Air-conditioning industry conference organised by TECNALIA and AFEC

 AFEC (Spanish Association of Air-conditioning Equipment Manufacturers) and TECNALIA organised a conference called “Challenges and Business Opportunities for the Air-conditioning Sector”, aimed at informing companies about competitiveness and growth opportunities offered by the market, both nationally and internationally.

The conference was officially opened by Luis Mena, Chairman of AFEC. Next, Galo Gutiérrez, Managing Director of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises for the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (MINCOTUR), highlighted how the ministry is supporting the industry in order to achieve a transition towards a decarbonised economy.

Santiago González, from the Department of Regulation and Energy Transition of the IDAE (Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving), stated that the goals of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, as well as energy efficiency legislation, offer new business and funding opportunities for energy-efficient and innovative technologies. María del Pilar González, Head of the Institutional Promotion and Territorial Development Department of the CDTI (Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology), talked about ways of funding to foster R&D and innovation.

On a more technological note, Federico Muñoz, Technical-Sales Director of the CEIS (Innovation and Services Testing Centre), stressed the importance of air-conditioning equipment certification, conformity assessment, digital technologies like the IoT, and automation for the sector.

Furthermore, Felipe Trebilcock, from TECNALIA, presented new cooling developments and energy efficiency technologies; and Sergio Saiz, Director of the Energy Efficiency and Planning Area at TECNALIA, talked about the technologies of change for the value chain, and Digital Energy.

The conference also included two round tables. The first one was moderated by Asier Maiztegi and dealt with energy and industrial policies, and challenges, opportunities and threats for a new domestic and international market. Representatives of IDAE, ANESE, A3e and the College of Quantity Surveyors of Madrid took part. The second round table, led by Pilar Budí, General Manager of AFEC, revolved around the commoditisation and servitisation of technologies, competitiveness and innovation. It included representatives of CDTI, idea and ANESE.

Finally, Luis Mena, Chairman of AFEC, closed the event by saying that he believed it was a key conference for companies in this sector who want to innovate and be more competitive, by adapting their organisations, products and services to legal requirements and market demands.

Further information

Press release by AFEC (Spanish Association of Air-conditioning Equipment Manufacturers)