Gord launches Qatar’s energy efficiency testing facility

The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (Gord) has launched EcoLab, Qatar’s pioneering facility for testing energy efficiency and safety of air conditioners and home appliances.Gulf Times had reported about the facility and it will be operational before the end of this year. The facility is run by Gord with high quality testing equipment and well-trained technical experts. A special ceremony was held yesterday to unveil EcoLab in the presence of representatives from government agencies. Located at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), Ecolab is the sole provider of novel energy efficiency testing services in Qatar. The testing of all types of window and split air conditioners are done using state-of-the-art environmental chamber that can simulate the region’s tough climate conditions in terms of temperature and humidity.Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of Gord, said, “Representing the government’s efforts to conserve power, regulations have been passed in favour of energy-efficient air conditioners, which all suppliers in the market must adhere to. Putting this in context, the idea behind EcoLab is to provide testing services necessary to meet the country’s regulatory requirements.” EcoLab, sprawled across 20,000sq ft, will offer a wide range of comprehensive testing facilities. With ISO 17025 certification, EcoLab will operate in accordance with the highest international standards, making the laboratory the first in Qatar to determine the quality of home appliances based on their performance on energy and safety metrics, in addition to indoor air quality testing and portable appliance testing. “We have hired specialists from all over the world who worked tirelessly to build and equip EcoLab in record time. Today, we are proud to present a laboratory that houses latest testing equipment in the region, using advanced control systems that emulate local weather conditions. Going forward, we hope to expand EcoLab’s offerings in areas of product quality testing,” added, Dr Alhorr.With its current capacity, EcoLab can test all types of commercially available home-use air conditioners. Other appliances that can be tested at the facility include exhaust fans, hair dryers, hair straightener and steam iron. The next phase of testing will include refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, water heaters and clothes dryers. Nawaf Ibrahim al-Hamad al-Mana, assistant of the chairman of Qatar General Organisation for Standards and Metrology, said, “We strongly believe that this initiative will boost collaboration between various entities within Qatar, starting from setting standards to conducting necessary tests to verify the compliance of appliances with the specifications required in order to improve the overall quality of products in the local market.” “We are proud to see the launch of EcoLab, which is a first-of-its-kind facility in Qatar. The lab features latest instruments and equipment for measuring energy efficiency of ACs and home appliances. We cannot stress enough the importance of such initiatives that not only benefit multiple sectors but are also in line with the government’s efforts,” Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh, executive director, QSTP, noted.Delegates at the ceremony included senior leadership from prominent public organisations such as the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation represented by Tarsheed, Qatar General Organisation for Standards and Metrology, Qatari Diar for Real Estate Company and Qatar Petrochemical Company.