ASHRAE Journal - April 2011 - 12

industry news

Feed-In Tarriffs Helped and Hurt
MADRID—Spain ranks second to Germany in both solar and wind installations, mainly because of government-funded feed-in tariffs (FITs) that guarantee above markets rates for electricity generated for 20 years after a project is completed. There have been problems, however, with relying on FITs. Spain’s generous solar subsidy led to an overabundance of photovoltaic (PV) projects in the country in 2008, overheating the global PV market and committing Spanish taxpayers to an estimated $26.5 billion to cover the total FIT costs over the lifetime of the projects. When the Spanish FIT was lowered after September 2008, a PV supply glut resulted, driving down the price of solar panels and lowering profits throughout the industry.

Efficiency and renewable energy were driving forces at Climatización. Here, an attendee checks out the OK-SOL150, integrated solar system from Orkli.

Optimism Prevails At Spanish Trade Fair
MADRID—The building construction market in Spain has been suffering since 2007 but the mood was upbeat at Climatización on March 1 – 4, and there were signs the economy is turning in a positive direction. Visitor attendance was up 2.34% at 47,997, which included 4,343 professionals from 80 countries. And the number of companies represented was virtually unchanged at 1,172, as was net exhibit space at 37 025 m2 (398,534 ft2). But the numbers don’t illustrate the mood on the show floor at the 14th edition of the biennial trade fair. While not euphoric, it was certainly optimistic, as major global players and Spain-based companies displayed an array of technologies and products in the spacious Feria de Madrid. Notable among notables was Daikin McQuay, which occupied three large spaces, displaying products from residential splits, to advanced variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, to large chillers and air handlers. “The Spanish market has been suffering as people have been unable to spend, but we’re starting to see improvement,” said Jesus M. Martinez, coordinator of commercial projects for Daikin AC, Spain.
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Jan-Åke Börjesson, director at Adispa, had similar comments. His company makes air exhaust systems and has a factory in Barcelona. “We’re seeing improvement,” he said, “but we might have to live with this for awhile.” “The Spanish economy has been waiting for better times, but they’ll come,” said Alex Rasmussen, managing director at Systemair, a major manufacturer of air handlers. As with previous editions of Climatización, the driving force for exhibitors and buyers was energy efficiency and renewable energy. Some 45% of Spanish electrical consumption goes for air conditioning. This trend was reflected in the Innovation Gallery (see sidebar on Page 14) and the show floor, which was filled with solar technologies, including at least 42 companies with solar panels for heating. The trend was also reflected in presentations at Foroclima, a corresponding technical conference attended by more than 2,700 visitors. An example was a paper on solar thermal air conditioning that was presented by David Hernández García of Climatewell. The paper explains why solar cooling can be efficient and cost effective.

Market Meltdown
MADRID—For 15 years prior to 2007, Spain was a paradise for architects and engineers with an incredible number of buildings built, according to conversations on the show floor. But the building boom was accompanied by exorbitant price increases. According to one source, prices increased by 247% between 1997–2005. By 2008, 28% of Spain’s houses were vacant and building construction was slowing to a near standstill. Today, the average homeowner pays 55% of his wages on home repayment, and the market is characterized by tight lending conditions and high interest rates. “Although solar thermal can achieve a high coverage for heating, a conventional (heating) source is still needed because we get less solar radiation when heat is most needed,” he said. “With cold air conditioning systems, there is a match between supply (solar radiation) and demand (the need for refrigeration).” Climatización is organized by IFEMA, the Trade Fair Institution of Madrid. The next Climatización will be held in 2013.
April 2011

ASHRAE Journal - April 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - April 2011