Continuing its commitment to promoting energy efficiency in the region, the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) collaborated with Empower, a prominent energy services company in UAE, to conduct the country’s first-ever Accredited Energy Professional (AEP) workshop. Over the course of three days, from 6 to 8 May 2024, energy professionals received intensive training aimed at equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in energy auditing. The three-day workshop concluded with an exam and candidates who demonstrated proficiency were awarded the AEP certification.

GORD’s AEP certification program is designed to empower energy professionals with the knowledge necessary to conduct energy audits for existing buildings during their operational phase. Structured to cover a wide learning spectrum, the foundational workshop starts with basic introduction followed by in-depth content on energy audits.

Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to engage with experts from GORD, who delivered comprehensive technical presentations on various aspects of energy auditing. These sessions covered fundamental topics such as the basics of energy, introduction to energy auditing in buildings, energy audit levels of effort and audit plan management, and pre-audit preparation.

Additionally, participants delved into more specialized areas including on-site measurements, data analysis, building fabric, HVAC systems, lighting systems, equipment, domestic hot water, building controls, energy audit reporting, and the MARS Principle for energy efficiency. With the third day of the event dedicated to case studies and relevant energy tools such as Arcadia and Energia Suites, the workshop provided a holistic understanding of energy auditing methodologies, ensuring that attendees gained practical insights and skills essential for enhancing energy efficiency across diverse building portfolios.

With the inaugural AEP workshop concluded on a positive note, GORD is expected to conduct similar training programs across the region, as part of the organization’s bid to contribute to a more sustainable future for the Gulf region and beyond.