BGreen January 2015 by BGreen

Inside

Off-site construction WFes 2015 preview Materials testing lab Logistic bottlenecks

THE BUSINESS OF SUSTAINABILITY Issue 53 | january 2015

Unconventional Wealth Non-traditional fuels usher in a new era of energy abundance

EDITOR’S PAGE

GROUP GROUP CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA

Drilling deeper

GROUP CEO NADEEM HOOD GROUP COO GINA O’HARA

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5471 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713 EDITORIAL EDITOR ASHISH SARAF ashish.saraf@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5495 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ANOOP K MENON anoop.menon@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5714 ADVERTISING COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR JUDE SLANN jude.slann@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 433 2857 SENIOR SALES MANAGER JUNAID RAFIqUE junaid.rafique@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5716 MARKETING MARKETING MANAGER LISA JUSTICE lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5498 DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON SENIOR DESIGNER ROY CRUZ CIRCULATION AND PRODUCTION DATABASE AND CIRCULATION MANAGER RAJEESH M rajeesh.nair@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 440 9147 PRODUCTION MANAGER VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpimediagroup.com

World energy consumption has doubled since the energy crises of the 1970s, and more than 80% of this is provided by fossil fuels. In the next 24 years, consumption is forecast to grow by a further 44%. Where will these fossil fuels come from? It is evident that unconventional oil and gas will play an important role in the global fuel mix, with technological advancement across the entire value chain shaping the profitability of the industry in the long term. Lately, the debate on shale gas has been gaining momentum. Advocates cite its sheer abundance as the major advantage. However, its opponents are just as unequivocal when they say that it is an absolute disaster for the environment and that it could jeopardise water supplies. Whatever the case may be, shale gas offers too many advantages for us to ignore it. Much of this optimism is based on the application of technologies like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling to previously inaccessible shale reservoirs, and the development of unconventional sources such as tar sands and oil shale. In mid-March 2013, Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi gave an estimate of over 600tn cubic feet of unconventional gas reserves, more than double proven conventional reserves. That would put Saudi Arabia fifth in a 32-country shale gas reserves ranking compiled for the US Energy Information Administration. In North Africa, unconventional gas plays a slightly more significant role, with Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco starting to produce shale gas in the early 2020s.

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Contents January 2015

Contents 20 event pReview wfes 2015

07 Regional news UAE to adopt new strategy for energy sector Morocco raises $2bn for solar plants Bahrain to set up green energy watchdog

With solar power becoming cost competitive with traditional sources, renewable energy will figure prominently on the WFES 2015 agenda

12 offbeat news AUB researchers turn pine needles – a forest fire hazard – into a water purification opportunity 13 woRld news Top firms’ greenhouse gas emissions rise Australia records biggest emissions drop in a decade

16 coveR stoRy unconventional wealth non-traditional fuels usher in a new era of energy abundance

32 special RepoRt off-site constRuction

36 column dubai municipality Dubai Central Laboratory tests green materials and products to ensure businesses operate to the highest quality standards

UAE-based Faizal E Kottikollon is building India’s first industrial destination that is wholly dedicated to off-site construction

42 gReen peRsonality salma hayek Salma Hayek is at the heart of the growing green activism among some of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars

28 inteRview soaRing aspiRations

45 news analysis oil and gas

3Dimension engineering services Ceo Malak Ali Hassan is an intrinsic part of the UAe’s wheel of sustainable development

World oil transit chokepoints are critical to global energy security

EXPERT PANEL

Expert Panel His Highness Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi Environmental Advisor Ajman Government Chief Executive Officer Al Ihsan Charity Centre Chairman International Steering Committee for the Global Initiative Towards a Sustainable Iraq (GITSI), based in the UAE

The BGreen Expert Panel provides a platform for those who are active in encouraging sustainable practices across a wide sector of industries. real experts who can share their views, analyses, and research with our informed readers.

Saeed Alabbar LEED AP, Estidama PQP Chairman Emirates Green Building Council Director Alabaar Energy and Sustainability Group

Thomas Bohlen NCARB,LEED AP, BD+C, ESTIDAMA PQP Chief Technical Officer Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development

Abdulrahman Jawahery President Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company Chairman GPCA Responsible Care Initiative

Dr Michael Kr채mer Senior Associate Taylor Wessing (Middle East) LLP Legal Counsel Middle East Solar Industry Association

Dr. Hasim Altan Associate Professor (Reader) in Sustainable Design of the Built Environment The British University in Dubai

Ivano Iannelli Chief Executive Officer Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence

Vahid Fotuhi President MESIA

Roderick Wiles Director - Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania American Hardwood Export Council

Tanzeed Alam Policy Director EWS-WWF

Alan Millin LEED AP, Chartered Engineer consultant/trainer Middle East Facility Management Association

Stephen Smith Sustainability Manager Brookfield Multiplex

Paolo Cervini Vice president & General manager Philips Lighting Middle East & Turkey

Our panellists meet every few months to discuss news, strategies and solutions on focussed topics related to sustainability. Our panellists write for the magazine - opinions and analyses - as well as on our website in a portfolio format documenting their contributions. If you would like to nominate an expert to join our panel, please email: ashish.saraf@cpimediagroup.com Supported by:

Official Sustainable Contractor:

www.hempeldecorative.me

UPDATE Regional news

UAE to adopt new strategy for energy sector Country cannot rely on natural gas as a sole source of power, says Al Mazrouei The United Arab Emirates will adopt a new strategy for diversifying sources of energy and integrating nuclear power with hydrocarbons and renewable energy sources for power generation, Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said. The minister said that the energy sector witnessed a remarkable leap 15 years ago when leaders saw that major economic development required new sources of energy other than natural gas. He added that the country started planning to import large quantities of natural gas to meet the growing demand of the local economy, citing the Dolphin project, the first intra-GCC gas network, which connects Qatar, the UAE and Oman. “The [UAE] leadership also saw that the country cannot rely on natural gas as a sole source of power generation, and a new strategy for integrating nuclear

energy into the power generation model is needed,” Al Mazrouei said. Abu Dhabi started implementation of a peaceful programme for development of four 1,400MW nuclear plants to provide 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs by 2020. Al Mazrouei also highlighted

Emirates airline improves fuel efficiency Emirates Group’s airline fleet is 14.5% more fuelefficient than the International Air Transport Association (IATA) average, the company claimed recently in its annual environmental report. Fuel efficiency across passenger planes and freighters has improved by 0.5%, dropping to 0.3089 litres per tonne-kilometre. Emirates’ fleet has an average age of 6.2 years versus the global IATA wide body fleet average of 11.7 years. CO2 emissions dropped to 0.764kg per tonne-kilometre, improving efficiency by 0.4%. Emirates said this reduction in fleet emissions had been improved by the delivery of 24 new passenger aircraft and freighters.

renewable energy projects, currently executed by Masdar, as important sources of power generation. The minister said the fall in oil prices will not have a “catastrophic effect” on the UAE, adding that oil constitutes only 30% of the UAE’s gross domestic product.

German firm to fund green construction in Egypt German development company GIZ has allocated US $50m of EU and German government funds for environmentally friendly construction and sustainable community projects in Egypt, the company’s programme coordinator, Gunther Wehenpohl, said. GIZ will work with the Egyptian government on 17 projects, which started in July 2014.

Arcadis to develop wastewater master plan for Makkah Natural and built asset design and consultancy firm Arcadis has been awarded a contract in Saudi Arabia to develop a water, wastewater, treated sewage effluent and asset management master plan for the region of Makkah. Under the 18-month contract, Arcadis will support National Water Company by expanding and improving the city’s water supply and service. “The city of Makkah is a focal point of Muslim pilgrims, often swelling the population above its base of 2m inhabitants to over 6m during religious festivals, placing significant demands on basic services,” said Philip Bourne, Water Sector director – Middle East at Arcadis.

01 UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei (R)

UPDATE Regional news

Morocco raises $2bn for solar plants Germany to lend $796m for two solar-thermal power projects Morocco has raised more than US $2bn for the next phase of a huge solar energy project. The funds are being provided by international organisations including the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, as part of a multibillion-euro bid to help Morocco produce renewable energy. Germany will lend more than $796m for two solar-thermal power projects in Morocco that are among the world’s largest. KfW, the German state-owned bank, will become the biggest lender financing the 300MW Noor II and III plants near Ouarzazate in southeast Morocco, it said in a statement. The two solar thermal-power plants will be the second and third phases of the project. The first phase of the Noor 1 project is already under construction at a cost of $730m in the southern desert city of Ouarzazate, and is due to begin operating in October 2015. It will be the North African country’s first solar energy plant, with capacity to generate 160MW. Construction of the second phase is set to begin

shortly, said Mustapha Bakkoury, head of Morocco’s MASEN solar energy agency. He said a call for tenders had attracted seven firms, including companies from France, Spain and Saudi Arabia. Morocco, which has scant oil and gas reserves, is also planning a string of wind farms along its Atlantic coast in a bid to raise renewable energy production to 42% of its total power supply.

Licences granted to build solar power plants in Jordan

UAE launches Agricultural Innovation Centre UAE’s Minister of Environment and Water, Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, has inaugurated the Agricultural Innovation Centre in Al Dhaid, Sharjah, which aims to promote the latest agricultural advancements and maintain the agricultural sector’s sustainability in the UAE through technological innovation and research. The centre will coordinate with top-notch international centres specialising in agricultural technologies through the execution of joint scientific research and partnership programmes and schemes to develop the country’s agricultural system.

Jordan’s Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) has granted a 20-year licence to Jordan Solar One Company to build a 23MW solar power plant in the Kingdom’s Mafraq Governorate, EMRC Chief Commissioner Farouq Hiari said. The commission also gave a 20-year licence to Scatec Solar ASA to build a 10.47MW solar power plant in the southern Governorate of Maan which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2015, according to a recent announcement by the company. “The two licences are important, as they will help support the grid and rely on local resources,” Hiari noted.

02 UAE’s Minister of Environment and Water Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad (L)

NEws briEfs EGbC launches Awards 2015 Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) has launched the EGBC 2015 Awards to honour excellence in sustainability initiatives by organisations and individuals from across the Middle East and North Africa region. This year’s awards will include four new subcategories within the Green Building of the Year Award, to highlight efforts from different types of buildings and sectors. Abb expands operations in Egypt with new investments Power and automation technology company ABB has started two manufacturing facilities to produce compact substations and medium voltage switchgear in 10th of Ramadan City, Egypt. A building block has also been completely refurbished and is now powered by a solar PV rooftop installation, which will provide the necessary lighting power.

UPDATE Regional news

First UAE nuclear plant to start in 2017 The first of four nuclear reactors being built by the United Arab Emirates will come online in 2017 and the rest will be fully operational by 2020, said Mohammed Al Hammadi, CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp (ENEC). “When they become fully operational in 2020, they will generate 25% of UAE power needs,” he added. He said that 61% of the first nuclear reactor has been completed, and it is slated to start production in 2017. Work is underway on the second and third reactors while the site is being prepared for the fourth. The second reactor will come online in 2018, the third the following year and the last in 2020. Al Hammadi said another 5% of UAE electricity needs will be provided by renewable energy sources by 2020.

sofitel The Palm Dubai receives blue flag certification Luxury resort Sofitel The Palm Dubai has received the Blue Flag certification for its environmental commitment. The international Blue Flag certification involves an assessment conducted by the Blue Flag UAE Committee and the Blue Flag International Jury, based on strict criteria including environmental education and information, water quality and environment management of safety and other services.

Saudi water and power demand up 5% yearly Experts have warned of the high annual consumption rates of water and power in Saudi Arabia. Ahead of the Saudi Water & Power Forum (SWPF), to be held January 12-14, 2015, industry experts noted that individual common consumption of power is twice the global rate, recording growth of more than 5% per annum, while water consumption is more than double that of other countries. Water expert Turki Al-Otaibi said: “Saudi Arabia’s consumption of water per year is unfortunately around 20bn cubic metres, forming nearly half the water in Gary River. The daily consumption in Saudi Arabia is 2.8m tanks, out of which more than 70% is from non-renewable groundwater. This is despite the authorities’ caveat on rationalisation of consumption.”

Bahrain to set up green energy watchdog New body to pave way for investment in solar power and wind farms Bahrain is preparing to open the door to alternative power providers with the setting up of a new watchdog to oversee the green energy sector, a senior government official said. A proposal to establish a National Renewable Energy Regulatory Authority is due to be presented to Bahrain’s Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission, Energy Minister Abdulhussain Mirza told local media. He said the new body, which would be independent from the ministry, would pave the way for investment in solar power and wind farms. “Bahrain will soon open its doors for investments in the renewable energy field, whether solar or wind, and for that

we need a regulator to help with licencing and monitoring as those interested from across the globe are set to enter,” Mirza said. “It is a completely new concept and altogether something never witnessed

before in Bahrain, despite work being carried out in a number of renewable energy projects. The new body will be independent, despite being chaired by the concerned minister, and will ensure a competitive market as private providers work to produce energy,” he added. The country has already launched a pilot renewable energy project with a solar power plant producing 5MW of electricity for Bapco, Awali and the nearby Bahrain University coming online earlier this year. Work on a similar pilot project to produce five megawatts of electricity using both solar and wind power is due to commence around the middle of next year.

03 Bahrain Energy Minister Abdulhussain Mirza (C)

UPDATE Regional news

Oman urged to use solar energy for desalination Potential for using solar energy in the northern areas of the Sultanate is high Having successfully piloted small-scale solar energy schemes for electricity generation in rural areas of the country, Oman must now seriously explore the potential for harnessing the sun’s power for water desalination as well, according to a report compiled by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with Oman’s Public Authority for Electricity and Water. The report noted in particular the potential for solar energy-based water desalination in the northern areas of the sultanate. “There is potential in implementing pilot desalination plants that use solar energy in rural areas (North Oman, Musandam coastal areas) where the demand for water is very low and the water supplied through ship transport from desalination plants is economically feasible, considering diesel price and cost of operation and maintenance of the

ships,” the report stated. According to the report, solar energy has become an attractive option for water desalination in the wake of the sharp decline in the cost of photo-voltaic (PV)based systems for electricity generation. It is particularly competitive in rural areas where diesel is currently used

PI unveils $3m solar car for January race The Petroleum Institute (PI) has launched a solar-powered car to represent the UAE in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge, January 15-19. The super-sleek high-tech vehicle will compete against 20 international teams in a multi-day timed road competition across 1,200km of Abu Dhabi. Young PI students will battle elite international teams, including entries from Japan, the United States, the Middle East, Australia and Europe. This is the first time the UAE has entered the competition, which for almost three decades has showcased the technology and speed of cars powered only by solar energy.

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as the primary fuel for electricity generation. Solar PV, the report emphasises, has also become “an economically attractive solution for power production in the MIS (Main Interconnected System serving the northern half of Oman) and the Salalah system, replacing gas-fired power”.

Panasonic obtains Dubai’s first LEED certification Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa (PMMAF) has become the first company in the UAE electronics industry to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development. Six companies in the UAE have now been LEED-certified under the existing building category.

Ompet to build PET plant in Sohar Sohar Port and Freezone has signed a deal with Oman International Petrochemical Industry Company (OMPET) to build a fully renewable manufacturing facility that will produce 1.5m tonnes of environmentally-friendly packaging materials. The plant will complement the port’s existing petrochemicals supply chain, and will feed into a global beverage industry that is currently valued at approximately US$1.3tn. The agreement will see OMPET lease a 330,000sqm plot at Sohar for the production of 250 kilo-tonnes of Poly Ethylene Terephthalate (PET), which is used to manufacture bottles primarily used to package soft drinks and singleserve beverages.

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UPDATE Offbeat news

Power of pine AUB researchers turn pine needles – a forest fire hazard – into a water purification opportunity Researchers at the American University of Beirut (AUB) have turned dry pine needles – usually a forest fire hazard – into an environmental asset. Led by civil and environmental engineering professor George Ayoub, the AUB group is the first scientific team to use dry pine needles to produce activated carbon, a material that is used to purify water, air filters and several production processes. The team is also the first to scientifically test the effectiveness of the pine-needle-produced activated carbon in removing heavy metals from water. In theory, all organic material can be turned into activated carbon, but coal and wood are the most commonly used source materials. AUB researchers, inspired by the abundance of pine trees on campus, decided to test a new source: dry pine needles. The results have been positive, prompting 01 researchers to push for collecting dry pine needles from forests, instead of leaving them as the spark that could consume Lebanon’s dwindling trees. While activated carbon is used to remove heavy metal contaminants from industrial wastewater, its decontamination effectiveness varies from one material to another. The AUB experiment showed that newly prepared pine-needle activated carbon is effective in adsorbing toxic heavy metals under various operating conditions. “The advantages [of pine needles] are that they are available worldwide and in large quantities,” said Ayoub. “They are very simple to collect and are already dry, so they

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don’t require a lot of breaking down in order to convert them [into activated carbon]. In other words, it’s much cheaper to turn pine needles, instead of wood, into activated carbon.” Professor Ayoub added that relying on pine needles would reduce the use of pinewood, which is sourced by cutting down pine trees, leading to forest destruction and environmental degradation. “By turning pine needles into activated carbon,” Ayoub said, “we would be turning a ubiquitous, potentially harmful material, into an economically advantageous product.” Ayoub conducted the experiment along with Ahmad Damaj, also of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Mahmoud Al-Hindi of the Chemical Engineering programme at AUB; and Houssam El Rassy from AUB’s Department of Chemistry. Their findings on the removal of nickel and cadmium from water were presented at the international conference WIN4Life on Tinos Island in Greece in 2013, and published by Balaban Desalination Publications in 2014. While Lebanese regulations on the treatment of industrial contaminants are barely enforced, Professor Ayoub believes there is still a large market for activated carbon, which makes the collection and conversion of pine needles a viable business. “Activated carbon is used very much in the water treatment industry,” he said. “It’s the best adsorbent material that you can think of. It’s also used in medicine.”

01 George Ayoub, Engineering Professor, AUB

UPDATE World News

GHG

Carbon

Top firms’ greenhouse gas emissions rise

Australia records biggest emissions drop in a decade

The top 500 firms by capitalisation accounted for 13.8% of world GHG emissions and 28% of GDP in 2013

Emissions reduction accelerated during a two-year span of carbon pricing

The greenhouse gas emissions of the world’s 500 largest companies increased by 3.1% from 2010 to 2013, threatening the UN-set target to keep global warming within 2ºC. The Global 500, which accounts for more than a tenth of international emissions and more than a quarter of GDP, should have cut emissions by 4.2%, according to the 2014 UNEP Emissions Gap Report. The top 500 firms by capitalisation accounted for 13.8% of world greenhouse gas emissions and 28% of gross domestic product in 2013. However, part of the responsibility for reducing emissions lies with the consumer, said the report from Thomson Reuters and BSD Consulting. “We are all a part of a stakeholder network that shares in the benefits provided by modern industry, but also in the responsibility for managing the impact of that industry on our planet, and the planet that subsequent generations will inhabit,” said Reuters director of sustainability Tim Nixon. “This is about transparency. We hope companies will look at the report and engage with their stakeholders to reduce emissions.” Steel giant Arcelor Mittal and US utilities firm Exelon Corporation are among the large companies that saw an emissions increase of more than 10% compared with 2010. Big companies which reduced their emissions by more than 10% included oil firms BP and Exxon Mobil, as well as UK mining companies Rio Tinto and Anglo American. The movement to cut emissions was given some momentum by the recent Lima climate change conference, where diplomats agreed that all countries must reach an “ambitious agreement” in Paris 2015 which “reflects different national circumstances”.

Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped 1.4% in the second full year of the carbon price – the largest recorded annual decrease in the past decade. Emissions in the June quarter rose 0.4%, according to data released by the Department of the Environment. However, annual emissions to June 2014 dropped 1.4%. The report states the decline in emissions over the 2013-14 financial year was due to a decrease in electricity demand, as well as changes in what is known as the generation mix. Emissions reduction accelerated during the two-year span of carbon pricing, with emissions edging down by 0.8% in the first 12 months of the system. “Over the year to June 2014, generation in the National Energy Market from black coal decreased by 5.1%, brown coal generation decreased by 3%, and gas generation decreased by 1.2%,” the report said. “Hydroelectric generation grew by 1.8% and generation from wind and other renewables continues to grow, increasing by 27.5%, from a small base.” Electricity sector emissions have declined significantly from peaks recorded in 2008-09. Australia may be able to increase its industrial emissions by 26% by 2020 and still easily meet its Kyoto protocol targets, new analysis released at the Lima climate talks suggests. The reason for the apparent anomaly is because it has secured a succession of advantageous deals on how land use is credited in carbon accounting rules, according to the Climate Action Tracker group.

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UPDATE World news

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ConSTrUCTIon

PoLLUTIon

Dunkin’ Donuts brews up green building programme

China drafts new law to fight air pollution

Franchisees will follow a five-stage programme during the construction phase of store development

Law to impose fines of up to $160,000 or even shut down factories over emission limits

Global doughnut company Dunkin’ Donuts has launched DD Green, a green building certification programme designed to help franchisees build sustainable, energyefficient restaurants. The company will work with franchisees and construction managers to build 100 new DD Greencertified restaurants by the end of 2016. To be recognised as a DD Green restaurant, franchisees, construction managers and architects must follow a five-stage programme during the planning, design and construction phases of store development. Those that meet the DD Green criteria will display a DD Green plaque in-store that notes the restaurant’s achievement in energy reduction and sustainable design. “We are committed to building greener restaurants, and this new program is designed to reduce our overall environmental footprint and improve operating costs for our franchisees,” said Paul Twohig, president, Dunkin’ Donuts US and Canada, and Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Europe and Latin America. The five stages of the DD Green programme are site development, store efficiency, healthy indoors, sustainable operations, and innovation and community. Each stage focuses on securing sustainable strategies and practices for restaurants, including the mitigation of construction pollution and waste recycling, installation of energy-efficient LED light fixtures, mechanical units and water-saving plumbing fixtures, implementation of healthy environments with indoor air quality management and use of zero-VOC paints.

China plans tougher pollution limits and heavier penalties in a revision of its air pollution law, state-run news agency Xinhua said, as the government battles to reduce the smog that takes hundreds of thousands of lives each year. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress is this week considering a draft that would impose fines of up to 1 million yuan ($160,000) or even shut down factories that exceed emission limits, Xinhua reported. China’s current law came into force in 1987, and despite a 2000 revision has not been updated to address the nation’s recent rapid economic growth, which has left major urban centres choked by smog. Last month, a study by green group Natural Resources Defence Council said that pollution from the coal industry alone killed 670,000 people in China in 2012. “Air pollution problems in certain regions have become prominent and smoggy days are often seen, all of which demonstrate that the existing law cannot fit in the current situation,” Environment Minister Zhou Shengxian said, according to Xinhua. A first draft of the new law was released by the State Council, China’s cabinet, in September. The revised law will set stricter standards for China’s 264 million vehicles, as well as for the coal industry and heavypolluting manufacturing. It will also include an early-warning system and contingency procedures for when pollution spikes in particularly affected areas, such as in the Beijing-Hebei-Tianjin region, which in the third quarter of 2014 suffered from pollution 45% of the time, Xinhua said.

Cover Story Oil and Gas

Unconventional wealth Non-traditional fuels usher in a new era of energy abundance As the conventional oil and gas (o&G) starts to dry up in the Middle east, a bigger and better opportunity may replace it. While crude oil prices are sliding, many companies and governments are cautiously investing in new and existing technologies to obtain o&G from unconventional sources.

Unconventional O&G will play an important role in the global fuel mix, with technological advancement across the entire value chain shaping the profitability of the industry in the long term. Despite the increasing affinity towards alternative energy sources, O&G will remain the primary energy source across the globe for years to come.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;At 600tn cubic feet, Saudi Arabia has the fifth largest unconventional gas reserves in the worldâ&#x20AC;? 016

Cover Story Oil and Gas

“The Khazzan project is the largest new upstream project in Oman and a pioneering development in the region in unlocking technically challenging tight gas through technology” Oman Oil and Gas minister mOhammed al rumhy

Official data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) and International Monetary Fund (IMF), among other sources, shows that conventional oil most likely peaked around 2008. “Production of conventional liquid oil has been flat since 2008. Reserves are growing due to better technology in old fields, raising the amount we can recover, but production is still falling at 4.1% per annum,” says Dr Richard G. Miller, who worked for BP from 1985 to 2008. Essentially, conventional production is in decline, but demand for oil isn’t. That means state-owned oil companies and large companies operating in the region need to find new fields and basins and apply new technology to get more out of established ones. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Global Oil and Gas Outlook 2014, finds that the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market remains highly attractive. “Gas will be one of the major fuels for power generation in 2030 despite economic uncertainty in the wake of recent African and Middle Eastern unrest. Furthermore, the recent Western sanctions on Russia following the conflict in Ukraine will negatively impact Russian oil and gas trade volumes,” the report says. “Natural gas is poised to enter a golden age, but will do so only if a significant proportion of the world’s vast resources of unconventional gas can be brought to markets in a manner that is both profitable and that addresses the legitimate public concerns about the associated

environmental and social impacts,” says IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven. Shale gaS In the Middle East, an increasingly important challenge for gas producers – with the exception of an export-oriented producer like Qatar – is to meet increasing demand for gas in domestic markets. This imperative to meet domestic needs leads to small amounts of shale gas being produced, mainly in Saudi Arabia and Oman, while conventional gas continues to dominate. Saudi Arabia has the world’s fifth-largest natural gas reserves, but natural gas production remains limited. The Kingdom does not import or export natural gas, so all consumption must be met by domestic production. Saudi arabia Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) launched its upstream Unconventional Gas programme in 2011 to access Saudi Arabia’s unconventional gas resources, and Saudi Aramco discussed the development of a 1,000MW power plant that will use shale gas for power generation. In mid-March 2013, Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi gave an estimate of over 600tn cubic feet of unconventional gas reserves, more than double proven conventional reserves. That would put Saudi Arabia fifth in a 32-country shale gas reserves ranking compiled for the US Energy Information Administration. Oman Oman is planning to explore shale gas in concession areas of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO). Studies are now checking the viability of developing shale gas fields in Oman, says Khalifa Mubarak Al Hinai, advisor at the Ministry of Oil and Gas. Last year, UK energy giant BP signed a 30-year gas production sharing and sales agreements to develop a shale gas project in Khazzan with an investment of $16bn. Construction work for Khazzan is under way and production is expected to launch in late 2017. “The Khazzan project is the largest new upstream project in Oman and a pioneering development in the region in unlocking technically challenging tight gas through technology,” Oman Oil and Gas minister Mohammed Al Rumhy notes. The project aims to extract around one

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Cover Story Oil and Gas

billion cubic feet (bcf ) of gas per day from deep under central Oman. “Our geology is very complex, but [energy companies] have recognised that the shale opportunity is huge,” Al Rumhy adds. In North Africa, unconventional gas plays a slightly more significant role, with Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco starting to produce shale gas in the early 2020s. “By the end of the projection period, unconventional gas production reaches around 8% of total output in Algeria; with conventional resources becoming scarcer by this time, unconventional gas helps to maintain consistently high levels of production and export,” the EIA projects.

The future of natural gas hinges critically on the successful development of the world’s vast unconventional gas resources. North American experience shows unconventional gas, shale in particular, can be exploited economically. Many countries are lining up to emulate this success, but some governments are hesitant, or even actively opposed. They are responding to concerns that production might involve unacceptable environmental damage. Although shale gas has caused a great deal of excitement, there is uncertainty about actual reserves and what percentage of those reserves is recoverable. The need for refined drilling techniques and rigs will add to development time and cost.

“The future of natural gas hinges critically on the successful development of the world’s vast unconventional gas resources” iea executive directOr maria van der hOeven

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Cover Story Oil and Gas

Path forward for biofuels Biofuels will make up 8% of the world’s oil volumes by 2022, and the GCC will have an important share of demand and market

A combination of brisk economic expansion and population growth is fuelling a rapid increase in energy demand in the Gulf countries. Although the economic forecast is positive, unmanaged growth may result in power shortages and high carbon emissions. The GCC countries control 40% of the world’s known oil reserves and 23% of proven natural gas reserves. World dependence on region’s energy exports will grow significantly by 2020. In such circumstances, conserving resources is crucial — not only because hydrocarbons are finite, but also because conservation makes financial sense. Demand for fuel is already increasing at a high pace, compelling member states to explore renewable and sustainable sources of energy like biofuels. Moreover, using fossil fuels in transportation means having less available for export, which in turn means high opportunity costs. According to estimates, biofuels will make up 8% of the world’s oil volumes by 2022 and the GCC will have an important share of both demand and market. In the GCC, the UAE is the initiator of the biofuels market. Although a late entrant to the industry, biofuels are gaining significance, mainly due to increasing demand for automotive fuel. The potential for biodiesel, generated

from used cooking oil, is tremendous in a city such as Dubai that is focused on driving its hospitality and tourism sectors as a part of economic diversification. The GCC governments are aware that they must prepare for a world of increased competition in energy markets. This is blunting some of the traditional resistance in the region to developing alternative energy sources like biofuels. Rather than perceiving such fuels as threats to their markets – measures that either reduce demand or offer substitutes for fossil fuel exports – many in the region are starting to see these technologies as part of an unstoppable global trend, and one from which they can actually benefit if they develop competitive technologies themselves. In the coming decade, the GCC countries will face pressure to use their energy resources more efficiently, in order to supply their rapidly growing populations, free up resources for export and address concerns about climate change and pollution. Alternative sources of energy, such as biofuels, will play a key role in meeting the increasing demand for renewable sources of energy. The author, Imran Khan, is an operation analyst at Lootah BioFuels

01 Imran Khan

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EvENT PrEvIEW ADSW

The case for solar With solar power becoming cost competitive with traditional sources, renewable energy will figure prominently on the WFES 2015 agenda

When leaders from industry, government and science gather in Abu Dhabi in January for the eighth annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES), the UAE’s solar energy companies will be strongly represented, underscoring their prominent role in the rapid expansion of solar capacity across the region. In fact, MENA countries have committed to installing up to 37GW of renewable energy projects within the next 10 years. With 30,000 attendees expected from 170 countries over four days from 19-22 January, WFES unites the key players – from industry, technology, finance and government – needed to accelerate commercial opportunities in the renewable energy and clean technology sectors. WFES takes place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a

global platform to address the interconnected challenges of economic development, water scarcity, poverty, energy and climate change that affect the widespread acceleration and adoption of sustainable development and clean energy. ADSW is hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company and a major innovator in solar projects not only in the Middle East, but around the world. Another key Abu Dhabi solar player that has been with WFES from the beginning is Enviromena Power Systems, which develops and constructs solar PV plants throughout the MENA region. Enviromena, founded in 2007, was a pioneer in building the first grid-connected, utility-scale photovoltaic plant in the Middle East. Today, the company holds the largest portfolio of small and medium-scale solar photovoltaic projects in the

“MENA countries have committed to installing up to 37GW of renewable energy projects within the next 10 years” 020

EvENT PrEvIEW ADSW

region, with more than 30 projects in six countries totalling more than 40MW. With solar power becoming cost competitive with traditional energy sources, solar energy will figure prominently on the WFES 2015 agenda. Industry participants will benefit from panels focused on ways to operate and optimise different types of solar facilities, as well as how to access development capital through innovative business models, partnerships and new sources of finance. Panels will feature speakers from such industry-leading companies as SunEdison, FirstSolar, SkyPower, Sunpower and Bright Source Energy.

From the land of the rising sun The Japanese pavilion at WFES 2015 will introduce a space-based solar power plant that generates energy by collecting sunlight in geostationary orbit

SpEAkErS iN focuS

First Solar First Solar is a longstanding partner of the World Future Energy Summit, and we are looking forward to its 2015 edition. From past experience, the Summit and its exhibition provide an excellent platform to showcase our solutions, spotlight our expertise and thought leadership, and connect with our collaborators. What is becoming increasingly clear is that we’re seeing a global transition to renewables; this is also true of the Middle East. This transition is centred on the growing realisation that solar is no longer a subsidy-enabled option. What is significant is that demand is being motivated by market realities, such as cost competitiveness with conventional fuels. It is in this context that we see growing capacity in the region, and as the region’s solar energy plans start to take off, we expect to aggressively pursue these opportunities. AHmEd S NAdA Vice President for the Middle east FIrST Solar

Enviromena Power Systems Grid connectivity of renewable-derived electricity, particularly solar, is crucially important in diversifying the energy mix, achieving more cost-effective forms of power generation and supporting the economic growth of the MENa region through job creation. Thanks to government strategies that started in abu Dhabi and the Gulf region, we expect the capacity of new solar projects to increase substantially as solar becomes a key component of the energy mix in many Middle Eastern countries. SAmi Al KHorEibi ceo ENvIroMENa

Seventeen solar companies from Japan will participate in WFES 2015. At the Japan pavilion, there will be symbolic exhibits under the theme of Solar Power Energy. This exhibition will introduce Space Solar Power Systems (SSPS), studied and developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. SSPS is a space-based solar power plant that generates energy by collecting sunlight in geostationary orbit. The energy is then transmitted to the ground in the form of microwaves or laser beams, and converted into electricity and hydrogen for practical use. In addition to this exhibit, the pavilion will also showcase a H-IIA launch vehicle model (1/33 scale), one of Japan’s flagship launch vehicles. The Japan pavilion will also introduce a propositional exhibit, a future environmental island, Green Float, which uses the energy transmitted by SSPS. Green Float is a city in the sky that floats on the water, rising 700-1,000m above the equator where temperatures are stable at 26-28°C year-round and the impact of typhoons is minimal. Its innovations include an energy distribution system that uses direct current, and a seawater desalination plant that creates fountains of fresh water above the ocean and captures surrounding CO2 with a CCS (carbon dioxide capture and storage) system.

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EvENT PrEvIEW ADSW

Decoupling growth from environmental impact It is critical to reduce the link between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions The need to decouple economic growth from energy consumption and pollution is reshaping the global energy landscape. rapid population growth and the development of regions such as the Middle East translate into accelerated demand for energy. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the region’s energy demand will grow by 70% by 2040, while electricity demand will more than double. All this raises a critical question: How can the link between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions be reduced? The focus must be on driving existing, tested and rapidpayback technologies for power generation and energy efficiency that also have a positive impact on the economy. With solar prices falling by nearly 80% and onshore wind by 60% over the last five years, these sources are becoming competitive with traditional ones. In fact, renewables in the Middle East will see one-third of the US $156bn slated to be invested in new power plants over the next decade, according to the IEA. The region’s benefits from renewables are manifold, and include clean energy, a diversified energy mix, preservation

“Leaders in the Middle East see an opportunity to turn the region into an innovation hub” of local oil production for exports and access to electricity for multiple applications while localising expertise. Against the backdrop of an expected sharp increase in future energy and power demand, leaders in the Middle East see an opportunity to turn the region into an innovation hub where natural resources are harnessed efficiently and sustainably. Positive steps have been taken. Countries like Jordan have established incentive programmes for solar photovoltaics (PV) and are now promoting rooftop installation through net metering. Meanwhile, Egypt is among the region’s largest generators of wind energy and has introduced feed-in tariffs to support PV deployment. In fact, ABB recently inaugurated the PV rooftop installation on one of our own facilities. Saudi Arabia consumes around 11% of its daily oil production for domestic power generation, representing

$43.8bn in oil revenue in 2013 alone, but it has announced a $109bn plan to generate a third of its electricity from renewables by 2032. Almost 80%, or 41GW, will come from solar. The UAE boosted investment in solar by launching the Shams 1 concentrated solar plant last year. Dubai has opened the first 13MW phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid solar PV park, where ABB’s substations will integrate the power into the local grid. The second phase of the project for 100MW is already in the final stage of tendering, and when completed in 2030, the plant will have a generating capacity of 1,000MW. Additionally, ABB is collaborating with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority to develop a grid-connected PV rooftop system at ABB’s premises to be used as a learning tool for further rooftop systems in the Emirate. There are also opportunities emerging for micro-grid applications in remote locations, from providing access to electricity to powering large-scale water desalination facilities or oil fields with solar PV as a competitive alternative to grid expansion or fossil-fuel generation. Renewable energy ambitions and targets across the region must materialise through long-term, sustainable support and policies that attract the investment necessary to nurture the establishment of a local industry. The author, Maxine Ghavi, is the Group Senior Vice President and Head of ABB’s Solar Industry Segment Initiative, and will speak at the WFES Conference Programme 2015.

01 Maxine Ghavi

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EvENT PrEvIEW ADSW

Zero waste and beyond at EcoWaSTE 2015, major international companies will showcase pioneering solutions and best practices in integrated waste management The upcoming edition of EcoWASTE, a platform dedicated to showcasing next-generation waste management and recycling solutions, will see some of the world’s biggest names in the integrated waste management domain converge to explore opportunities and debate challenges surrounding sustainability. Scheduled to run during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the event has attracted international names such as Lavajet, Averda and Tadweer. “The overwhelming response from local and international companies to participate in EcoWASTE 2015 and showcase their latest technologies, innovations, solutions and best practices in waste management underlines the growing importance of this platform for the emerging integrated waste management industry,” says Eisa Saif Al Qubaisi, General Manager of Tadweer. Al Qubaisi adds that the high level participation of key stakeholders at the annual event reiterates Abu Dhabi’s prominent position as a global destination that leads sustainability efforts. “EcoWASTE is an ideal platform to highlight our commitment to finding lasting solutions for waste treatment and disposal challenges. The presence of leading experts in waste management and recycling will offer us an important learning and networking opportunity. We commend

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Tadweer’s commitment towards sustainable development and safeguarding the health and safety of society,” says Elie Salem, Project Manager, Lavajet. German manufacturing giant Terex Fuchs will showcase material handlers that incorporate powerful and reliable hydraulics capable of handling heavy waste loads. The machines are designed for in-port handling, recycling management, scrap handling and timber handling. Waste by-products, such as discarded metal, electrical and plastic goods, can leave behind substances that drip-feed into the environment, causing irreversible harm. Given the urgent need for innovative solutions to this growing problem, the exhibition will cover the entire spectrum of solid waste management services in the context of the dramatic increase in per capita waste production in the GCC region. “Last year’s inaugural edition of EcoWASTE highlighted the urgent need to reduce urban waste, and offered us an opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of community participation in adopting sustainable practices in waste recycling. We look forward to showcasing our indigenous city cleaning services, advanced waste management solutions and intelligent applications in waste collection, segregation and recycling for key decision-makers and stakeholders in sustainability,” says Jeroen Vincent, Chief Operating Officer for GCC region, Averda.

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BGrEEn initiAtivE UAE Sustainable 2013/14

UAE’s greenest BGreen readers vote Unibeton and Brookfield Multiplex as the most sustainable companies in the UAE Last year, BGreen launched the region’s first voting platform ‘UAE Sustainable 2013/14’ initiative to recognise the most sustainable companies in the UAE. the initiative, which was in association with Jotun, received an overwhelming response from our readers. Subsequent to the online voting, Unibeton earned the highest ranking while Brookfield Multiplex scored the most number of votes. The winners stand as role models whose work embodies the industry’s efforts to be strong advocates for sustainability in doing what’s best for both the environment and for the business. We would like to express our thanks to all applicants for participating and congratulate the winners. Delta Faucet Delta Faucet Company is committed to sustainability and providing smart water delivery solutions that maximise water savings without sacrificing comfort and convenience. We are devoted to green manufacturing processes and to helping people use water in smarter and more environmentally responsible ways. In early 2014, Delta products were added to the Estidama Villa Product Database in the UAE and the company has also been recognised as a 2011 and 2013 WaterSense Manufacturer Partner of the Year for its ongoing commitment to water efficiency. Ross JAckson, General Manager - Middle East & north Africa, Delta Faucet company

Brookfield Multiplex Brookfield Multiplex is committed to providing the highest quality end-product and to delivering responsible environmental solutions and innovative sustainability strategies. Our ultimate objective is to improve the social and environmental outcomes associated with the design and construction of our projects, together with the wellness and safety of our employees, end-users and wider community. stEphEn sMith, sustainability Manager, Brookfield Multiplex

Dulsco Environmental awareness and contributing to our society are two of the core values of Dulsco. In all activities, Dulsco demonstrates its commitment to preservation of environment and green practices, and pursues various sustainability initiatives both externally and internally. s BAlAkUMAR, Managing Director, Dulsco

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The Total Office Our manufacturing facility in Sharjah is the only one in the Middle East that produces Greenguard Certified products. Outside of both our showrooms are LEED accredited. We contribute Surge for Water - a water awareness and charity programme that brings fresh water to children and families across several nations. siDDhARth pEtERs, cEo, the total office

BASF At BASF, we create chemistry to address some of the world’s emerging environmental challenges. As the world’s leading chemical company, our sustainable products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. Unibeton One of the main objectives of Unibeton’s ‘Strategic Sustainability Programme’ was to attain a level of true excellence in this field. Unibeton achieved this objective in 2013 by being recognised by the National Ready Mix Concrete Association (USA) with the world’s first and only gold certified ‘sustainable concrete plant’ meaning Unibeton demonstrated the commitment and excellence in ‘sustainable manufacturing’ and continuous environmental improvement of RMC products. RoBin p JonEs, Director, international strategic Business Development & Marketing, Unibeton Ready Mix

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Cover Story Malak Ali Hassan

Soaring aspirations 3Dimension Engineering Services CEO Malak Ali Hassan is an intrinsic part of the UAE’s wheel of sustainable development thirty-three-year-old emirati designer eng Malak Ali Hassan is actively involved in sustainable construction, with the aim of establishing a green organisation made up of female architects and designers to push the case for eco-friendly buildings in the UAe. Ranked the 85th most powerful Arab woman by Forbes magazine, Eng Hassan is the owner and CEO of architecture consultancy firm 3Dimension Engineering Services, which launched its energy-efficient “Green Pre-designed Villa Concept” earlier this year. Eng Hassan’s green designs use insulating building blocks, clever shading and a garden irrigated using recycled water. The company offers buyers two options: buy the designs and build their own eco-friendly home, or take a turnkey option and allow 3Dimension to build it all, including interior design and space planning. Villas take about eight months to build. In an exclusive interview with BGreen, Eng Hassan shares her company’s vision to be part of the wheel of sustainable development in the UAE and the wider region.

3Dimension unveiled the green pre-designed villa concept earlier this year. How have things moved on since then?

We planned the pre-designed green villas based on our objective to promote smarter water usage and to reduce energy consumption, while ensuring that only sustainable building materials are used, with minimal impact on the environment. Our green villas are ergonomically feasible, environment-friendly and socio-economically viable. Some of our concepts are exclusively for Emirati families, which may be developed by the UAE government, private companies or individuals. Other projects are aimed at providing affordable housing to low-income people, widows and divorcees. We have also developed a concept to support refugees from war-torn countries and areas affected by natural disasters. The term ‘pre-designed villas’ does not refer to a rigid kind of housing. It reflects a sophisticated aesthetic and sets benchmarks in adaptability and sustainability. Our company has a social responsibility to educate people

Cover Story Malak Ali Hassan

â&#x20AC;&#x153;As both an engineer and an Emirati woman, I am proud to be the first to present the green pre-designed villa concept in the UAEâ&#x20AC;? how to live greener lives. The cost of building a green villa can be the same as that of building a conventional villa, but it is much better for the community and the environment. People need to see this in action. Is the UAE finally getting serious about green housing?

The UAE authorities are keenly perusing their Green Economy plans, and genuine efforts are being made to raise environmental awareness in the building sector. I am sure that these will bear fruit in the coming year and thereafter. The government sector is getting better in terms of sustainability, but I think we need to improve things in the private sector. There is also a need to bring more women to the front lines. As both an engineer and an Emirati woman, I am proud to be the first to present the green pre-designed villa concept to investors in the UAE. It has been our continuous dream at 3Dimension to be a part of the wheel of sustainable development in the UAE and the wider region. Our vision is to create a framework that fosters the local human life in line with the principles of environmental sustainability. Sustainable construction in the UAE was first embraced by Abu Dhabi with the creation of Estidama in 2010. How has progress been in the last four years?

In the city of Abu Dhabi alone, over 10,000 villas have already been rated, and 7,500 of them have at least a two-pearl rating. Estidama now has more than 50 pearl-rated schools, with numerous public and private buildings being rated. Today, the city is home to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest cluster of highperformance buildings. Is the architecture of your pre-designed villa concept in compliance with Estidama regulations?

Our villas concept surpasses competitors in compliance and rating, both in Abu Dhabi [Estidama] and Dubai. Compared to conventional villas, how much energy saving can be achieved by green villas, in terms of air conditioning tonnage, air leakage, water saving, etc?

Our projects incorporate the latest Energy Star efficiency specifications and eco-conscious materials, with practical usage of natural light and ventilation. By implementing efficient design that incorporates natural daylight, thermal insulation and thermoelectric materials, our villas have achieved significant energy savings. The natural ventilation capacity of our villa is 25-33% more than a conventional one. The cooling load saving is about 95MWh/year, while electricity savings could be close to 38MWh/year.

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Cover Story Malak Ali Hassan

“The cost of building a green villa can be the same as that of building a conventional villa, but it is much better for the community and the environment” Double to triple glazed windows reduce energy consumption by 20%. Low-flow taps lessen water usage by 30%. This saving is further enhanced by treating and recycling grey water. Passive solar water-heating systems meet 90% of hot water needs. Our villas stretch to 4,757 square feet for the threebedroom option, and a huge 8,446 square feet five-bedroom option. The space includes garden areas inside the villa complex, allowing families to retain privacy while staying outdoors more, thus reducing air conditioning usage. Is it difficult for architects to adapt to different building codes across the country – for instance, Estidama in Abu Dhabi and the Green Building Regulations in Dubai? Do you think a unified building code would be more appropriate?

Perhaps in the next 10 years’ time, we should reap the initial benefits of Estidama in Abu Dhabi and LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] in Dubai. Thereafter, the UAE may adopt one of these two, or develop a hybrid system which is suitable for the environmental conditions throughout the country. The USGBC [US Green Building Council] has developed a ‘universal’ LEED rating system, which would be applicable as a global rating benchmark [LEED version 3.0 – 2009]. Dubai is now a global metropolis, competing with the richest and most highly advanced Western cities. To complement this growth, LEED would be the most suitable option for the city. For Abu Dhabi, Estidama is a definitely a brilliant rating system that tackles both the socio-economic and envirotechnical requirements.

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Tell us about your upcoming projects.

We are discussing with authorities and also negotiating with regional investors and contractors to develop affordable, green communities in the UAE on a PPP (Public Private Partnership) basis. We would like to collaborate with ESMA [Emirates Standardisation and Metrology Authority] to contribute to the development of the UAE Green Economy initiative. We also aim to be a globally licenced, certified body in the GCC. Being a member of the Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC), we are looking to promote sustainable practices through our projects. What projects have you undertaken as a consulting company?

We offered integrated consultancy services to National Gulf Investment Group, which consists of 12 companies in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman. These services comprise architecture & construction design, surveying engineering services, green consultancy, interior design consultancy, and project feasibility studies. Our completed projects include three labour camps, headquarters, two head offices, quantity surveying, feasibility study, landscaping and hardscaping design of public parks in Abu Dhabi for National Gulf Constructions; an engineering workshop for National Gulf Steel Industries & Engineering; a garage for heavy equipment and vehicles; a feasibility study and engineering design for a G+8 building of National Gulf Investment; a feasibility study for crusher plant expansion for National Gulf Stones; and study & design for a heavytruck garage for Rokn Al Shomoukh Company (Oman).

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construction Off-site

An off-site approach UAE-based Faizal E Kottikollon is building India’s first industrial destination wholly dedicated to off-site construction When the deciduous forests of Krishnagiri district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu shed their leaves every autumn, the hills change hue from green to a majestic earthen brown. The terrain is intersected by several rivers that meander through the 5,143sqkm district – the Pambar, Ponniyar, Chinnar and Cauvery – important water sources to its approximately 2m residents. About 40% of Krishnagiri district lies under forest cover and is home to elephants, deer, bison, boars and panthers. The big lakes in Anchetti and Hosur attract flocks of migratory birds, such as painted storks and teals. It’s not hard to imagine why the region has appealed to man since prehistoric times. Archaeological findings suggest the region has been inhabited by people since the Paleolithic era some 2.6m years ago. Agriculture is the mainstay of the local economy, as is typical for vast swathes of rural India. The fertile soil in Krishnagiri is ideal for some of the best mango orchards in the country – these hardwood trees cover more than 300sqkm of the district. The government has also carved out sectors to promote large, medium and small industry, and several national

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companies have capitalised on Tamil Nadu state’s enabling economic climate and sound infrastructure by setting up industrial facilities here. This is the rich setting for a project that has the potential to transform the face of India’s construction industry. Here, UAE-based engineer-turned-entrepreneur Faizal E Kottikollon, Founder and Chairman of KEF Holdings, is

the Project Built, operated and owned by KEF Holdings, the 42-acre industrial park is an integrated facility dedicated to delivering international standards in precast construction to clients in South India, in the cities of Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi. The entire facility will be LEED-certified. Eighty kilometres from Bengaluru, KEF Industrial Park has five distinct components – a precast unit, prefabricated bathrooms and modular MEP unit, fit-out and joinery, aluminium and glazing unit, and a stone processing facility.

01 An aerial perspective of the KEF Industrial Park in Krishnagiri, India

CONSTRUCTION Off-site

building the country’s first industrial destination wholly dedicated to off-site construction. Industrial progress is not the sole objective driving Kottikollon. The 50-year-old visionary is also going to great lengths to ensure that the 42-acre KEF Industrial Park functions in harmony with its natural surroundings. The park will conform to LEED Platinum standards and emerge as one of India’s greenest industrial facilities, once complete in Q2 2015. The inherenT green India has traditionally built using the on-site model. This approach to construction revolves around the building site, which becomes a beehive of activity as raw materials and machinery are transported on-site and labourers perched on scaffolding painstakingly grow the structure, layer upon layer. The manual handling of raw materials comes with its own challenges, from lapses in product quality to wastage of materials. Both aspects needlessly escalate project time and costs. Moreover, on-site construction, when undertaken in compact Indian cities, impedes traffic and triggers side-effects like air and sound pollution. KEF Industrial Park, Kottikollon hopes, will succeed in demonstrating the efficacy of off-site construction. “Currently, India has 1.2bn people, and a dire need for modern, good quality infrastructure. We also have to think in terms of infrastructural needs about the 400m more people that will be born in the country leading up to 2050. India’s construction industry needs to move swiftly to execute projects, by maximising utility and conservation while minimising wastage and impact to the environment. Off-site construction is the way India needs to go,” he says. Economic and environmental sustainability are compelling dimensions of the off-site construction model, he adds. When building components such as walls, pillars, staircases, bathrooms and kitchens are manufactured inside a factory and then transported to site, where they are assembled together, Lego-like, the process shaves 50% off a project’s time span and as much as 30% of its costs. Earlier occupancy of a building also means faster revenue generation. Another important advantage, Kottikollon points out, is the high quality of the structure, as modules are constructed in factories under stringent processes often driven by

computers. This will also be the case at KEF Industrial Park. Modular construction methods and materials allow a building to be more readily deconstructed and moved to another location should the need arise, so complete building reuse or recycling is an integral part of modular technology. a TemplaTe for susTainabiliTy “We are constantly amazed by the natural beauty of the place,” Kottikollon states. “This has prompted the KEF team to design this park factoring in every sustainable principle in an optimal way. Our consultants, En3 Sustainability Solutions, share and support our commitment to build and operate a facility that is in harmony with its environment.” En3 is a prominent green building and sustainability design firm that has worked on over 500 green projects in India, the Middle East and Africa, and is the green consultant on the KEF project. Executive director Deepa Sathiaram, who holds an LEED fellowship, says, “From get-go we appreciated KEF’s mandate, which primarily minimises any negative impact on the ecosystem. The approach is to reduce site disturbance, maintain natural topography and vegetation as much as possible and ensure that the project blends harmoniously into the environment.” KEF Industrial Park’s three-pronged green strategy focuses on energy efficiency, water conservation and waste management. The facility is packed with sustainable features

“The objective of the project is to produce energy-efficient products at optimal costs and implement water and energy conservation measures in our own manufacturing facility” FaIzaL E KoT TIKoLLon, FounDEr anD CHaIrman, KEF HoLDIngS

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construction Off-site

“The goal is to reduce water consumption by over 40% compared to conventional buildings and energy use by 30%” including the use of green building materials, as well as various energy efficiency measures such as a high performance building envelope to reduce heat ingress and save energy, harnessing of natural light to reduce dependence on artificial light, implementing rain water harvesting techniques, and using energy-efficient systems in lighting. The facility is also equipped to recycle its waste material as much as possible and reduce exploitation of virgin resources. “The goal is to reduce water consumption by over 40% compared to conventional buildings and energy use by 30%. Water use reduction will be done through 100% treatment of wastewater and reuse, and deployment of low-flow toilet fixtures,” says Sathiaram. “The entire facility will be landscaped using only native and adaptive species that are responsive to the climatic conditions of this region and do not require elaborate maintenance in terms of water consumption.” Once completed, KEF will be well poised to pass on the economic benefits of such savings to its clients. “The objective of the project is to produce energy-efficient products at optimal costs and implement water and energy conservation measures in our own manufacturing facility. By doing so, we will be able to reduce operational costs. That can mean greater cost benefits to the client,” says Kottikollon. Deepa Sathiaram adds: “Most projects in India are not

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bound by law to adhere to international benchmarks such as LEED, but it is always good to see companies act in an environmentally responsible way.” replicaTing The success Kottikollon says India needs dozens of industrial parks such as the one he is building if it is to successfully bridge the huge gap in infrastructure. “We need homes, toilets, schools, colleges, hospitals. KEF is ready to collaborate with industry peers and share our insights with them. KEF Industrial Park is meant to be a functional template that aims to inspire others into building more such industrial destinations for off-site construction projects.” Such intelligence sharing will take the shape of an annual sustainability report that KEF plans to make accessible to the public. The report will include tracking and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and other sustainability parameters based on international norms, and offer proof points to demonstrate the efficiency of the sustainability model. “As part of our green education process, we will be training all our staff to ensure they are eco-aware and implement sustainability measures throughout the life of the building. Our approach is not to achieve one-time sustainability, but to ensure that our buildings and operations remain green throughout the lifecycle of the organisation.” Kottikollon says.

02 Artist’s rendition of the PMHP Hospital under construction in Calicut, India

The group that brought Africa’s Greenest Hotel to Cape Town Airport, now offers project management of design, construction, operation and implementation of world-class sustainable hotel developments globally. Hotel Verde, Africa’s Greenest Hotel & first hotel in Africa to offer carbon neutral accommodation to guests, currently runs at 70% higher energy efficiency than an average hotel. It is also the first hotel in Africa to receive Platinum LEED for New Construction by the United States Green Building Council. Verde Invest provides a one stop solution for investors, hotel owners and developers to capitalise on the rapidly growing industry of green building and sustainable tourism.

Visit verdeinvest.net to learn more & to view our flagship project : Hotel Verde, Cape Town Airport, Africa’s Greenest Hotel (www.hotelverde.co.za)

ConsTruCTion Dubai Municipality

Critical laboratory Dubai Central Laboratory tests green materials and products to ensure businesses operate to the highest quality standards Based on the strategic goals of Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL) of Dubai Municipality, the engineering materials laboratory section has established a specialised testing laboratory for green building materials and products. This is the first laboratory of its kind in the Gulf region and has carried out more than 50 tests on various green materials, including energy-saving products, paints, coatings and adhesives. The laboratory also facilitates the application of the Dubai Green Building Regulations and the certification of green materials. Of 58 tests conducted, 50 led to ISO 17025 accreditation by Dubai Accreditation Centre. Physical, mechanical, thermal and fire properties of green materials are tested to international standards, using sophisticated equipment. The laboratoryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly qualified and experienced staff perform tests such as thermal conductivity, solar reflectance index, light reflectance value, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, ignitability, oxygen index and non-combustibility.

036

Methodology A survey of relevant literature was conducted through the websites of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major green council bodies, and experts in the field were contacted to ascertain the required test for each and every green material. The corresponding testing methods come from ASTM, ISO and BS standard organisations. After collecting the appropriate test methods for different materials, the Engineering Material section of Dubai Central Laboratory enquires about appropriate testing equipment with reputable equipment manufacturers and suppliers. After a thorough study of various catalogues, the suitable equipment is selected and procured. The technical team visits other green materials testing centres to improve knowledge on advanced equipment. Periodically, manufacturing experts visit the lab to share knowledge with technicians. To assess the performance of equipment and the staff, dummy tests are conducted on various green materials and worksheets, and test reports are made based on the ISO 17025 quality system.

ConstruCtion Dubai Municipality

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Green Materials Testing Laboratory is the first laboratory of its kind in the region and has carried out more than 50 tests on various green materials, including energy-saving products, paints, coatings and adhesivesâ&#x20AC;? ISO 17025 accredItatIOn DCL requested ISO 17025 (which specifies the general requirements for the competence to carry out tests and/or calibrations, including sampling) green materials testing accreditation from the Dubai Accreditation department, and a technical expert from UKAS audited the laboratory.

Accreditation for 50 tests was granted. DCL provides green building materials testing services to manufacturers, suppliers and contractors. The author, Eng Ali Ahmed Elian, is head of Engineering Materials at Dubai Central Laboratory.

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MULTICAL 302 BTU Meter ®

– Simple and easy installation and long-term accuracy

Based on our long-term experience within metering and billing of Cooling energy consumption, Kamstrup introduces MULTICAL® 302 – a compact BTU Meter that offers you the best within precision metering, data communication and user interfaces on low operation costs. • Compact design – easy to install • Long-term accuracy • Integrated wire and wireless M-Bus communication • On-site configuration of all parameters • Large data storage for optimum customer service

Kamstrup Middle East FZC · P.O. Box 500 468 · Dubai · United Arab Emirates · Tel: +971 4 453 7337 · dubai@kamstrup.com · www.kamstrup.com

INNOVATION Product Update

Innovation

Carlisle HVAC sealant Carlisle HVAC www.carlislehvac.com

GAC HullWiper GAC www.gac.com

Qmega MICC Omega www.qmega.ae

Carlisle HVAC’s RS-100 is a water based sealant, engineered to seal joints and seams from the inside of the HVAC ductwork. The physical properties of the product meet SMACNA pressure classes. The sealant provides resistance to mould growth and allows for system vibration without cracking. In addition, using RS-100 can contribute toward LEED credit requirements. Leaky ducts cause HVAC systems to work much harder, increasing a building’s energy bills and carbon footprint. Improperly sealed ducts can also circulate and deposit dirty, dusty air throughout a facility, causing problems for those who suffer from allergies and asthma. Carlisle HVAC claims that by using RS-100, leakage can be reduced from 970 CFM (18%) to less than 100 CFM (2%).

HullWiper is an underwater cleaning system that uses seawater under high pressure as the cleaning medium instead of brushes or abrasives, resulting in minimal damage to the antifouling surface. The system allows the operator to control water pressure and monitor the cleaning process through forward and aft facing CCTV cameras. The need to employ divers for the cleaning job is therefore eliminated, cutting operational costs and the risk to human life. Residues and harmful marine are collected in a waste filter unit connected with the ROV, then disposed in an environmentally-friendly manner instead of being discharged into the sea as is done using traditional methods.

Qmega has developed the MICC (Monitored Inverter Converter and Charger), a control device for PV panel based solar power. By integrating PV panels and batteries to the MICC, inefficiencies and shortcomings of existing methodologies can be eliminated through a new integrated software driven topology. The MICC integrates and synchronises the conversion, inversion, charging, control and monitoring functionalities of a PV based solar power system into one stand-alone device. Three main microcontrollers run a synchronised operation with one independent Pentium microprocessor monitoring and logging operational data.

Key features: Spray applied in HVAC Robotics, airless sprayer or paint brush. Storage temperature - 35°F to 110°F (1.7°C to 44°C) Synthetic polymer base VOC - Exempt: 0 g/l, Non-Exempt: 48 g/l (less water)

Key features: Cleaning speed – 1000-1,500sqm/ hour No diver intervention required Can clean ships while taking on bunker fuels or loading/ discharging cargo Allowed to clean ships in port All residue and pollutants are collected and disposed in an environmentally-friendly manner

Key features: Inverter runs on a high voltage schema ranging from 192 – 1200 VDC High resolution pure sine wave 1024 steps/quarter cycle A DC to DC converter replaces the function of a conventional MPPT charger Efficiency – 96.7% peak and 99.1% normal

039

DIARY DATES Events & conferences

Diary dates PlastiCon 2015 Dubai, UAE January 11-12

The plastics community will meet for the sixth time at GPCA PlastiCon 2015 in Dubai. The annual event provides an up-to-date view of trends and developments in the regional and global plastics industry, including detailed information on resin demand, future growth, end use patterns and new investment opportunities. GPCA PlastiCon 2015 will focus on core technical and commercial aspects of the conversion industry. Company-specific plans will be discussed and technology experts will showcase innovative products and solutions. GPCA PlastiCon 2014 was a success, with the conference programme offering informative papers, generating knowledgesharing discussions and hosting over 350 industry attendees from Borouge, Dow Chemicals, Equate, Napco, Orpic, QAPCO, SABIC, Tasnee and many other companies.

040

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2015 Abu Dhabi, UAE Jan 18-24 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) will once again bring world leaders, policy makers, thought leaders, decision-makers, experts, scientists, business leaders and academics together to discuss, debate and ultimately address the energy and sustainability challenges of the future. Anchored by the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), the 2015 programme will feature a series of complementary events, conferences and exhibitions, including the International Water Summit, the Abu Dhabi Renewable Energy Conference, the Zayed Future Energy Prize Award Ceremony, the International Renewable Energy Agency meeting and Ecowaste. In 2014, ADSW welcomed over 32,000 participants from 170 countries.

Innovation Arabia 2015 Dubai, UAE Feb 16-18 Innovation Arabia 8 will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU). The main theme of this year’s conference is “Innovate, Collaborate and Differentiate: Honouring the Past, Treasuring the Present and Shaping the Future”. This theme reflects the university’s belief that innovation is the path to growth, progress and a better tomorrow for the Arab world. Countries in the Arab world need to embark on a journey of innovation and prepare the ground for the rise of the creative revolution, creative class and creative society, in order to transform into knowledge economies. The conference will also feature policy and strategy round tables, research awards and formal and networking opportunities.

MEFMA Annual CONFEX Dubai, UAE March 15-17 The MEFMA CONFEX 2015 will be the fourth edition and is themed as “Smart Technology, Smart Cities, Smarter FM”. The CONFEX attracts 500 – 700 delegates from all the Middle East between speakers, exhibitors, and a mixed audience of facilities management developers/ clients, service providers, and suppliers. WETEX 2015 Dubai, UAE April 21-23 WETEX is an important regional resourcing platform for national and international companies to access a wide range of the latest technology and management solutions. This year’s event will provide avenues for industry leaders to keep updated on the latest developments in the field of water, energy and environment, and as well to network and tie up with strategic partners.

RECRUITMENT Sustainability vacancies

Sponsored by

Recruitment Can industry go green?

SuStainability VacancieS from allen & york Sustainability Director

The public perception of environmentalists and sustainability advocates can often lean towards Greenpeace flag waving, tree hugging protestors - an image perceived as the polar opposite to the interests of petrochemical and heavy industrial firms. However with the evolution of the green sector and an increasing understanding of not only the PR but also the solid financial benefits of cutting emissions, maximising resource efficiency and caring for their staff welfare means that we see an ever growing number of employers analysing their corporate responsibility to see whether they need to create new positions in their organisation. This picture is particularly true for global corporates who are increasingly analysing the risks to their business of not having a Climate Change Adaptation strategy as part of their Enterprise Risk Management policy. Simon Bangs is the Group Manager of sustainability consultancy firm Allen & York.

A leading project management company responsible for the development of one of Qatar’s flagship mixed use developments currently needs an energetic and engaging advocate to lead their sustainability function. commissioning manager (buildings) An experienced Cx Manager with a proven track record in taking high profile sustainable projects through commissioning is required to work on a key project for the Q22 World Cup. Preference exists for an engineer coming from a mechanical engineering background but electrical engineers will also be considered. Sustainability manager Doha Metro is one of the largest infrastructure projects currently underway across the GCC and we are hiring an experienced sustainability engineer to lead the delivery & compliance of sustainability criteria. Water & Waste Section Head A western educated expat

is required to manage the pollution control of a large industrial complex in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Key focus is upon environmental monitoring & compliance to international best practice. Photovoltaic engineers Experienced power network engineers (ideally with solar PV experience on large projects). Experience in the following highly advantageous: Solar design/ DC design (including inverter specification), AC low voltage (LV) electrical design, Grid connection design including grid protection equipment, Medium voltage (MV) electrical design, Civil design (roads, buildings, and support structure foundations), Racking / support structure design & Monitoring system design technical Head (Solar PV) Responsible for technical designs and engineering proposals On and Off grid, Hybrid and micro grid solutions. Must have electrical grid connection experience as well as extensive Off grid experience.

Dubai Public Health Design International design consultancy - Must have four years + relevant experience in public health engineering design in the building services sector. Dubai Senior mechanical Design engineer International design consultancy – Must have six years + design experience Qatar meP commercial manager – covering the most Prestigious Qatar Projects World leading MEP contractor seeking a Commercial Manager with experience in MEP – Must have ten years experience. Principal technical Safety expert Do you have experience working in a consultancy and more than ten years experience in any of the following: HAZID, HAZOP, QRA, SIL, Bowtie Analysis or ALARP? If so we are confident that we can provide some excellent opportunities within the region.

To apply to any of these vacancies visit www.bgreen.ae/

041

GREEN PERSONALITY Salma Hayek

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GREEN PERSONALITY Salma Hayek

Old soul Academy Award nominee Salma Hayek is at the heart of the rapidly growing green activism among some of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars Growing up in the torrid Gulf Coast port of Coatzacoalcos gave Mexican actress Salma Hayek her first taste of environmental destruction – and this, in turn, helped to decide her career. Now 38, the Academy Award nominee is at the heart of the rapidly growing green activism among some of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars. Coatzacoalcos is a petrol refining centre, and Hayek’s Lebanese father worked in the oil business. Chemical spills were routine, and local beaches were often closed because they were polluted by tar – so she and her friends went to the cinema instead, which nurtured her love of films. Her upbringing also bred scepticism about political leadership. “I’m proud to be Mexican, but we’ve been lied to a bit too often by the government,” she says. At the 2005 Oscar ceremonies, Hayek rolled up on the red carpet in a fuel-efficient Toyota Prius instead of the traditional gas-guzzling limousines. Stepping out of the hybrid car made her the star of the ceremony, even though she didn’t have a nomination. “I personally own and drive a hybrid car, and I love it,” she says. “With global warming threatening us all, driving a fuel-efficient car like a hybrid is something that everyone can do to protect our planet.” Later that year, on Earth Day (22 April), she joined Jake Gyllenhaal – star of global warming movie The Day after Tomorrow – at Iqaluit in the Arctic in a protest backed by

Global Green USA, the US affiliate of Green Cross International, founded and led by Mikhail Gorbachev. With other US celebrities, businessmen, politicians and environmentalists, they stood with 700 Inuit (native people of northern North America and Greenland) on the ice and shouted pro-environment slogans in Inuktitut. “The place itself literally illustrates what’s going on,” she says – the ice is melting, threatening Inuit food supply and culture. “They are facing a problem with suicide, because it’s hard to adjust to that evolution,” she adds. “And I think this is exactly what we are doing; we are committing, in our civilisation, suicide and self-destruction.” Hayek carries her commitment to combating global warming into support for the BP Solar Neighbors Program, which aims to get solar photovoltaic panels into poor homes in Los Angeles – BP donates a complete system to a lowincome family every time a celebrity buys one for his or her own house. She has also worked as a volunteer at a sanctuary rehabilitating beached dolphins, helped present the US Live 8 concert in Philadelphia and has campaigned against smoking and domestic violence. Scriptwriter Robert Towne, who wrote the screenplay for her film Ask the Dust, says: “She’s a wise person. A very old soul... [like a] grandmother, though certainly not physically, of course.”

“With global warming threatening us all, driving a fuel-efficient car like a hybrid is something that everyone can do to protect our planet”

043

news analysis Oil and Gas

Logistical bottlenecks World oil transit chokepoints are critical to global energy security international energy markets depend on reliable transport routes. about 63% (56.5m barrels per day) of the world’s oil production in 2013 moved on maritime routes. world chokepoints for maritime transit of oil are a critical part of global energy security because of the high volume of petroleum and other liquids transported on these routes. Blocking a chokepoint, even temporarily, can lead to substantial increases in total energy costs and world energy prices, as disruptions to these routes affect oil prices and add thousands of miles of transit via alternative routes. Chokepoints also leave oil tankers vulnerable to theft from pirates, terrorist attacks, shipping accidents that can lead to disastrous oil spills, and political unrest in the form of wars or hostilities. The Strait of Hormuz, leading out of the Arabian Gulf, and the Strait of Malacca, linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, are the world’s most important strategic chokepoints measured by volume of oil transit, accounting for a combined 57% of all seaborne oil trade. In 2013, about 17m barrels per day travelled through the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Arabian Gulf

with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The Strait of Malacca is the shortest sea route between African and Arabian Gulf suppliers and Asian consumers. At the end of 2013, trade through Malacca was 15.2m barrels per day. The Suez Canal and SUMED Pipeline in Egypt are strategic routes for Arabian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe and North America. The Bab elMandeb Strait is a chokepoint between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, and a strategic link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Danish Straits and the Turkish Straits are key oil export routes to Europe for Russia and other Eurasian countries, including Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Over time, the relevance of the Panama Canal and the Trans-Panama Pipeline to global oil trade has diminished. Many modern tankers are too large to travel through the Panama Canal, and falling oil production from Alaska’s North Slope has decreased oil volumes going through the pipeline. However, the Panama Canal is undergoing an expansion, scheduled to be completed next year, that will allow transit of larger ships with greater volumes, including liquefied natural gas tankers.

045

‫قصة الغالف‬ ‫مالك علي حسن‬

‫“ تكاليف بناء الفلل الخضراء»المستدامة» يعادل تكاليف بناء‬ ‫الفلل التقليدية ولكن اكثر فائدة للمجتمع والبيئة ”‬ ‫تزيد نسبة التهوية الطبيعية لفللنا من ‪ %25‬إلى ‪ %33‬عن تلك‬ ‫المستخدمة في الفلل التقليدية‪ .‬ويبلغ توفير التبريد حوالي‬ ‫‪ 95‬كيلوواط ساعي‪/‬سنة‪ ،‬في حين أن توفير الكهرباء يصل‬ ‫إلى ‪ 38‬كيلوواط ساعي‪ /‬سنة‪.‬‬ ‫ويعمل زجاج النوافذ المزدوج والثالثي على تخفيض استهالك‬ ‫الطاقة بنسبة ‪ .%20‬وتعمل حنفيات تدفق الماء المنخفض على‬ ‫تقليل استهالك الماء بنسبة ‪ .%30‬وهذا التوفير معزز أيضًا‬ ‫من خالل معالجة وإعادة تدوير المياه الرمادية‪ .‬وتعمل أنظمة‬ ‫تسخين الماء بالطاقة الشمسية السلبية على توفير ‪ %90‬من‬ ‫احتياجات الماء الساخن‪.‬‬ ‫تصل مساحة فللنا إلى‪ 4757‬قدم مربع لخيار ثالث غرف نوم‪،‬‬ ‫في حين أنها تصل إلى ‪ 8446‬قدم مربع لخيار خمس غرف نوم‪.‬‬ ‫وتتضمن المساحة حديقة داخل مجمع الفيال‪ ،‬والتي تسمح‬ ‫للعائالت باالستمتاع بالخصوصية أثناء تواجدهم في الخارج‪،‬‬ ‫وهذا من شأنه أن يقلل من استخدام مكيفات الهواء‪.‬‬ ‫هل من الصعب للمهندسين المعماريين التكيف مع‬ ‫قوانين البناء المختلفة في جميع أنحاء البالد‪ ،‬على‬ ‫سبيل المثال هناك استدامة في أبوظبي وشروط‬ ‫المباني الخضراء في دبي فهل تعتقد أن إذا كان‬ ‫هناك قانون بناء موحد سيكون الوضع مناسب‬ ‫أكثر؟‬ ‫قد يتحقق لدولة األمارات في السنوات العشر القادمة تطوير‬ ‫نظام واحد او هجين من النظامين يعتمد على تحقيق المنافع‬ ‫المبدئية من قانون استدامة في أبوظبي و‪( LEED :‬الريادة في‬ ‫الطاقة والتصميم البيئي) في دبي‪.‬‬ ‫بالنسبة للوضع الراهن فأن دبي تعتبر مدينة عالمية من حيث‬ ‫التنافسية مع أغنى وأرقى المدن الغربية‪ .‬وتماشيًا مع هذا النمو‬ ‫فإن ‪ LEED‬سيكون الخيار المناسب لهذه المدينة‪.‬‬ ‫حيث قام ‪( USGBC‬المجلس األمريكي لألبنية الخضراء)‬ ‫بتطوير نظام عالمي للريادة في الطاقة والتصميم البيئي‪،‬‬ ‫والذي يمكن تطبيقه كعالمة إرشادية للتصنيف العالمي‬ ‫(نسخة ‪ LEED‬رقم ‪ 3,0‬لسنة ‪.)2009‬‬

‫وبخصوص إمارة أبوظبي‪ ،‬فإن استدامة هو نظام تصنيف رائع‪،‬‬ ‫حيث أنه يعنى بكل من المتطلبات االجتماعية‪-‬االقتصادية‬ ‫والمتطلبات الفنية‪-‬البيئية‪.‬‬ ‫أخبرنا عن المشاريع القادمة الخاصة بك؟‬ ‫نقوم حاليًا بإجراء مناقشات مع السلطات ونجري التفاوض مع‬ ‫بعض المستثمرين والمقاولين لتطوير مجمعات خضراء ميسورة‬ ‫التكلفة على أساس (شراكة القطاع العام والقطاع الخاص)‪.‬‬ ‫كما نطمح للتعاون مع (هيئة اإلمارات للمواصفات والمقاييس)‬ ‫للمساهمة في تطوير مبادرة اإلمارات لالقتصاد المستدام‪.‬‬ ‫وكما نعمل أيضًا أن نكون جهة مرخصة في دول مجلس‬ ‫التعاون الخليجي‪.‬‬ ‫وبصفتنا عضو في مجلس األبنية الخضراء اإلماراتي فإننا‬ ‫نتطلع لترويج الممارسات المستدامة من خالل مشاريعنا‪.‬‬ ‫بصفتكم شركة استشارات‪ ،‬أخبرونا عن المشاريع‬ ‫التي قمتم بها؟‬ ‫قد قمنا بعرض مجموعة متكاملة من الخدمات اإلستشارية‬ ‫لمجموعة ناشيونال جلف لالستثمار‪ ،‬والتي تتكون من ‪ 12‬شركة‬ ‫في دولة اإلمارات العربية المتحدة والسعودية وعمان‪ .‬وتشمل‬ ‫هذه الخدمات تصاميم معمارية ‪،‬إنشائية ‪،‬زراعية‪ ،‬خدمات‬ ‫هندسة مساحية‪ ،‬مجموعة من اإلستشارات المستدامة‪،‬‬ ‫استشارة تصميم داخلي ودراسات جدوى اقتصادية للمشاريع‪.‬‬ ‫تشمل مشاريعنا المنجزة ثالث مباني سكن عمال ومراكز‬ ‫رئيسية ومكتبين رئيسيين ومسح كميات دراسات جدوى‬ ‫اقتصادية وتصميم أراضي وحدائق وتصميم حدائق عامة في‬ ‫أبوظبي لصالح ناشيونال جلف لإلنشاءات‪ ،‬وورش هندسية‬ ‫لصالح ناشيونال جلف لصناعات الحديد والهندسة‪ ،‬وكراج‬ ‫للمعدات والمركبات الثقيلة‪ ،‬ودراسة جدوى اقتصادية‬ ‫وتصميم هندسي لمبنى مكون من أرضي ‪ 8 +‬طوابق لصالح‬ ‫ناشيونال جلف لالستثمار‪ ،‬ودراسة جدوى اقتصادية لتوسعة‬ ‫الكسارة لصالح ناشيونال جلف ستونز‪ ،‬ودراسة وتصميم كراج‬ ‫للشاحنات الثقيلة لصالح شركة ركن الشموخ (عمان)‪.‬‬

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‫قصة الغالف‬ ‫مالك علي حسن‬

‫“ كمهندسة وأمراة إماراتية فإنني فخورة بأن أكون‬ ‫األولى في عرض مفهوم الفلل الخضراء مسبقة‬ ‫التصميم للمستثمرين في الدولة ”‬ ‫هل باتت اإلمارات العربية المتحدة مؤخرا جادة فيما‬ ‫يخص المباني الخضراء؟‬ ‫تسعى السلطات في اإلمارات العربية المتحدة بمتابعة تطبيق‬ ‫خطط اإلقتصاد المستدام مع بذل الجهود الصادقة لرفع‬ ‫المعرفة البيئية في قطاع المباني‪ .‬وأنا على يقين بان هذه‬ ‫الجهود سوف تأتي بثمارها في األعوام القادمة‪.‬‬ ‫لقد بدأ القطاع الحكومي يتطور في ما يخص تطوير األستدامة‬ ‫ولكنني اعتقد باننا نحتاج إلى تطوير المسائل المتعلقة‬ ‫بالقطاع الخاص‪ .‬كما إننا في حاجة إلى تقديم المزيد من‬ ‫النساء إلى الخطوط اإلمامية ‪.‬‬ ‫كمهندسة وأمراة إماراتية فإنني فخورة بأن أكون األولى في‬ ‫عرض مفهوم الفلل الخضراء (المستدامة) مسبقة التصميم‬ ‫للمستثمرين في الدولة ‪ .‬لقد كان حلمنا الدائم في شركة‪3‬‬ ‫دايمنشن أن نكون جزءا من عجلة التطوير المستدام في‬ ‫الدولة واالقليم األوسع ‪ .‬أن هدفنا أن نخلق إطارا يرعى حياة‬ ‫اإلنسان محليا دون التأثيرعلى الموارد البيئة‪.‬‬ ‫قد احتضنت أبوظبي ألول مرة البناء المستدام في‬ ‫دولة اإلمارات العربية المتحدة من إنشاء «استدامة»‬ ‫في عام ‪ 2010‬فكيف كان التقدم في السنوات األربع‬ ‫الماضية؟‬ ‫في مدينة ابو ظبي وحدها فإن أكثر من ‪000‬ر‪ 10‬فيال قد تم تقييمها‬ ‫بينما ‪500‬ر‪ 7‬منها قد حصلت على تقييم لؤلؤتين على االقل ‪.‬‬ ‫ولدى إستدامة اآلن أكثر من ‪ 50‬مدرسة حصلت على تقييم الؤلؤه‬ ‫كما ان العديد من المباني العامة والخاصة يجري تقييمها األن ‪.‬‬ ‫واليوم تعتبر األمارة هي مقر ألكبر مجمع عالمي من المباني‬ ‫ذات األداء العالي المستدام في العالم‪.‬‬ ‫هل تصميم الفلل المصممة المطروحة من قبلك‬ ‫تتماثل مع قوانين استدامة؟‬ ‫تصاميم الفلل المستدامة المطروحة تتفوق على منافسيها‬ ‫من ناحية تقيدها باألنظمة وأسعارها التنافسية ‪ ،‬سواء في‬ ‫أبوظبي (استدامة) أو دبي‬ ‫مقارنة بالفلل التقليدية‪ ،‬ما هو حجم توفير الطاقة‬ ‫الذي يمكن أن يتحقق عن طريق الفلل الخضراء»‬ ‫المستدامة « مسبقة التصميم (من حيث تكييف‬ ‫حمولة الهواء و تسرب الهواء وتوفير المياه الخ)؟‬ ‫تتميز مشاريعنا بتوفير عالي للطاقة ناتج عن فعالية العزل‬ ‫الحرارية و المواد ذات المواصفات التي تعد صديقة للبيئة‬ ‫والمصنّعة من أهم شركات توفير الطاقة‪ ،‬مع االستخدام‬ ‫العملي للضوء الطبيعي والتهوية‪.‬‬ ‫كما تمكنت الفلل مسبقة التصميم من الوصول إلى‬ ‫مستويات عالية في توفير الطاقة من خالل تنفيذ التصميم‬ ‫الفعال الذي يمزج بين ضوء النهار الطبيعي والعزل الحراري مع‬ ‫المواد الكهروحرارية‪.‬‬

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‫‪Cover Story‬‬ ‫‪Malak Ali Hassan‬‬

‫قصة الغالف‬ ‫مالك علي حسن‬

‫الطموحات العالية‬

‫مالك علي حسن – الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة ‪ 3‬دايمنشن للخدمات الهندسية ‪-‬‬ ‫تمثل جزءا من عجلة التطوير المتين في اإلمارات العربية المتحدة‬ ‫المصممة اإلماراتية المهندسة مالك علي حسن التي‬ ‫يبلغ عمرها اربع وثالثون عاما تعتبر من النساء العربيات‬ ‫الناشطات في مجال التطوير المستدام‪ .‬ومن ضمن‬ ‫أهدافها تأسيس منظمة متخصصة باألستدامة تتألف‬ ‫من المصممات‪ ،‬المخططات ‪ ،‬والمهندسات المعماريات‬ ‫لإلهتمام بالمباني الصديقة للبيئة في دولة اإلمارات‬ ‫العربية المتحدة‪.‬‬ ‫وحيث أن المهندسة مالك حسن – التي حصلت على الترتيب‬ ‫الخامس والثمانون وفقا لمجلة فوربس – هي الرئيس‬ ‫التنفيذي لشركة ‪ 3‬دايمنشن التي تقوم باإلستشارات‬ ‫المعمارية والهندسية والتي قامت بطرح “ مفهوم الفلل‬ ‫الخضراء مسبقة التصميم “ ذات الفاعلية في مجال الطاقة‬ ‫في وقت مسبق من هذا العام ‪.‬‬ ‫التصاميم الخضراء (المستدامة) المصممة من قبل‬ ‫المهندسة مالك حسن تقوم باستخدام مواد البناء العازلة‬ ‫والمظالت الذكية والحدائق الي يتم ريها بالمياه التي تتم‬ ‫معالجتها ‪ .‬وهذه الشركة تمنح المشترين أحدى الخيارين ‪:‬‬ ‫شراء التصاميم ومن ثم بناء منازلهم التي تكون صديقة‬ ‫للبيئة ‪ ،‬أو أخذ خيار تسليم المفتاح والسماح للشركة ‪3‬‬ ‫دايمنشن بتشيد المنزل بالكامل بما في ذلك التصميم‬ ‫الداخلي وتخطيط المساحات‪ .‬ويحتاج بناء الفيال إلى مدة‬ ‫تقارب الثمانية أشهر‪.‬‬ ‫من خالل لقاء خاص من قبل (بي قرين) شاركت المهندسة‬ ‫مالك حسن رؤية شركتها التي تعتبر جزءا من عجلة التطوير‬ ‫المستدام في اإلمارات العربية المتحدة واألقليم األوسع‪.‬‬

‫‪3‬دايمنشن كشفت عن مفهوم الفلل الخضراء‬ ‫مسبقة التصميم في أوائل هذا العام‪ .‬كيف سارت‬ ‫األمور منذ ذلك الوقت ؟‬ ‫لقد صممنا الفلل الخضراء (المستدامة) مسبقة التصميم بناءا‬ ‫على هدفنا لتعزيز اإلستخدام األمثل للمياه ولتقليل إستهالك‬ ‫الطاقة مع الحرص على إستخدام مواد بناء مستدامة فقط‬ ‫بحيث تكون ذات تأثير قليل على البيئة‪ .‬إن الفلل الخضراء‬ ‫(المستدامة) لدينا يمكن الزراعة فيها كما إنها صديقة للبيئة‬ ‫وقابلة للتطبيق اإلقتصادي للمجتمع ‪.‬‬ ‫بعض المفاهيم لدينا تخص العائالت اإلماراتية بشكل خاص‬ ‫حيث يمكن تطويرها من قبل الحكومة في اإلمارات العربية‬ ‫المتحدة والشركات الخاصة واألفراد ‪ .‬وقد تضمنت أعمالنا‬ ‫مشاريع أخرى تهدف الى توفير السكن بأسعار معقولة‬ ‫لمحدودي الدخل واألرامل والمطلقات‪ .‬وعالوة على ذلك فقد‬ ‫صممنا مفهوم لمساندة الالجئين من الدول التي مزقتها‬ ‫الحروب والمناطق التي تأثرت بالكوارث الطبيعية‪.‬‬ ‫تعبير الفلل مسبقة التصميم ال يشير إلى النوع الجامد من‬ ‫المنازل ‪.‬بل إنه يعكس جمالية السكن ويحدد المعايير في‬ ‫القدرة على التكيف واالستدامة‪.‬‬ ‫وتسعى شركتنا من خالل مسوؤليتها أن تزيد من الوعي‬ ‫العام في المجتمع‪ ،‬ترسيخ الشفافية في التعامل مع‬ ‫العميل‪ ،‬باألضافة لنشر مفاهيم أهمية البناء المستدام‬ ‫لألسرة األماراتية من خالل ايضاح كيفية أن تكاليف بناء الفلل‬ ‫الخضراء»المستدامة» يعادل تكاليف بناء الفلل التقليدية‬ ‫ولكن اكثر فائدة للمجتمع والبيئة‪.‬‬

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‫‪THE BUSINESS OF SUSTAINABILITY‬‬ ‫‪Issue 53 | january 2015‬‬

‫الطموحات العالية‬

‫مالك علي حسن – الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة‬ ‫‪ 3‬دايمنشن للخدمات الهندسية ‪ -‬تمثل جزءا من‬ ‫عجلة التطوير المتين في اإلمارات العربية المتحدة‬