Matelec’s inauguration will feature a focus on energy efficiency and energy savings

Halls 4, 6 and 8 of the IFEMA MADRID Recinto Ferial opened today to host the first day of MATELEC, the International Trade Fair for the Electrical and Electronics Industry, which will be held until Friday 8 November. At the event, professionals will have the opportunity to discover the solutions and services of more than 500 participating companies. Furthermore, Matelec will be held concurrently with Semana Internacional de la Construcción, which will include the CONSTRUTEC, VETECO, SMART DOORS and PISCIMAD trade fairs. This will provide a comprehensive professional offering and set future trends in the sector.

The opening day of the event featured a forum led by ANESE, which addressed the potential of National Energy Efficiency Certificates (CAEs) to boost energy efficiency in multiple sectors. Carlos Ballesteros, director of ANESE, explained that the CAE system enables the generation and certification of quantifiable energy savings. "CAEs represent a significant advance in the traceability and certainty of the energy market, and are essential to achieve national savings targets," said Ballesteros. He went on to highlight key differences with the French model, including the verifiers, which ensure a reliable and measurable process.

Furthermore, prominent organisations presented their experiences and case studies on using CAEs. Patricia Figar, Smart product manager at Iberdrola, outlined how the company, which accounts for 8% of national energy savings, implements lighting changes, the use of efficient equipment and agreements with businesses to reduce the carbon footprint and facilitate certification of savings.

Manuel Jurado, head of the CAE office at Repsol, revealed that, as the largest obligated subject of CAE in Spain with a commitment of 22.7% of savings, the company concentrates its efforts on its service stations, which account for 65% of its savings, extending its activity to sectors such as residential and agricultural.

Giulia Realmonte of Edison Next emphasised the “agility that CAEs offer in comparison to traditional energy efficiency mechanisms”, citing examples from the hotel and industrial process sectors. Ismael Jarque, representing Naturgy, shared insights into the company's track record of success in standard and targeted efficiency projects.

Furthermore, Pablo Álvarez, Ferrovial's commercial director for energy efficiency, presented the case of the inaugural CAE in Andalusia, implemented in the Seville Exhibition and Conference Centre (FIBES) via a public energy services contract. The project resulted in a 48% reduction in electricity consumption and a nearly 50% reduction in natural gas consumption over a 15-year period. Sandra Zamora, Acciona Energia's Energy Services Manager, emphasised the company's pioneering role in the management of CAE, noting its experience as a delegated subject in the French model that informed the Spanish system.

Victor Pérez, Head of Energy Efficiency at Engie, highlighted the necessity of thorough documentation and monitoring prior to operating through the CAE system, which guarantees accuracy and transparency in the results obtained. To conclude the forum, Juan Manuel García, Industry and Energy Manager at AENOR, shared his insights as an energy savings verifier. He emphasised the importance of this supervision to achieve a traceable and replicable process in the new market, which will enable the country to meet its new energy objectives.

At the heart of halls 4 and 6, KNX has also facilitated a series of talks, round tables, competitions and demonstrations showcasing the services offered by this association, which has been present in the Spanish market for over 25 years. KNX is a leading provider of solutions for home and building automation, with a track record of success in a wide range of projects, from small domestic installations to large-scale tertiary installations.

The 18th Young Installers Competition was officially inaugurated in the Auditorium of the Installer's World space, located in Hall 8. The event, held in collaboration with FENIE, saw the participation of over 40 young professionals from across Spain, who will compete for the title of Best Installer Nobel throughout the duration of the fair. The closing and awards ceremonies will take place on Friday 8 November at 13:30 in the same venue.

The Matelec event, taking place from 5 to 9 November at IFEMA MADRID, will once again provide a platform for the electrical and electronics industry sector, with sessions scheduled from 9:30 to 18:30. Find out more about MATELEC on the website.