Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning, the manufacturer of air-conditioner brand ‘Hitachi Cooling and Heating’ has achieved EDGE certification in June for its Global Engineering Development Center at Kadi in Gujarat.
The Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) is a Green Building certification system developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. The EDGE certification is aimed at recognising projects in the building sector that focuses on reducing their environmental footprint especially in emerging economies, in three main areas with at least 20% savings in energy, water and embodied energy materials.
Johnson Controls – Hitachi Air Conditioning’s Global Engineering Development Center in India has shown achievement in each of the three areas with 32% energy savings, 47% water savings and 29% reduction in embodied energy in materials, which led to the center achieving the EDGE Certificate.
Talking about the same, Gurmeet Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India, said, “At Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning, we accord top priority to sustainability in every aspect of our business. We have been focusing on reducing our environmental impact through extensive research & development, culminating in innovative and pathbreaking products.”
“It is a matter of immense pride for us that we achieved the globally renowned EDGE certification for our Global Development Center in India which drives our world-class innovation capabilities and plays an important role in developing products suited to the needs of diverse markets globally. The center not only met the global standard set by the IFC but went above and beyond. The EDGE certificate is a reflection and reiteration of our commitment to the environment,” he added.
Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning’s Global Development Center is a state-of-the-art research and engineering facility which drives the company’s innovation capabilities. Set up with an investment of over Rs. 150 Cr., it is the company’s fourth Global Development Center, alongside three others located overseas. It was inaugurated in 2019 by Vijaybhai Rupani, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Ever since its inception, multiple initiatives have been taken towards making it resource efficient and sustainable. For example, to achieve the 32% reduction in energy consumption, the building’s window-to-wall ratio was reduced to 40% for lesser solar radiation heat gain, low-E coated glass was used to reduce heat loss in winters and prevent heat entry in summers. Hitachi’s energy efficient Variable Refrigerant Flow air conditioning system has been deployed and solar photovoltaics have been installed to support a part of the overall energy use.
To bring up water savings to 47%, the company uses blackwater treatment and recycling system. They have also installed low flow faucets, water closets with dual flush mechanism and water efficient urinals in the washrooms and in the kitchen have water efficient faucets to reduce water wastage.
The company chose energy efficient building materials for the floor slabs, roof, external and internal walls etc to achieve 29%. The flooring has been done with ceramic tiles and nylon carpet, and double-glazed Aluminum window frames have been used.
The Global Development Center is located next to the company’s India business unit’s manufacturing facility in Kadi, Gujarat. This also maximizes synergy with the R&D and manufacturing teams of the India unit, to develop cutting edge innovations in air conditioning benefiting Indian customers.
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