the fruit if this endeavor. CBK Hardware further cemented
its legendary distribution channel with the creation of Coby’ Design
Center in Edsa Shangi La in 1996, a specialty store that caters to
discriminating taste of modern Filipinos.
In 1997, Mr. Johnny Cobankiat, the 4th generation Cobankiat leader,
set another milestone for the company when he brings a franchise of
Ace Hardware USA to the Philippines, and signs up CBK Hardware
as one of its major suppliers. This further expanded into delivering
quality world class products nearer to families of Filipino overseas
workers in the countryside.
A century’s excellence can quickly pass, and guided by the vision to
be the largest network supplier of the biggest global brands in the
hardware industry, CBK Hardware resolve to source the best products
to supply its customers anytime and every time.
21

22
The current pandemic can potentially change developers’
investment decisions, priorities of government policies, and the
availability of financing through 2025. This, in turn, creates a
significant uncertainty on the renewable energy market which had been
continuously and rapidly expanding in the past five years.

23

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Features
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• Aesthetically appealing all-black appearance
• Framed module designed for easy use with
industry-standard mounting systems
• Etched, unchangeable serial numbers for full
traceability of each module
• Free module recycling
Quality and Safety
• UL and IEC certified
• Rated for snow and wind loads up to 2,400 Pa
(5,400 Pa option pending)
• Free of potential induced degradation (PID) effects
• Salt mist and ammonia corrosion
test certification (pending)
• Manufactured at an ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001 and
OHSAS 18001 certified facility
Warranty
• Product warranty*: 10 years for material and workmanship
• Power output warranty*: 90% at 10 years and 80% at 25 years
of minimum rated power output
A TSMC Company
www.tsmc-solar.com
* This datasheet is for informational purposes only. No rights can be derived from the information contained herein.
For detailed warranty information, please consult TSMC Solar’s module warranty, which is available upon request.

C O V E R
S T O R Y
Fortunately, several countries are starting to introduce big
stimulus programs as a response to the current economic
slowdown and their way to support their economies.
Some of these measures appear to be relevant for the
renewables sector.
Decline in Costs of Wind and Solar
There is no doubt that the huge reductions in cost for
wind and solar power have been the major reason behind
renewables promptly transforming the electricity mix
worldwide. In fact, in 2020, wind and solar PC developers
won auction bids at record low contract prices only
ranging from below US$20/MWh to 50/MWh. Offshore wind
has also achieved substantial cost reduction and scaleup
over the past several years thanks to the European
policies. This is projected to repeat in the emerging
offshore wind markets in North America and Asia.
Although the disruptions in supply due to the COVID-19
crisis may lead to local price fluctuations, it is unlikely that
the pandemic will shift the declining cost trends. In fact,
manufacturing overcapacity in solar PV is expected to
reach record high levels in the next few years, putting more
downward pressure on the prices of modules.
Government’s Role in Renewable Energy
Deployment
Almost 50% of the wind and solar PV projects in the
pipeline for the next five years are tied to planned, but not
finalized, auctions or other incentives (rebates, tax credits,
FITs) backed by the government. With the COVID-19 crisis,
there may be challenges in the timely implementation
of the government’s previously announced plans. For
example, projects under government-backed auctions will
only be implemented if countries decide to maintain their
planned schedule of tenders. However, this may not be the
case, especially with the decreasing electricity demand
and lowered fossil fuel prices.
In the short term, governments will likely delay scheduling
new auctions for renewable capacity and switch to natural
gas plants to meet existing and new demand. But in the
medium and long term, the economic position of wind and
solar continue to become stronger with cost reduction and
long-term price predictability over project lifetimes.
26

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Energy Storage
Solutions
for Renewable Energy / Hybrid Systems / Backup Power
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30
There may be challenges in
the timely implementation of
the government’s previously
announced plans.

31

34

The plummeting power prices, lower
electricity demand, and weaker
financing environment may cause
such projects to be reconsidered.
35

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C O V E R
S T O R Y
38

New Market-Driven Projects are Impacted More
Corporates have taken increased interest in signing power
purchase contracts directly with solar and wind projects
outside the main schemes of government policy, thanks to
the declining cost of renewables and their desire to meet
their private decarbonization goals and avoid future price
volatility. Developers who entered such agreements also
accepted the extra risks of having shorter contracts and
greater exposure to wholesale electricity prices. Although
projects ties to private agreements make up around
25% of projects in the pipeline, the plummeting power
prices, lower electricity demand, and weaker financing
environment may cause such projects to be reconsidered.
Long-lasting COVID-19 Impacts on Biofuels
Markets
The Renewable Energy Directive of the EU policy
framework for biofuels dictates that member states may
augment the contribution of conventional (crop-based)
biofuels to renewable energy in transport by no greater
than one percentage point over levels achieved this
year. With this, it is no longer surprising that any market
disruption brought about by the pandemic in 2020 will
change the share of conventional biofuels consumed,
affecting the maximum permitted share in member states
even beyond 2020.
With oil prices having a sustained low trend, there is a
high possibility of policy makers delaying, if not entirely
abandoning, their support in biofuel policy. This can
already be seen in the ASEAN region, where countries
have postponed action to allow higher biofuel blends
to the market since the low oil prices compromised the
budget available for supporting biofuel measures. In
Thailand and Indonesia, funds that were previously used
for supporting biofuels have reduced at the same time that
low oil prices have boosted the cost of biofuel subsidy.
On the other hand, Brazil and India set up long-term
ambitions to surge the contribution of biofuels in transport.
Scaling up production in order to meet these ambitions
will need new production capacity, though. This, in turn,
is dependent on the financial position of the industry to
invest in new plants.
- End -
39

NEWS
Leyline Renewable Capital
Announces $150 Million
Investment from Newlight
Partners to Provide
Development Capital for
Renewable Energy Projects
Injection of funding for project pre-construction
signals developers are accelerating the clean energy
transition in the United States
Leyline Renewable Capital, a provider of
development financing across several renewable
energy sectors, announced a $150 million
investment by Newlight Partners LP. This
investment will enable Leyline to identify and
provide development-stage debt and equity to
support renewable energy projects throughout
the United States. To date, the Leyline team has
developed, financed and/or constructed more
than $2 billion in 170+ projects totaling 1GW+
electricity - which equates to 140,000 metric tons in
greenhouse gas reductions.
“By taking a patient view on the projects we choose
to support we are able to identify promising
opportunities for renewable energy projects
and build deeper relationships with developers,
ensuring projects are successful and profitable,” said
Erik Lensch, CEO of Leyline Renewable Capital.
“Newlight Partners recognizes a clear opportunity
with our team’s unique experience at the forefront
of the renewable energy market and this new
funding will help us advance the development of
42
renewable energy projects at their critical early
stage. With Newlight’s support we will work to
accelerate the clean energy market from coast to
coast.”
Leyline Renewable Capital develops, builds and
finances renewable energy projects that emphasize
efficient project development, reducing risk and
increasing investor returns. Founded and managed
by industry veterans who have personal stakes
in the renewable energy industry, the Leyline
team understands the unique opportunities and
challenges that face renewable energy developers in
the pivotal months and years before construction
begins.
“Leyline Renewable Capital has a firm track record
of identifying, cultivating and funding some of
today’s most talented renewable energy developers,”
said Mark Longstreth, Managing Director of
Newlight Partners LP. “As cost-competitive and
distributed renewable technologies scale quickly,
the developers of these projects are increasingly
underserved by traditional financing sources.
Leyline understands their needs and long-term
goals and is positioned to be the go-to investor
for entrepreneurial developers who are essential if

cities, states and major corporations are to achieve
their ambitious renewable energy targets.”
“Our capital and industry expertise allow us
to support the advancement of projects from
development and construction to operations.
Recently, we invested in a solar portfolio that
accelerated the timelines for twenty solar projects.
We took no corporate equity in the developer and
the projects are now on course to be developed
three times faster than the developer would have
been able to achieve without our capital. That is
typical of our value-added approach to investment”
said Eric Rubinstein, CFO of Leyline Renewable
Capital.
Unlike a traditional financial institution, Leyline
provides funding combined with the expertise
needed to ensure complex renewable energy
projects meet aggressive deadlines while managing
any variability. Leyline Renewable Capital’s
portfolio includes utility-scale solar projects, as
well as anaerobic digesters which process organic
waste into renewable natural gas. Leyline is favored
by entrepreneurial developers on the front lines of
energy innovation, transitioning the grid at a more
rapid pace than ever before to meet the rapidly
growing market demand coming from private and
public sector actors.
Leyline Renewable Capital’s Windstar Fund I
jumpstarted major energy projects, which the
firm continues to manage. This new funding
from Newlight will allow Leyline to expand its
mission by investing in a broader portfolio of preconstruction
renewable energy projects. Leyline has
both the stability and flexibility to support complex,
long-term projects that are needed to meet today’s
ambitious clean energy goals and power a more
sustainable future.
Renewable energy developers who are interested in
working with Leyline Renewable Capital can find
more information here.
About Leyline Renewable Capital:
Leyline Renewable Capital invests in the
development, construction and financing of
sophisticated renewable energy projects. Backed by
a team of seasoned investors with deep experience
in the renewable industry, Leyline provides
financing that bridges the gap between mid-stage
development and construction. By investing
in the pre-construction phase of renewable
energy projects, Leyline is able to accelerate the
development process and help developers scale
their business. Leyline leverages a broad base of
experience in green field project development,
design, construction, and financial close with an
extensive network of relationships with industry
leaders to provide support and capital for projects
from concept to commercial operation.
About Newlight Partners LP
Newlight Partners LP (Newlight) is a private
investment firm focused on collaborating with
management teams and strategic investors to
build unique, durable businesses, predominantly
in North America. For more than 15 years,
the Newlight team has helped build successful
enterprises in five sectors, including financial
services, telecommunications, power and renewable
energy, healthcare services and business services.
Led by David Wassong and Ravi Yadav, Newlight
has invested approximately $6 billion in over
100 investments since 2005, first as the Strategic
Investments Group at Soros Fund Management
LLC (Soros), and now as Newlight after the
team’s spin out from Soros in 2018. Newlight has
approximately $4 billion in capital commitments
and assets under management.
43

Setting clean energy in motion
Innovative solutions for wind turbines
Developing the future.

NEWS
Risen Energy Expands
Global Footprint with
150 MW Module
Order from Malaysian
Power Station
Chinese solar panel maker
Risen Energy Co., Ltd. recently
announced the receipt of an
order to provide 150 MW of
high-efficiency solar PV modules to a
power stations in Malaysia. Malaysia’s
Minister of Energy, Science, Technology,
Environment and Climate Change Yb Yeo
Bee Yin attended the agreement signing
ceremony. It’s the biggest module order
Risen Energy has to date won both in
Malaysia and from an overseas floating
power station.
As part of the agreement, Risen Energy
will supply high-efficiency Jaeger 144
modules with an output power up to 395W
each to the project. The modules will be
shipped in batches starting this month and
the delivery is scheduled to be completed
by June 2020.
46

Risen Energy president Xie Jian said, “Malaysia is one of our key emerging
markets as it boasts abundant light resources and policies favourable to the
industry. We are excited to be a part of the project in Malaysia. To ensure
the smooth operation of the power station, once completed, we will equip
the facility with our Jaeger modules, which have proven better performance
in resistance to light induced degradation (LID) and light and elevated
temperature-induced degradation (LeTID). Our optimised Jaeger modules can
minimise hotspots and the impacts from shade effect on their performance
in power generation. With lower total cost of ownership and labour expense,
our modules will bring the project owner a lower levelised cost of electricity
(LCOE) and higher income from power generation.”
Besides the PV market in Malaysia, Risen Energy has expanded its presence
across major markets in the U.S., Europe, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and
the Asia-Pacific region. Notably, the company has achieved remarkable
results in Kazakhstan and Ukraine, among other markets along “the Belt and
Road.” Additionally, Risen Energy is accelerating the growth of its energy
storage business as its integrated “PV + energy storage” and “PV + energy
storage + charging”. Furthermore, smart micro grid solutions have been used
in commercial applications.
Risen Energy is experiencing an increase in both its top line and bottom
line as the firm continues expanding globally at a steady pace. Its financial
forecasts for the first three quarters of 2019 expects a net profit between
765-815 million yuan (approx. US$107-114 million), an increase of 262.40%-
286.09% year-on-year.
47

M: +63 921 7105796

Motion Solutions for
Clean Energy Applications
www.thomsonlinear.com

NEWS
CleanChoice
Energy Now
Enrolling
Subscribers for 8
MW Community
Solar Portfolio
New Facilities Will Allow Nearly 1500
New York Residents to Save Money on
Utility Bills and Support Regional Solar
Farms
CleanChoice Energy, a renewable energy
company that empowers people and
businesses to cut emissions and live cleaner,
healthier lives, is now accepting subscriptions
for an 8 MW community solar portfolio to be
built in both Albany and Orange County New
50
York. The new solar farms will allow nearly
1,500 New York residents - from across the
region - to access the benefits of solar while
saving up to 10 percent on their utility bills. The
project will service utility customers in Central
Hudson, Orange and Rockland Counties and
will be developed and owned by Ameresco,
Inc., a leading energy efficiency and renewable
energy company.

“New York residents can now save up to 10
percent on their utility bills while supporting
regional solar growth,” said Tom Matzzie,
Founder and CEO of CleanChoice Energy. “Our
goal is to make supporting renewable energy
as easy as possible. With community solar,
almost everyone with a utility bill can access
the benefits of solar.”
“New York is at the forefront of environmental
stewardship, empowering communities with
cost-effective, clean energy options,” said
David J. Anderson, Executive Vice President
and Director at Ameresco. “This project will
enable nearly 1,500 New York residents to
support renewable energy and save money on
their utility bills. We applaud the state for being
a leader in renewable energy and are proud to
partner on a project that expands New York’s
community solar power portfolio and supports
their ambitious climate goals.”
Current Central Hudson customers can learn
more about supporting solar here.
Existing Orange & Rockland customers can
learn more here.
About CleanChoice Energy
CleanChoice Energy empowers people
and businesses to cut emissions, support
renewable energy, and live cleaner lives.
Founded in 2012, the company has become
one of the fastest-growing businesses in
America, as ranked on the Inc 5000 and
Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500. CleanChoice
Energy is a Certified B Corporation, a member
of the American Sustainable Business Council
and the U.S. Green Building Council. For more
information or to become a customer, visit
CleanChoiceEnergy.com.
About Ameresco, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:
AMRC) is a leading independent provider of
comprehensive services, energy efficiency,
infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability
and renewable energy solutions for businesses
and organizations throughout North America
and Europe.
51

TECTUS® Energy
TECTUS Energy
Integrated permanent
power transfer

N E W S
S T O R I E S
A Smart Helmet to Detect Covid-19
Infection
* World Security unveiled a new Smart Helmet
that is designed to make contactless detection
of people potentially infected with COVID-19
while ensuring the highest levels of safety and
security
* World Security is the first security services
provider in the UAE to adopt and use the
revolutionary headgear which is packed
with high-precision sensors, processors and
transmission systems
World Security, the innovative security solutions provider of DP World, UAE Region has unveiled
a new Smart Helmet that is designed to make contactless detection of people potentially infected
with COVID-19, and help ease the movement of traffic in areas where it operates, while ensuring
the highest levels of safety and security.
World Security is the first security services provider in the UAE to adopt and use the revolutionary
headgear, which is a product of decades of innovation and research and is positioned to be the
first choice for epidemic prevention activities. Made of advanced tough, yet lightweight materials,
it is packed with high-precision sensors,
processors and transmission systems.
The KC N901 Smart Helmet’s top five
powerful functions are: Efficient contactless
temperature recording, rapid screening for
both indoors and outdoors, rapid screening
of vehicles and passengers, and rapid face
recognition and identity verification, using
thermal imaging that enables the invisible
visible.
54

Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director, DP World, UAE
Region, said: “With the reopening of the economy, we have now entered
a new phase where monitoring public places for potential infection has
become imperative. By introducing this technology at a time when the fight
against the pandemic is in full swing, World Security has reaffirmed its
commitment to keeping the community secure. As the frontline economic
growth engine, DP World, UAE Region and its businesses are strictly
adhering to the COVID-19 containment programme requirements, and
we’re constantly working towards introducing such new and effective
measures to ensure business continuity.”
A key to the security requirements of DP World and many other crown jewel
economic assets in Dubai, World Security has been providing security
solutions for over two decades in the region. The global pandemic was
a never-before tackled, new challenge encountered by this established
company and required unprecedented solutions.
55

MV TM SERIES: MVX 60 CELL MODULES
®
High-quality and high-efficiency
PV yields sensible solar
The Brilliance of Solar Made Sensible®
SUNIVA MV TM SERIES MULTICRYSTALLINE SOLAR MODULES
MV TM SERIES: MVX 60 CELL MODULES
Suniva’s MV TM series modules are made of world
class quality multicrystalline solar cells to bring you a
reliable yield even under demanding conditions.
Offering industry-leading performance, MV TM modules
have a positive power tolerance to ensure reliable
output. Ideal for residential rooftop systems, and on or
off-grid commercial and utility systems, MV TM modules
provide excellent value, performance and reliability.
Certifications 1 :
Engineering Excellence
Features
Quality & Reliability
• Built with world class quality
multicrystalline cells, providing
excellent performance value
• Suniva’s state-of-the art
manufacturing facility features
the most advanced equipment
and technology
• Suniva is a U.S. –based company
spun out from the Georgia Tech
University Center of Excellence in
Photovoltaics (one of only two such
research centers in the U.S.)
• Positive only power tolerance
ensures predictable output
• Provides industry-leading 25 year
linear warranty (with 10 year warranty
on workmanship and materials)
• Marine grade aluminum frame
• TUV salt corrosion resistance tested
Suniva MV TM series modules are
manufactured and warranted to our
specifications assuring consistent high
performance and quality worldwide.
Our specifications include:
• Rigorous quality management
• Performance longevity with
advanced polymer backsheet
• Produced in an ISO 9001: 2008 facility
• System and design services available
• Certified PID free 2
• Ask about our validated PAN files 3
OUR PRODUCTS:
Monocrystalline Modules
OPTIMUS SERIES 60 cell
OPTIMUS SERIES 72 cell
Multicrystalline Modules
MV SERIES 60 cell
MV SERIES 72 cell
Monocrystalline Cells
19%+ efficiency
Balance of Systems Solutions (BOSS)
Racking, Inverters, Batteries, Energy
Storage Appliances and EV Chargers

N E W S
S T O R I E S
Air Dryers Vs. Paper Towels:
What’s the Difference?
Washing of hands is important especially
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proper handwashing not only reduces
the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), it can
prevent the spread of other viral illnesses such
as cold and flu.
According to Unicef, respiratory viruses like
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread when
mucus or droplets containing the virus get into
your body through your eyes, nose or throat.
Most often, this happens through your hands.
Hands are also one of the most common ways
that the virus spreads from one person to the
next. During a global pandemic, one of the
cheapest, easiest, and most important ways to
prevent the spread of a virus is to wash your
hands frequently with soap and water.
However, we do not address what happens
after handwashing.
Convenience rooms or toilets are primarily used
for every human’s egestion activities. Today, as
long as they are kept appropriately clean, they
are some of the favorite places in a building.
One area of priority in a toilet is the process of
hand drying after toilet use.
Hand drying is generally done by the use of
a paper towel or air dryers. However, there
is a persistent debate on which hand drying
method is best. This has given rise to queries
such as, “are hand dryers cleaner than paper
towels?” and vice versa.
Here, we examine the debate and what makes
the difference between these two methods of
hand drying.
58

Why Hand Hygiene Is Important
A lot of diseases and germs are transmittable by
hand contact. After the preventative measure of
hand washing, hand drying is next in order.
Hand drying is important because any left-over
bacteria on the hands after washing can be
removed. These are other considerations that
make hand drying an important act:
• Hand Washing May Be Done Wrongly: It is
common knowledge that washing the hands with
soap is the most effective hand hygiene habit.
However, there is no quality control system to
confirm proper handwashing in a toilet. Hand
drying is then the last resort to save most people.
• Germs Can Easily Be Passed Through Wet Skin:
Germs tend to remain on improperly washed
hands. The hand in a wet state can quickly transfer
just about any form of germ to other surfaces.
Germ survival is less likely on dry skin.
The use of air dryers and paper towels are the
main methods of hand drying. As mentioned, there
has been a constant comparison on which of the
two is the best.
Let’s examine them.
Hygiene
Paper towels are the clear winner in this
comparison. Paper towels are one-use. All you
need to do is wipe your hands with it and then
dump them in the bin. This accounts for effective
hand drying and less contamination within the
space of the toilet.
Jet air dryers blow fast air to the point that it
might cause germs to fly through the toilet space.
This puts other and future toilet users at risk of
contamination. Warm hand dryers, with the warm
environment they create, are believed to aid
bacteria growth.
59

Building
for the environment
Bioclimatic architecture is the latest buzzword
in construction. But since antiquity, the Greeks
knew how to position settlements and
buildings to take full advantage of the sun and
air for heating, cooling, and light.

THE FUTURE
OF CONCENTRATED SOLAR
POWER PLANTS
PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS

N E W S
S T O R I E S
Also, it might require more discipline to
use a hand dryer. Toilet users sometimes
have to wait for up to a minute for the
air dryer to dry their hands thoroughly.
If many people are waiting in line to
use the air dryer, some might forgo it
completely. This increases the likelihood
of having incompletely dried hands
when leaving the toilet, increasing
their risk of contracting and spreading
germs.
The Cost Difference
Both air dryers and paper towels serve
the fundamental purpose of maintaining
healthy habits. From a medical point
of view, cost shouldn’t be a factor of
consideration. Still, cost drives most
business decisions. So, it must be
considered.
A paper towel dispenser has a very
insignificant initial cost, but its running
cost racks up your expenses pretty
quickly. On the other hand, air dryers
are known for their higher initial cost of
purchase and significantly lower running
costs.
The running cost of paper towel
dispenser comes from the cost of
buying paper towels while that of an air
dryer comes from energy costs. You can
lower both operating costs by buying
less expensive paper towels and buying
more energy-efficient air dryers.
In this comparison, the air dryer wins.
This is because paper towels still cost
so much more over the years, and their
use is hardly controllable.
62
Environmental Friendliness
The carbon footprint of both hand drying methods
must also be weighed to know which one performs
better.
Paper towels can be examined based on the
material they are made of and how they are disposed
of after use. Paper towels are made of a new paper
from trees or recycled waste papers. Trees are used
to produce paper towels, which has a considerable
effect on the environment. Although paper towels
can be made with recycled paper, they end up in
landfills or are composted because they cannot be
recycled.

Notably, paper towels do not use
electricity. However, they have
a long chain of production and
disposal that negatively impacts
the environment.
Air dryers, on the other hand,
have a high environmental
impact when in use. About 20
to 80 grams of CO2 equivalents
are produced whenever they are
used. However, there are more
energy-efficient options, like jet
air dryers. Most of them come
with tags that detail their energy
efficiency.
Air dryers win in this comparison
rank.
Modern and Low Maintenance Option
Air dryers are a more advanced option compared to paper towels. They typically look trendy,
parched against the wall as though they are interior decoration items. This is one of the reasons
many organizations invest in them. Also, air dryers are a low maintenance option. They do not
require a trash can or ever get exhausted.
Paper towel trash cans need to be cleaned out and the dispenser refilled often. Using paper
towels might amount to an increase in toilet staff responsibilities.
Air dryers, on the other hand, afford easier toilet cleaning and less concern on how users will get
their hands cleaned.
Final Thoughts
The debate between air dryers and paper towels is most unlikely to end soon. This is partly
because it is a debate being used to fuel the marketing of either product. The priority in hand
drying is to ensure that maximum hand hygiene is achieved.
Paper towels are the winners when it comes to hand hygiene. However, air dryers trump paper
towels in terms of cost, environmental friendliness, and a more modern outlook.
Many businesses may opt for an air dryer without much consideration. However, it is a worthy
consideration that companies who want to maintain a very hygienic environment go for paper
towels. The prioritization of hygiene over costs can be an excellent way to boost company image.
63

SOLARWATT
Glass-Foil Solar Modules
The SOLARWATT M135-55 GET AK Solar Modules developed for power grid
connected photovoltaic systems integrate the well-known properties of all
SOLARWATT´s modules such as a high quality, large energy yields and very
low power tolerance with an efficient installation and an outstanding cost
effectiveness.
SOLARWATT M135-55 GET AK
The modules manufactured in Glass-FoilsLamination Technology
have an extremly high mechanical stability and are therefore very
resistant against environmental influences.
monocrystalline solar cell
with 16 - 17% efficiency,
125 x 125 mm
1526
716
SOLARWATT AG
Maria-Reiche-Straße 2a
01109 Dresden, Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 3 51 / 88 95-0
Fax +49 (0) 3 51 / 88 95-111
www.solarwatt.de
info@solarwatt.de
Certified acc. to:
DIN EN ISO 9001 and 14001

SOLON SOLiberty • EN
SOLON SOLiberty
Energy Storage Solution.
Greater Independence Through On-site
Consumption.
SOLON
Innovation
High-performance energy storage for up to 70% independent electrical
power supply
Spacious battery system with an industrial-quality 24 kWh lead-acid battery
Simple upgrading for current PV plants
Low acquisition and maintenance costs
Quality product with a ten-year performance guarantee
Fully recyclable battery system and affordable replacement terms
Powered by

N E W S
S T O R I E S
The Covid-19 Survival of Engineering
Companies Lies in Digitalization
The impact of the
Coronavirus has been
a shock reverberating
across every aspect of our
lives and in every business.
In the engineering sector, the
current global pandemic is
forcing the hands of industrial,
construction, manufacturing,
energy, and HVAC to prepare
for a post-COVID-19 world.
As many countries are
beginning to relax, or look at
relaxing, measures imposed
as a result of the crisis,
engineering firms need to
be ready to rapidly evolve to
address a very different world
and a possible recession.
The future of engineering
and contracting services
is a moving target, and
institutions must streamline
their operations and be able
to cost-effectively bring the
66
right products to the right
customers.
It is important that engineering
and tech companies are able
to adapt in order to ensure a
smooth reopening of financial
markets and the economy,
whether that be digital or
physical.
Being agile won’t just
save us, it will sustain us
To succeed in a market that
keeps changing, you need
to be able to move quickly
and be agile, composing new
products and services faster.
Even with restrictions
relaxing in many countries,
the expectation is that many
employees will continue to
work from home and that
face-to-face interactions will
continue to be limited. The
value of enabling an agile
engineering workforce through
digitalization has increased
even more. Simply put, new
solutions are needed across
many industrial sectors, and
the push for digital remains a
top priority.
There are also millions unable
to work who are receiving
support from governments
backed by banks and financial
institutions by implementing
measures like payment
holidays and delayed interest
payments. This is where
the ability to be agile and
flexible, and work in a dynamic
environment is vital.
Investing in digitalization and
putting it at the center of the
engineering strategy provides
a competitive edge and
longevity. To build the best
experience, tech companies

need to start changing with the
market, instead of hoping the
market will stop changing.
Enter composable
banking for engineering
firms
Today, even the simplest
banking service involves a
complex orchestration of
core systems, transaction
processing, decisionmaking,
reporting, analytics,
authentication, security and
more. Monolithic platforms
make it harder to incorporate
the latest capabilities and
tools, and the opportunity for
financial institutions today is
to replace any component
whenever needed without
embracing new technical risk.
Composable banking is a
new approach to building
banks and lending businesses
that treats change as a
constant. It is about having the
control to use fit-for-purpose
technologies to compose
precisely the right design and
delivery of financial services
infrastructure.
With fintechs coming in and
attracting industrial customers
with digital offerings, it
becomes increasingly
important for the established
ones, like the big banks,
to work on retaining their
engineering customers by
digitising, and fast. To serve
an agile market, financial
institutions need to compose
new products and features
faster than everyone else to
predict demand and to better
serve existing customers like
renewables, contractors, oil
& gas, construction, water
treatment and telecoms.
Composable banking offers
innovative solutions for
organisations to create their
own architecture for new
products and services faster.
It helps financial institutions
create modern customer
experiences to compete in the
digital era — and constantly
evolve them to respond to
change.
Embracing the fintech
era for engineering
companies
COVID-19 has had a
transformative effect across
societies, economics
and offices. As market
dynamics keep on changing,
engineering, energy, industrial
and technology have a chance
to make a positive impact on
their customers.
There is one thing in common
for organisations, regardless
of how far they have come with
digitalization. The COVID-19
pandemic has made it clear
that you can no longer
manage your business the
same way as before.
In the long-term, companies
can choose to embrace the
new world based on rapid
evolution and modern ways
of working, or continue on the
old paths which will see them
unable to adapt when needed
most.
For many businesses,
adopting new and agile
ways of operating based on
composable banking will help
guide their path and prepare
them for the very different time
that lies ahead of us.
67

SOLON photovoltaic modules
Reduce C0 2 emissions by 15,000 kg/kW p over a 20-year period
Greater power from the same surface area
Solar glass ensures high energy yields
Individual performance data sheets for each module
Made in Germany
Modules
SOLON is one of the main manufacturers of solar modules in Europe, offering its customers only high-grade
quality modules. An excellent energy yield is guaranteed because we use high-quality crystalline solar cells and
tempered solar glass that is extremely transparent.
Solar glass
We use special solar glass from well-known suppliers for manufacturing our photovoltaic modules. This glass
has a special surface structure and an increased light transmittance. This significantly increases the energy yields
of the SOLON solar energy systems – over the entire module lifetime.
Frames
Our module frames are made from extruded anodised aluminium. They are extremely torsion
resistant, have drainage bores, and are suitable for all existing installation systems. On request
SOLON can provide modules without frames.
Power output guarantee
The module's output will still be 90 percent in 10 years, and 80 percent in 25 years, based
on the minimum output levels at delivery. Please find our power output guarantee
on our website at www.solon-pv.com/english/service.
Certification
SOLON modules are tested by TÜV (German Technical Inspection Agency),
certified according to IEC 61215 Edition II and IEC 61730.

Solutions for
Wind Turbine Systems

N E W S
S T O R I E S
The Future Of Engineering And Its
Impact On The Industry
There is no doubt that Genetic Engineering,
which is the basis of modern Molecular
Biotechnology, will be the most interesting
scientific field of the next century. Because
the initial achievements to date promise a
lot. Although they evoke mixed feelings of
excitement, anxiety and confusion in the
world, as seen recently with the possible
modernization of human cloning or genetic
control of longevity, and many others.
The opportunities are only likely to grow
across all areas, especially the Asian and
Middle Eastern markets where new concepts
are forever evolving. In this instance, people
wanting to move into this line of work should
look at educating themselves in all areas
of advancements and give yourself the
opportunity to complete your goals.
Change is coming
Due to the advance of digitization, the range
of job profiles demanded by employers is
increasingly wide and jobs are constantly
appearing that until a few years ago were
unthinkable that they existed. This makes the
gap between job demand and the reality of the
labor market widening.
The engineering sector is particularly
affected for this reason, it is one of the
sectors that generates the most vacancies
and it is very difficult to fill them, according
to an analysis of trends in the labor market
carried out by the human resources company
Randstad. The market needs expert
professionals in all emerging branches of
engineering.
Any company must have a multidisciplinary
profile, with great versatility and analytical
capacity, strategic vision, proactivity and
adaptation to change, since they are
the characteristics most sought after by
companies. Especially after the COVID-19
crisis, it’s vital that companies are providing
adequate risk assessments for all workers - or
could humanity be replaced by more digital
aspects?
Some of the areas and profiles most in
demand in the short and medium term are:
70
• Electrical engineering: Due to the growth
of society, the need to meet various
requirements in the fields of engineering
related to the generation and use of energy,

Robotics in more areas?
the design of electromechanical elements and
the automation of systems is generated.
• Smart cities: The population is increasingly
concentrated in cities, which are experiencing
a rapid evolution towards aspects of intelligent
management of resources, efficient urban
planning, sustainable mobility and other
elements that make up a Smart City. This
panorama requires the specialized work of
engineers with knowledge in Open Data,
artificial intelligence and systems and
application development capable of creating
technologies for these objectives.
• Biomedicine and biotechnology: Although
engineers already had a presence in the
medical and health areas, it is one of the newer
professions at an academic level.
• Industrial organization: It is one of the least
technical profiles of engineering in the industrial
field, but it is one of the most demanded by
companies and, also, one of the most successful
among students despite being relatively new.
• Industrial design: Design is applied in all
aspects of society. Its objective, however, is not
only aesthetic, but also seeks to make all the
products it creates more useful, comfortable
and efficient. Design is a distinctive element in
the very competitive market in which we find
ourselves.
The main challenge of building robotics
continues to be the integration of robotics
from the controlled environment of a factory to
a changing environment such as construction
activities. The potential of the robot is its
ability to carry out work beyond mere manual
operation, but also beyond industrial repetition
and its direct control by digital data. Robots
are becoming more autonomous and can
perform more functions and tasks, reducing
the waiting time for them to be used in
construction.
At first, the supervision of professionals and
their interaction with robots in construction will
be essential. Robots’ difficulty in navigating
complex environments will initially require
significant human intervention. However, the
trend is for less skilled workers to be replaced
by robots, while higher skilled workers will
collaborate with the latter.
The speed and precision of a robot can
dramatically increase productivity on
a construction site. The challenge is
undoubtedly the ability to program it to
perform the right tasks efficiently. In addition
to the benefit in the field of productivity, the
accident rate of workers will also be reduced,
as robots carry out part of the jobs that
involve more occupational risks. Robotics
can completely transform construction as we
understand it today.
The impact of technology in construction
can influence not only work processes, but
also architecture, engineering and creativity
in the design of new environments. The
great challenge is that robots do not replace
human capacity and that they help improve
architecture, aesthetics, productivity, design,
safety and quality of life for construction
professionals.
71

Solar Transport
Case Study
Solar
Transport
Solar Transport fuels competitive
differentiation with Citrix
cloud-based solutions
citrixonline.com

colletore solare a profili
RK2300 Alpin
www.solarsales.eu

N E W S
S T O R I E S
Data and Digitization Report
UAE Market
Executive summary
74
As data volumes continue to grow and become more
disparate by the day, the time is now for organizations to
implement ways to efficiently leverage this critical data.
In July 2019, Alteryx surveyed 500 United Arab Emirates
(UAE) businesses to understand how data and analytics
are driving their businesses to thrive in this data-led world.
The new Alteryx-commissioned research uncovers the
benefits and impact of data analytics in digitization projects
across six of the most digitally advanced countries in
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-
Pacific (APAC).

This report summarizes the key findings of the research and uses
the information gathered to provide a snapshot into how companies
across the UAE are progressing in their analytic journey. It explores
the current thinking into the value of data, the primary data
challenges, the culture of data and analytics and the key technology
enablers to demonstrate how a smart approach to data guides the
way to successful digitization.
Commenting on the findings of the research, Alan Jacobson,
chief data and analytics officer at Alteryx said:
“The business case for data has truly been acknowledged. While
many are still balancing data inefficiencies with the challenge
of a shortage of skilled data workers, this latest research from
Alteryx underscores that investing in data and analytics alone
won’t deliver real business-altering results. Whether performing
precision marketing to improve sales or analysing data from various
departments across an organization, the world of business is quickly
becoming the world of analytics. A smart approach to data and a
data literate culture will guide the way for successful digitalization.”
Abboud Ghanem, Senior Director – Middle East and Africa at
Alteryx, added:
“There is no doubt that data is key in driving business success
in the minds of businesses across the UAE. Every data worker,
regardless of technical acumen, wants to be able to easily find and
understand what information is at their disposal; have the flexibility
to prep, blend, enhance and analyse data from more sources; and
easily operationalise analytic models through a collaborative and
governed platform. At Alteryx, we will continue to make the Alteryx
Platform easier to use for all data workers, while extending its ability
to handle more sophisticated data science outcomes for trained data
statisticians in order to create an analytics-centric culture across most
every industry and functional areas of business.”
Data is permeating every part of business and is key to success
• With over three quarters of survey respondents (79%) agreeing that data is a critical corporate
asset for driving the business forward it’s clear that businesses are taking advantage of what
seems to be insurmountable data sources across industries and internal functions.
• When it comes to where businesses are in their analytical journey, almost two thirds (62%) of
UAE businesses class themselves in the advanced stages of their analytic journeys.
• For those businesses leveraging data for insights over two fifths (41%) report the major
business benefit as increased productivity, followed by over one third (36%) citing they gained
better insight into customers, and over one third (34%) stating the ability to make savings and
efficiencies for my department or organisation.
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• Businesses are also seeing soft benefits increase. Over three quarters (79%) agreed that using
data analytics has helped break down internal silos. Respondents cited improved employee
satisfaction (41%) as a benefit of using data. Overall two in five (40%) said that analytics
improved work-life balance and are able to better balance their lives after embracing data in their
role.
Businesses can’t win in analytics without the human element
• With digital skills classed as a major priority for businesses, over four in five (83%) agree that
everything they are investing in data and analytics is useless without people who understand it.
• Proving that businesses simply cannot proceed to tackle the technical challenges existing in a
data-driven industry without the right workforce, more than two fifths (41%) reported that it was
easier to access the talent needed to manage analytics than last year, while almost one in three
(32%) have a team of dedicated data scientists for all their analytics work.
• Only one in five businesses reported that a talent shortage prevented them from becoming a
data-driven business.
• Those who are leveraging data report several key factors that they still need to overcome in
order to be more efficient. When allocating time to performing impactful data analyses, one in
three (33%) cite data quality as a big challenge to building a data pipeline for the business,
followed by almost one third (30%) stating a lack of strong data governance is a major
contributing factor to wasted time that could have been spent assembling insights.
A culture of data and analytics is needed to transform data into actionable insights
• When it comes to the building blocks for their digital transformation initiatives, over four in five
(81%) agree that empowering people is the key to digital transformation.
• Stressing that empowering employees to affect business-change with data will enable them to
succeed in their digital transformation initiatives, over one third (35%) state a culture of data and
analytics will be the biggest game changer for analytics success while two fifths (40%) state they
need more focus on employee skills and talent to drive transformation.
• Businesses are starting to build this culture to derive value out of their data, as almost one third
(30%) have a clear enablement strategy based around community, training, and tools that drives
our data analytics usage and over one quarter (29%) hold regular data workshops to inspire data
workers to generate insights as part of our data analytics strategy.

N E W S
S T O R I E S
• In an increasingly data-driven world, over two thirds (70%) of respondents agree that data is so
valuable that it’s become a new currency, and the same number agree data progression is also
key to career progression.
Technology can be an enabler or constraint to data analytics success
• Proving data will always be at the forefront and one of the most important drivers of success
and true digital disruption, businesses across the UAE reported the top three technology
enablers having the greatest impact on their business today as data and analytics (42%),
artificial intelligence/machine learning (36%) and blockchain (33%).
• When asked their top technology priorities to continually modernize their analytic journey, UAE
businesses digital transformation enablers (47%), getting more value out of our data resources
(47%), and further investment in data platforms and services (46%) in order to accelerate timeto-insight
and break barriers.
• Technology can also be a constraint to a data-driven business. When asked which key
technology enablers they are prioritizing investment in within the next five years to support a
variety of initiative for data analytics success almost one third cited data and analytics (32%), just
ahead of blockchain (28%), and artificial intelligence/machine learning (27%).
• UAE businesses anticipate the biggest technology game-changers for data analytics success
within the next five years to include: self-service analytics (31%), augmented data discovery
(27%) and explainable AI (27%).

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N E W S
S T O R I E S
Sharaf DG Energy challenges
warehouses and factories to reduce
emissions
Sharaf DG Energy advises companies to look to their warehouses as the first step to becoming
more sustainable
Sharaf DG Energy, one of the leading solar
energy solution providers in the UAE vows to
tackle the issue of climate change head on,
stating that the starting point should be within
warehouses and factories across the region.
Manufacturing represents 54% of the world’s
energy consumption and is responsible
for 20% of global emissions – increase in
efficiency can help to conserve energy and
contribute to global CO2 reductions. Rising
environmental issues and growing economic
uncertainty means manufacturers must rework
their current practices to ensure more is
done to reduce harmful emissions and waste
disposal that has a negative impact on the
planet.
The logistics industry is becoming increasingly
aware of its ecological impacts meaning
warehouses and factories are the perfect
starting place for companies to implement
sustainable solutions. A combination of
extensive unused rooftop space, the need for
generating clean and reliable energy and the
possibility of generating additional income
makes warehouse ideal for solar.
The concept behind green logistics is to create
measurable reductions in CO2 emissions
due to daily operations from logistics and
warehousing activities. To optimize operations,
it is essential to create strategies that will lower
costs and conserve energy.

“As the climate emergency accelerates, factories and warehouses must adapt and create
new strategies with sustainability at the core of their business” says Vice President of
Sharaf DG Energy, Sanjay Dabur. “There is an opportunity to turn the negative into positive
and use the current environmental climate as an opportunity to look internally – Middle
East manufacturers should implement the necessary changes towards becoming more
sustainable – streamline processes and begin to see this as an opportunity as apposed to
a threat”.
“Installing solar panels on a warehouse is financially beneficial as well as a great way to
utilise empty roof space” says Mr. Dabur. “The key advantage of using solar panels is that
a warehouse can become more self-reliant by producing its own energy which can amount
to significant savings over time”.
Sharaf DG Energy believes the companies that will successfully navigate the current
environmental issues are those that embrace sustainable solutions across their factories
and supply chains – improving operations whilst increasing sustainability means higher
productivity and smoother processes that will in turn benefit all areas of the company.
By making the switch to solar, Dubai warehouses could benefit from extensive annual
savings, security from producing their own clean energy that isn’t dependant on stability of
the energy market, along with the biggest advantage being less pollution of the planet.
Sharaf DG Energy was founded in 2014 as a progressive and forward-thinking enterprise
– bringing together global experience and local knowledge to create sustainable energy
solutions.
Sharaf DG Energy hails from the wider Sharaf Group comprising of 47 companies with
presence in 40 countries across MENA, Africa, India & Asia. The Sharaf Group continues
to dominate sectors including Shipping & logistics, Industrial, real estate, travel & tourism,
IT and financial & retail since its establishment in 1975.

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