WFES Dailies 2023 - Day2

Today 02

Spotlight on sustainability as World Future Energy Summit fuels collaboration

As 2023’s iteration of the World Future Energy Summit begins its second day, it perfectly encapsulates the approach required to facilitate the energy transition: boundary-pushing, forwardthinking, and partnership-building.

During yesterday’s opening ceremony, H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, explained, “This year carries a special significance, because it is the year that we host COP28

“The UAE approaches this role with a deep sense of responsibility...we share the ambition to make transformational and game-changing progress.”

Solar & Clean Energy

Water

Forums for future energy

This year’s Solar & Clean Energy Forum provides a platform to discuss the pressing developments, potential issues and innovative solutions driving the clean energy transition forwards.

H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary, Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, said in his opening keynote presentation at the Solar & Clean Energy Forum, “We gather here to emphasise our productive efforts and continue our commitment to pursuing the global energy transition.

“Tremendous efforts are being made globally I’m confident these sessions will provide valuable insights that will help pave the way for the course on the clean energy transition.”

Setting smart standards

The Smart Cities Forum opened at the World Future Energy Summit yesterday, hosting a number of lively presentations and discussions on the socio-economic need for, and benefits of, smart cities, digitalising smart cities, decarbonised cities and sustainable materials for construction.

During her opening presentation on benchmarking the region’s embodied carbon, Iman Abi Saab, Technical Director for the Middle East and Technical Excellence Leader at Mott MacDonald, discussed the methods of minimising embodied carbon, emission reduction targets, and the various stages during the asset lifecycle at which carbon could be embodied, explaining that the construction stage of the actual asset is the stage at which most embodied carbon is generated.

Solutions from the source

Tackling the complex landscape of water sourcing, scarcity, and security, 2023’s Water Expo & Forum gathers over 70 speakers to enable discussion and facilitate partnerships to guarantee an innovative and sustainable future for regional water projects.

Hosting the opening presentation of the Water Forum, H.E. Eng. Yousif Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary, Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, explained, “Water is critical to our wellbeing, a key growth driver, and a central pillar in the agenda for sustainability development goals.

“Let us unite to meet future demands, work together by accelerating innovative technologies, and build more integrated resource management systems to achieve a better future.”

H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber inaugurated 2023’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, in which the World Future Energy Summit plays a key role.

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Smart Cities

Organised by

Image credit: RX

International pavilions take to the stage to wave the flag of future energy

A number of international pavilions are uniting national partners and bringing them to the international stage at the World Future Energy Summit.

The UK Government is accompanied by 12 partners from across industry and academia. His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to the Middle East, Simon Penney, explained, “Twelve UK companies are exhibiting across a range of renewable energy disciplines, from large multinationals to up-andcoming SMEs, demonstrating the depth and breadth of the UK offer.”

The UK’s appearance at the World Future Energy Summit quickly follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the UAE last week, which will facilitate the sharing of technical knowledge, skills and expertise, opening new avenues for cooperation on energy and climate.

The UK pavilion not only features the delegation of 12 companies, but exhibitor spotlight presentations across days two and three, hosting representatives from Heriot-Watt University, Dubai and a number of other organisations.

Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is in attendance this year, with the transfer of energy expertise, promotion of foreign trade and facilitation of international development at the heart of its German Energy

Solutions Initiative –a mission that aligns well with that of the World Future Energy Summit.

Maysa Hannon, regional coordinator for MENA at the German Energy Solutions Initiative, said, “This is the 15th iteration of the World Future Energy Summit and our 15th year of exhibiting innovative German ideas within a German pavilion. We’ve

International pavilions showcase the most innovative solutions on offer in their respective markets. The new vertical will raise awareness around sustainable practices.

always believed in the event and its significance to the region and the world.

“This year we bring with us 19 German companies exhibiting innovative prospects from solar to energy efficiency and efficient buildings, including small- to medium-sized enterprises and info points as well as bigger German companies.”

BEEAH Group launches BEEAH Education

Yesterday saw BEEAH Group announce the consolidation of its educational and awareness programmes driven to raise awareness and engage people and organisations in shaping a sustainable future. The new vertical, BEEAH Education, was announced at the World Future Energy Summit, and will enhance the Group’s efforts to spread the word on sustainability.

Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, said on the announcement, “As its own vertical, BEEAH Education will play an important role for our Group in sharing our expertise and innovations, particularly within the UAE and the Middle East, and contribute to the national and regional knowledge economies.”

Hind Al Huwaidi, Managing Director of BEEAH Education, added, “By introducing concepts of sustainability, incentivising sustainable action, training professionals and preparing the next generation of ambassadors for sustainability, BEEAH Education is helping create a better tomorrow for all.”

BEEAH Education will be responsible for internal training and development with regards to sustainability across the Group’s UAE, KSA and Egypt offices.

WATER FORUM: Driving discussions to transform scarcity to sustainable sources

“The road to net zero represents the biggest market transformation with the biggest economic promise since the first Industrial Revolution.”

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advance Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar

Image credit: Adobe Stock

Image credit: BEEAH Group

"Balancing

three core

of the

DESALINATION: Tapping renewables

EGA launches Aluminium Recycling Coalition

Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam to develop green hydrogen supply chain

Masdar, Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam and Zenith Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a green hydrogen supply chain between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam to support Dutch and European markets.

The MoU was signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar; Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Managing Director for the Port of Amsterdam; Maarten van Dijk, Chief Development Officer of SkyNRG; Bart van der Meer, Business Development Manager, Evos; and Ellen Ruhotas, Managing Director New Energies for Zenith Energy. The agreement was signed in the presence of Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar; and Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands.

Al Jaber said, "This agreement builds upon the existing relationship between the UAE and the Netherlands and demonstrates our mutual commitment to exploring lowand zero-carbon energy solutions. The UAE aims to play a central role in the emerging green hydrogen economy.”

Emirates Global Aluminium, a leading beverage producer, can-maker and waste management company, announced the launch of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, which aims to drive a step-change in aluminium recycling in the UAE.

The coalition was launched at EGA in Al Taweelah in the presence of Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

Members of the coalition include EGA, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), Aujan CocaCola Beverages Company, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, BEEAH Tandeef, Pepsibottler Dubai Refreshment, CANPACK, Crown Bevcan EMEA, DULSCO Group and Veolia. Aluminium plays an essential role in

Recycling Coalition

the development of a more sustainable society. The metal’s properties are ideal to make everything from packaging to lightweight electric vehicles, and aluminium is infinitely recyclable.

As its first project, the coalition intends to support a study by the International Aluminium Institute on aluminium recycling rates and behaviours in the UAE, to fully understand the scale of the opportunity and potential solutions. The International Aluminium Institute

is the global trade association for the aluminium industry, and is conducting similar studies around the world.

Al Marri said, “The coalition is led by EGA, the biggest ‘premium aluminium’ producer in the world and the heart of the broader aluminium sector in the UAE which generates over US$5bn annually in the national economy. It will enhance the UAE’s position as a global leader in international efforts towards green development.”

SIRC and AviLease sign MoU on sustainable aviation fuel

AviLease, the rising aircraft lessor, and the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the production and distribution of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to AviLease’s fast-growing network.

The partnership will allow both parties to advance the production and uptake of SAF, a global environmental imperative and cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and meet a comprehensive set

of targets on sustainability and economic diversification. Industry experts see SAF as a key lever to decarbonise aviation in the short term, using existing global aircraft fleets and infrastructure.

AviLease will support the partnership by committing to an offtake agreement and will market SAF contracts to its global airline customer base. SIRC will act as financier and facilitator, assembling the necessary expertise in production technology and distribution

capabilities to leverage the unique proposition of Saudi Arabia.

Edward O'Byrne, Chief Executive Officer, AviLease, said, “We see the fundamental role that SAF will play in the global decarbonisation of aviation, especially in the short term. Through this unique partnership, we will be able to bundle the supply of SAF into our offerings, which we believe will trigger large-scale production of SAF in a country that has the natural competitive advantages to become a low-cost producer.”

the

dimensions

energy trilemma is the basis for prosperity and the competitiveness of individual countries."

Nancy Hantour, Principal Engineer, Nuclear & Net Zero Energy Middle East, Atkins

The partnership aims to drive sustainability in UAE.

Aluminium

Image credit : EGA

FOOD SECURITY:

Sustainable agriculture

Working together for Net Zero

What are the benefits of an industry balance of cost, security and sustainability and how can this be achieved?

Balancing the three core dimensions of the Energy Trilemma (determined by the World Energy Council) is the basis for prosperity and competitiveness of individual countries. Humanising energy is the greatest challenge in managing the energy transition. The government, energy business leaders, policymakers, and investors must work together to provide the public with an understanding of the challenges in obtaining a balance within the energy trilemma, while building trust.

Improving energy efficiency will most easily unlock aspects of improving the energy trilemma. Finding the right combination of policies, investments, technologies and ideas will move us one step closer to making the future energy system reliable, secure and affordable.

How is Atkins helping to promote the Net Zero ambitions of the region?

Atkins and the wider SNC-Lavalin Group continue to play a big role in helping the public and private sectors in the region achieve Net Zero ambitions, as we have the largest private nuclear capability globally, and we are at the forefront of nuclear new build programmes in the UK, Canada and the Middle East. We are involved in every waste-to-energy project in the Middle East and launched 'decarbonomics', a data driven, end-to-end solution that helps asset owners decarbonise. In addition, we are involved in the design of the UAE's first utilityscale green hydrogen projects and support a wide range of work from design, construction to operation of the Barakah Nuclear Power plant.

What is the continuing role of nuclear energy in the transition?

Nuclear power has the ability to limit the impacts of climate change. It is a lowcarbon solution that can be deployed on a large scale, supplying the world with clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. It takes care of all externalities associated with its operation – from uranium mining, through operation, to used fuel disposal. This cannot be said of any other energy source. In recent years, solar and wind power have been the main means of renewable energy in the power sector, however, they cannot meet energy demands alone If climate goals are to be met by 2050, then other forms of low or zero emission electricity generation must be prioritised, leading to the nuclear industry being of interest again among countries. Solar and wind cannot overcome the challenges of intermittency, whereas nuclear power can ensure a permanent balance between supply and demand. Despite producing massive amounts of carbon-free power, nuclear energy also produces more electricity on less land than any other clean-air source. Nuclear energy is admittedly a necessary technology for the transition towards a new energy model.

The current edition of the Exhibition sheds light on the leading role of the GCC countries in supporting the adoption of a circular economy, with a focus on Abu Dhabi’s role in this area. It will also explore solutions to address the waste dilemma in the MENA region, which will double to 255 million tonnes a year by 2050 amid ongoing urbanization across the Arabian Gulf according to an estimate by The World Bank.

“Believe in your ideas and do not stop at the first obstacle. Keep going and you will get there, specially if your idea is for humanity.”

Ricardo

Ferreira, Zayed Sustainability Prize 2023 winner - Health Category, Associação Expedicionários Da Saúde (EDS)

The EcoWaste Exhibition and Forum 2023 held under the theme ‘Explore the future of waste management in a circular economy,’ organized in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer) witnesses the participation of 40 exhibitors from more than 15 countries.

Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer) said, “We must strengthen our efforts to find innovative solutions to process waste and reduce the pollution resulting from it, in order to transform waste from an economic burden into a national resource. We, at Tadweer, are working to enhance our contribution to the field by carrying out projects and initiatives that aim to develop the Emirate’s waste management system. This comes in line with the UAE’s vision to adopt a circular economy, achieve a prosperous and sustainable future and reaffirm its global position as a leader in this sector.”

EcoWaste 2023 kicks off with participation of more than 15 countries

The EcoWaste Exhibition and Forum 2023 sheds light on the leading role of the GCC in adopting a circular economy.

Image credit: Alain Charles Publishing

Nancy Hantour, Principal Nuclear Engineer for Nuclear and Net Zero Energy, Middle East & Africa, Atkins, speaks about the energy trilemma and the role of nuclear power in the energy transition.

Humanising energy is the greatest challenge in managing the energy transition.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

“Countries such as Oman and Egypt are positioning themselves for a green hydrogen exporting future.”

Mohammed Atif, Area Manager UAE, DNV

FLOOR PLAN: Find your way around

GORICA Group exhibits its waste management solutions at the World Future Energy Summit

“GORICA is an international company based in Dubai, where we have been since 1999,” explained Domen Bockor, General Manager Sales & Marketing. “Since then we have grown tremendously; we currently have eight manufacturing facilities in the Middle East, five in the UAE, as well as one each in Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. One of our important divisions is the waste management division which focuses on both liquid waste and solid waste solutions. We are designers and manufacturers and a market leader in the Middle East and Africa, both in waste management solutions and other superstructures, ie what is on the truck and behind the truck.

“In Abu Dhabi we have a long term partnership with Tadweer and have been awarded by Tadweer as contractors or service partners for almost 90% of all equipment. We are working with them on the supply of goods and also the development of new solutions including, but not limited to, electric trucks. Here at the show we’re exhibiting a garbage compactor sideloader which is produced in co-operation with our Italian partner, and we also have a partnership with Austria’s Palfinger for all the cargo solutions.”

The World Future Energy Summit is a good show for the company, Bocker says. “We are exhibiting a number of solutions here, this is one of the main trade shows at which we exhibit, as it is important not only for the UAE but is a platform for the entire Middle East.”

Bockor sees very promising prospects in the Middle East.

“The economies are changing from their traditional construction-based economies fuelled by government spending and government support to more mature markets where services will prevail, among them, with the growth of population and development of the region, the service of waste management

collection. We foresee further growth in this sector which has been strong for the past five to seven years in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other countries of the region.”

Green hydrogen start-ups see potential in the Middle East

Several companies are exhibiting at the newly-launched Green Hydrogen Innovation Hub this year, among them Meld Energy.

Chris Smith, Founder and Chief Executive of Meld Energy, which works with government, renewable energy generators and the investment community to produce green hydrogen for the UK and the world, said “We meld together all of the systems to build and scale green hydrogen production. It can then be used for industrial purposes, transportation, and other applications where there is demand for hydrogen. So we’re about producing the green hydrogen the market demands.”

Smith sees great potential for hydrogen development in the Middle East. “Green hydrogen is essentially produced by electrolysing water, so the essential components are power and water. The cost of power is a significant component of production, so where we can reduce the cost of power that enables us to reduce the cost of hydrogen. In the Middle East, North Africa and the USA markets there is massive potential for hydrogen because of the relatively low-cost power as well as the availability of land and sun. So we think the Middle East can play a significant role on the world stage.”

Domen Bocker, General Manager Sales & Marketing, GORICA.

Chris Smith, Founder and Chief Executive of Meld Energy.

Image credit: Alain Charles Publishing

Image credit: Alain Charles Publishing

Solar & Clean Energy Forums: What’s up for discussion

Golden opportunities within the energy transition

In the ongoing energy transition, there is a plethora of new technology and solutions seemingly introduced every day, dedicated to feeding into and driving the revolution. While some are certainly more substantial than others, two which are gaining increasing momentum within this space are LDES and green hydrogen, as demonstrated by the numerous panel sessions dedicated to them at the World Future Energy Summit. As part of these, Atif will be participating in a select number, and provides commentary around the subjects.

In regards to LDES, Atif mentions that this would always have been a hot topic at the conference, however, with notable technical and cost leaps being taken (with the exception of hydro storage), it has catapulted this discussion further into the spotlight. He explained that new advances have been made with batteries to supply greater hours of support and they have become easier to monetise for their role in black starts, reactive power/voltage support and the EV industry.

“As power systems push to accelerate decarbonisation, integrate more renewables, and strive for net zero, LDES is seen as a significant part of the solution to achieving this. For MENA and the rest of the world, anywhere where power systems are looking to achieve increasing contributions from renewable energy surpassing 30% and beyond – LDES would be a strong facilitator,” Atif explains

He adds that while Europe and North America could take the lead in regards to LDES implementation, anywhere where there is a drive towards renewable penetration and net zero, will make LDES appealing. With COP27 held on

Remarking on what has driven the appetite for this solution so far, Atif surmises, “Physics to an extent is driving the need (LDES provides a technical solution to take higher amounts of energy for longer), however governments and policy makers are increasingly aware that such a solution can facilitate their own commitments, and the private sector can be leveraged for its innovation and industrial know-how to deliver the solution.”

On the topic, he concludes that, in order to drive LDES engagement on to new heights, “Clear pricing for the ‘flexibility service’ in power systems – in other words, power markets or systems need to demonstrate value for storage that provides services for days, weeks or months – will drive the profit signals to invest and commercialise the solutions.”

A hydrogen future

There is perhaps no topic more widely discussed in the present day than hydrogen, which has the potential to comprehensively change the global energy network. According to IRENA, the vast green hydrogen potential equates to more than 20 times global primary energy demand in 2050 and, according to the IEA, the current energy crisis has contributed to the urgent need for energy diversification – driving hydrogen demand to new heights.

However, this is a jump which will take time, and Atif notes that he does not expect to see many large scale projects coming online until the 2030s, despite its prominence. That being said, once again, the hydrogen future presents a golden opportunity for the Middle East and Africa where renewable potential is abundant.

Atif says, “Countries such as Oman and Egypt are positioning themselves for a green hydrogen exporting future. The size will really depend on commitments from key markets in Europe and Asia. However, from announced plans, there are hundreds of billions of dollars of potential investment opportunities over the longer term.”

In order to ensure that countries in this region are not left behind in this revolution, Atif advises, “Consumer countries need to commit to various standards and targets for hydrogen in their national energy mix. Producer countries need to demonstrate economic viability, supply chain readiness and then FIDs. Oman is moving the quickest, with the release of a tender for green hydrogen developments.”

Egyptian soil in 2022 and COP28 to be hosted in Dubai, this certainly applies to both the African continent and the Middle East region.

“Hydrogen from low-emissions sources can play an important role in clean energy transitions, with potential to replace fossil fuels in industries where few clean alternatives exist.”

Fatih

As power systems push to accelerate decarbonisation, integrate more renewables, and strive for net zero, LDES is seen as a significant part of the solution to achieving this.”

Mohammed Atif Area Manager UAE, DNV

Vast green hydrogen potential exists around the world.

Mohammed Atif, Area Manager UAE, DNV, discusses how long duration energy storage (LDES) and the onset of the green hydrogen economy represent golden opportunities for the MENA region.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

ECOWASTE FORUM: Programme of events

Enabling the Middle East’s sustainable transformation

Governments have promised to boost efforts to achieve environmental sustainability, in response to the increasing climate change impacts such as droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires.

However, commitment to climate promises does not just require the availability of plans to switch to clean energy and reduce emissions, it also requires the existence of methods to do so. Achieving efficient food systems and conserving water are pivotal to this sustainable transformation.

Many countries are making a variety of efforts in the field of environmental preservation, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the way in taking concrete steps towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Today, with food scarcity set to deepen with pandemic-related disruptions, the need to align climate actions with the agricultural sector is greater than ever.

Establishing the priorities

Transitioning to low-carbon agricultural practices and optimising the value chains in the region will be significant for establishing climate-resilient food systems. Plausible solutions must touch upon reducing GHG emissions, saving water, retaining the supplied water, and improving the ecology. To this end, many nations are exploring climate-smart water management, policy reforms, and effective demand/supply allocation mechanisms. Such

actions are being prioritised by nations such as Jordan, where the pandemic has aggravated water scarcity and led to high demand and costs.

Restorative agriculture

Restorative agriculture, defined as the reclamation of degraded land by developing green cover, has the potential to create land suitable for food production. This strategy posits permaculture and food forests as potential solutions for land remediation in deserts. Breathable sand, which finds application in water-efficient desert farming,

could enable synergistic systems such as food forests. In the long run, such models could help meet the food requirements of the local population, which is set to increase. In the meantime, the increased green cover could add to carbon sequestration and help mitigate climate change.

Desert farming

Innovative solutions such as breathable sand are fit-for-purpose in desert farming, which requires addressing a host of geographical and climatic deterrents such as seepage, high evaporation, salinity, etc. Thanks to its air permeability and water retention properties, breathable sand enables practitioners to conserve up to 80% of water compared to conventional farming, and simultaneously unlock high agricultural productivity due to optimal nutrient supply to the roots.

The efficiency, resilience, and productivity of the agriculture sector and food systems have substantial social, economic, and political correlations. And with increasing consensus for sustainability and climate actions, stakes have been raised. The MENA region, with its longstanding food and water woes, must ramp up its efforts by adopting plausible tech-driven solutions. The rate of adoption could define the course of its future.

“Scientific research and technological innovation offer significant potential to address the growing water stress in the UAE and beyond.”

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of National Center of Meteorology (NCM)

The Middle East is facing pressing food security issues.

The MENA region, with its long-standing food and water woes, must ramp up its efforts by adopting plausible tech-driven solutions. The rate of adoption could define the course of its future.

Chandra Dake

Founder, Dake Rechsand

Chandra Dake, founder, Dake Rechsand, outlines strategies for water conservation and efficient food systems in the Middle East.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

A renewable lifeline for desalination

project the new technology could push the cost of desalinated water as low as US$0.02 per litre. Although desalination costs vary considerably based on water source, technology and electricity prices, the average range globally is between US$0.50 and US$1.50 per cubic metre.

DEWA aims to produce 100% of its desalinated water supply from a mixture of renewables and waste heat by 2030.

especially within the GCC. Approximately half of Saudi Arabia’s annual water demand is met through desalination.

In June 2022 ENOWA, the energy, water and hydrogen subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megaproject, signed a memorandum of understanding with French energy company Veolia and Japanese trading company Itochu to develop a reverse osmosis (RO) water desalination facility powered by 100% renewable energy. Slated for completion in 2025, the facility is expected to produce 500,000 cubic metres of potable water per day, meeting 30% of NEOM’s anticipated water demand.

In a similar push for zero-carbon desalination, in September 2022 the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) signed a partnership with Dutch start-up Desolenator to develop a solar-powered desalination pilot project.

The companies have already installed a pilot plant at the Jebel Ali power plant and desalination complex, which produces 1,000 litres per day, and

Global capacity expansion

Over half of the global population suffers from some form of water scarcity every year, and, according to the UN Environment Programme, water supply could fall 40% short of demand by 2030 if no changes are made to water management systems.

As the costs associated with desalination decrease, the process is likely to play a pivotal role in meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”.

Desalination is already a widespread practice, with approximately 16,000 plants operating in 177 countries. As of 2016, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region accounted for 46.7% of the world’s desalination capacity. Limited freshwater reserves and access to plentiful energy reserves have fuelled desalination investment in MENA,

Egypt has also made major strides to expand renewables-powered desalination capacity. In 2021, the country tendered 17 25-year concessions from its sovereign wealth fund to construct solar-powered desalination plants. The plants themselves will be partially powered by renewables which, in combination with green financing, could lower production costs by an

SMART CITIES: What’s on the agenda

“Ultimately, digital technologies are integral to building new industries and supply chains that will deliver sustainable growth and create new jobs.”

Amish

Sabharwal, executive vice-president of engineering and simulation and member of the executive leadership team at AVEVA

Desalination is already a widespread practice, with approximately 16,000 plants operating in 177 countries.

As of 2016, the Middle East and North Africa region accounted for 46.7% of the world’s desalination capacity.

Long seen as a high-cost, energy-intensive process, desalination mega-projects are seeking to tap renewable resources to limit the cost and environmental concerns of this crucial technology. Oxford Business Group reports.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

estimated 20-25%. The government is targeting an installed desalination capacity of 6.4mn cubic metres per day by 2050, up from 800,000 in 2021.

This expansion is set to diversify the water resources of the Arab world’s most populous country beyond the Nile River − which currently meets an estimated 97% of Egypt’s water needs − as development on the upstream Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam moves ahead.

Desalination should also support the expansion of industrial and residential development further away from the Nile, in line with new urban development plans.

Local solutions

Major strides have been made since the 1970s to lower the cost and energy usage of desalination, mainly through the introduction of membranebased RO technology. The cost of desalinated water halved between 1980 and 2005, and promises to decrease further with the scaling of new technologies and renewable resources.

While most desalination plants in the MENA region are powered by fossil fuels, the increasing use of renewable energy – coupled with plans for carbon capture and hydrogen production –

should help many countries in the region meet their emissions targets.

Solar, in particular, presents a viable and increasingly affordable energy source for plants.

KarmSolar, an Egyptian solar power and utilities company, is constructing a pilot solar-powered desalination plant at Marsa Shagra on the Red Sea coast with a capacity of 200 cubic metres per day. According to the company, any unstored excess water supply produced during peak sunlight hours could be used for local construction activities or in hydroponic gardens.

New technologies have the potential to diversify the power sources used in desalination. The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory is sponsoring the development of a hydraulic and electric RO wave energy converter, a modular device capable of using the kinetic power of waves to generate potable water from seawater.

Meanwhile, Manhat, an Abu Dhabi-based start-up, has developed floating platforms that use sunlight to distill fresh water. In a zero-electricity process similar to the natural water cycle, sunlight evaporates seawater within a greenhouse-like

Taking desalination to the next level

Rami Ghandour, Metito Managing Director, has highlighted the need for transformational change to achieve water security through enhanced resilience, sustainability, high-value engineering, and increased investment in water infrastructure.

“Creating new opportunities through developing additional water sources is transformative. The collaboration of all stakeholders is fundamental to unlock efficiencies, optimise resources, create new jobs, and overall deliver sustainable economic growth to the communities we serve,” commented Ghandour.

He remarked that water projects are lifeline projects that extend beyond the infrastructure and way into developing communities, and gave the example of Al Mahsamma agricultural drainage recycling and reuse plant, which was developed by Metito as part of a consortium and irrigates more than 70,000 acres of land in Sinai. This was followed by the now largest agricultural wastewater recycling and reuse plant, also in Egypt, in the New Delta area (7.5mn cubic metres per day). These projects are helping create lively sustainable communities around new green lands, extending

EXHIBITOR LIST: Who’s at the show

structure, separating fresh water from salt crystals.

While these two technologies have not been deployed at an industrial scale, they could be used to complement conventional and sustainably powered desalination facilities in future.

Commodifying wastewater

Another major environmental concern associated with desalination is the production of brine, or wastewater.

Conventional desalination produces approximately 1.5 litres of wastewater concentrate per litre of potable water produced, at twice the salinity of seawater and containing chemicals such as chlorine or copper used in the treatment of equipment.

However, plans to commodify the brine produced in the desalination process could reduce its environmental impact. Treated brine produces highpurity industrial salt, bromine, boron, potassium, gypsum, magnesium and rare metals, many of which can be utilised downstream.

Within the scope of NEOM’s planned desalination plant, brine by-products such as sodium hydroxide could potentially serve as feedstock for the project’s planned green hydrogen production.

local jobs and fuelling economic activity. More importantly, they are stories of turning waste to value by securing a sustainable source of water for irrigation instead of using fresh water sources.

Ghandour also highlighted the importance of developing desalination plants in coastal areas, and taking desalination to the next level of incorporating alternative energy, an important factor in making such energy-intensive projects more sustainable.

“Metito has been pushing the boundaries as developers of some of the world’s largest desalination plants by partially integrated solar power to optimise energy use and maintain a healthier environmental footprint. In Egypt, we are now hoping to build a strong portfolio of megadesal projects that are 100% solar powered,” Ghandour added.

“There are great opportunities to invest in projects like the Glen Valley wastewater recycling and reuse plant in Botswana – the world’s first direct sewage to potable reuse in one plant. This is the future,” concluded Ghandour.

“We are proud to play a vital role in supporting Uzbekistan’s long-term renewable strategy, stemming from the strong international ties between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.”

Mohammad Abunayyan, ACWA Power Chairman

Rami Ghandour, Metito Managing Director.

Image credit: Metito