The 15th ISHRAE Confluence & REFCON, organized by the Ahmedabad Chapter of The Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE), took place in Ahmedabad, on 13th December, 2023, embracing the pivotal theme, “Decoding Decarbonization.” Supported by the United Nations Environment Programme, the event serves as a melting pot of top experts, offering a unique platform for knowledge exchange, technological insights, and networking opportunities.
The conference opened with a resounding keynote address by Pankaj Dharkar, Chairman of the 15th Confluence & REFCON. Dharkar underscored the criticality of decarbonization initiatives, framing them as imperative tools in combatting climate change, “A key focus of this conference is on decarbonization in the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry and creating greater awareness about energy efficiency. There is also a need to develop an extensive cold chain if we want to double or triple farmers’ income.”
Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Mukesh Patel, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Ajay Prakash, Director at Gujarat Energy Development Agency, Bipin Talati, Additional Secretary of Gujarat’s Climate Change department, and Atul Bagai, Country Head of the United Nations Environment Programme, were esteemed Guests of Honor. The 15th Confluence & REFCON garnered support from leading national and international societies. ASHRAE WIC, IPA, IGBC, RATA, IPA, IIID, and IIA lent their endorsement, elevating the event’s stature and reinforcing its global significance.
Atul Bagai accentuated the crucial role of the cooling industry in addressing climate change challenges, as he states, “Meeting the ambitious 1.5-degree Celsius global climate target and India’s commitment to achieve net zero by 2070 depend significantly on prioritizing the cooling sector. ISHRAE, with its expertise, has a crucial responsibility to actively contribute towards realizing these environmental goals,”
The inaugural day witnessed insightful sessions and panel discussions delving into the heart of decarbonization. Topics ranged from decoding decarbonization to integrating passive cooling and district cooling in urban developments. Renowned international speakers, including Gaurang Patel, Angshuman Siddhanta, Pawanexh Kohli, Rajan Rawal, Anubhav Saxena, Ankoor Sanghvi, and others, shared profound insights, enriching the discourse on sustainable practices. The second day unfolded with an array of sessions and discussions, exploring best practices for decarbonization in various sectors. Topics spanned decarbonization in dairy, refrigeration, and the role of heat pumps in the decarbonization journey. Green refrigerants, accelerating decarbonization in built environments with AI and ML, and the role of technology in achieving decarbonization in HVAC &R took center stage.
As a 42-year-old society with 52 chapters and sub-chapters, boasting over 28,000 members globally, ISHRAE continues to be a torchbearer in advancing knowledge and collaboration in the field of heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning. The Confluence & REFCON events exemplify the society’s commitment to fostering sustainable practices, embracing innovation, and catalyzing change in the pursuit of a greener and more efficient future.
