JEDDAH: Utility and district cooling providers as well as building owners and managers have always faced challenges trying to develop and implement successful maintenance programs. However, management in the Gulf region has a powerful option available to them when it comes to a facility's HVAC operation and maintenance, chiller service and maintenance, as well as district cooling plant operations and maintenance. For one, National Commercial Bank (NCB) has not hesitated in doing just that. In 2004 they outsourced their O&M to Source Energy (SE) – part of National Tri-generation CHP Company – for their Jeddah-based IT building and then later NCB also outsourced their Riyadh regional building as well to Source Energy in the year 2007. As a reliable and efficient source of cooling, heating and power, Source Energy transforms utilities from commodities into a strategy for delivering substantial financial and operational benefits. Applying multi-discipline expertise in full, end-to-end professional services, Source Energy can integrate its energy offerings into the client's development project or business strategy. Considering that outsourced thermal and power solutions require no up-front capital investment. This approach frees up valuable building space, redirects personnel and financial resources that would normally go toward operation and maintenance, and allows owners to concentrate on building occupants and core business objectives rather than energy operations. Eng. Taher F. Al-Draweshi, regional manager for maintenance at NCB in central region, said “NCB has gained many benefits with this approach. By outsourcing to Source Energy, the supervision is done by highly trained and experienced personnel. If there is failure or breakdown with the chillers or other major components of the plant or HVAC equipment that the on-site staff cannot repair, Source Energy has other resources, including supervisors and management, to resolve the issues immediately. Source Energy looks for all possible ways to improve the plant operation with new technology and cost-saving measures. Source Energy has several backup people ready that can step into the position immediately. SE also has the flexibility to provide coverage for sick leave on a moment's notice. With in-house operations all of the liability – parts, labor and consumables – for any breakdown falls on the owner, manager and engineering staff. With outsourced services, NCB has a guaranteed budgeted cost, guaranteed performance, which can be incorporated into the service agreement, and high quality guaranteed expertise”. Kirk Belmont, head of operation & maintenance at Source Energy, added that “at the heart it is service 24/7, response and service to my clients. The personal relationships that we have built at NCB are very important to all my staff. The operations and maintenance program we have implemented at NCB is one based on a proactive approach using predictive, preventative and corrective maintenance thru a computerized maintenance management system. From thumbprint scanners to automate time entry, electronic operator rounds using a smart PDA, to a digital control system that allows operators greater flexibility and control. This program is implemented using safety standards to ensure workplace safety. Performance thru technology, safety, and service is what we have established. Additionally, we are able to remotely monitor and control plant conditions from our control room in Riyadh.” Steve Drawe, COO of SE, said “our strategy has focused on building a backbone of people, technology, and attitude which provides service to our clients unmatched in the region. Our commitment to our clients does not stop at the edge of the contract. As an example, during the recent Jeddah flood we mobilized additional resources from other places in the Kingdom to help our clients to be fully operational in the shortest time.”
