The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (Gord) unveiled Wednesday its award-winning hybrid cooling system, showcasing a technology that offers a 50% improvement in energy efficiency compared to conventional systems.
Held at Gord’s TechnoHub research centre at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), the first public demonstration of Synergia 9n1 was witnessed by more than 300 attendees (physically and remotely), including researchers, government officials, engineers, and sustainability experts, among others.
With funding from the Qatar National Research Fund, the innovative and ultra-efficient system was developed by Gord’s founding chairman Dr Yousef Alhorr and his team at the Gord Institute.
“Look at the performance of the Synergia9n1, the more challenging condition the better the performance,” he said during his presentation, noting that it has been tested year-round, especially during the hottest and humid summer period.
Synergia9n1 has received widespread international acclaim, including UK Patent Office approval, World Intellectual Property Organisation registration, the Association of Energy Engineers’ 2022 Energy Innovation of the Year award (in the US), and the League of Arab States’ 2024 Best Patent in Energy Efficiency Award.
Synergia9n1 is designed to cool and ventilate both open and indoor spaces while reducing its impact on the environment. It can work in one, two, or three different modes depending on the weather and the desired temperature for the space being cooled.
“Synergia 9n1 is our commitment to combating climate change through actionable solutions tailoured for harsh hot and humid climate encountered in many geographic locations across the world,” Alhorr said.
“By achieving up to 50% energy savings, Synergia not only reduces our carbon footprint but also enables the cooling of outdoor areas, allowing communities to embrace and enjoy their natural surroundings."
Gord, having completed the locally-manufactured commercial prototype of Synergia 9n1 cooling solution, is actively seeking partners for commercialisation.
“For end-users, now we are looking for investors to invest either to manufacture here in Qatar or to align with AC existing brands so that we can license them this technology, to use it as one extra line of their products. Two options here, we are looking for investors and collaborators,” Alhorr told reporters on the sidelines of the event,” Alhorr said.
Synergia9n1’s broad applicability spans diverse settings, from open-air sports and entertainment venues to centrally air-conditioned buildings needing fresh air, and from hospitals and clean rooms to temporary, off-grid facilities, greenhouses, and even barns.
“For target users, there are so many applications for it, it can be big malls, parks, souqs, greenhouses, all those applications are targeted,” Alhorr added.
© Gulf Times Newspaper 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Source: Joey Aguilar, Gulf Times
Since partnering in late 2023, KPMG in Qatar employees have collected nearly 9,000 plastic bottles and aluminum cans, saving over 1,300 kg of CO2 emissions. Each week, KPMG employees collect on average around 300 bottles and cans, and the numbers are growing. This partnership showcases the enthusiasm and commitment of KPMG employees towards sustainable practices and underscores the success of Sparklo’s innovative recycling solutions.
KPMG in Qatar and Sparklo: Pioneering Workplace Sustainability
KPMG in Qatar partnered with Sparklo, a global leader in clean technology, to bolster their corporate sustainability efforts, in late 2023. The introduction of Sparklomat, an advanced Reverse Vending Machine (RVM), to KPMG's Doha office marks a significant step in this journey. This initiative highlights KPMG's dedication to environmental stewardship and commitment to fostering a sustainable workplace.
The Sparklomat offers KPMG employees and visitors a simple and engaging way to recycle, integrating seamlessly with the Sparklo mobile app to provide instant rewards for eco-friendly actions. This innovative recycling solution aims to shift workplace culture towards greater environmental awareness and responsibility.
“At KPMG in Qatar, we believe that sustainability is essential to our operations and our community. Our partnership with Sparklo exemplifies our commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation. By embracing the Sparklomat technology, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also inspiring our employees to take meaningful steps towards a more sustainable future. Together, we are driving positive change and setting a benchmark for corporate responsibility in Qatar.” Ahmed Abu Sharkh, Country Senior Partner, KPMG in Qatar.
“Our partnership with Sparklo has been instrumental in promoting sustainable practices within our workplace. The Sparklomat has made recycling an engaging and rewarding experience for our employees, aligning with our commitment to environmental responsibility. By integrating innovative solutions like the Sparklomat, we are not only enhancing our sustainability efforts but also inspiring others to adopt eco-friendly practices. This initiative represents a significant step towards a greener future, and together, we are making a meaningful impact and setting a benchmark for corporate sustainability.” Huda Ibrahim, Head of Marketing and Communication, KPMG in Qatar
Fostering Environmental Responsibility
The collaboration between Sparklo and KPMG in Qatar enables employees to experience the benefits of the Sparklomat firsthand, positioning them to promote this innovative product to clients. By integrating the Sparklomat into their daily routines, KPMG and Sparklo are encouraging a shift towards greater environmental responsibility within the workplace.
Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo, stated, "Sparklo's partnership with KPMG in Qatar allows us to drive our vision in the corporate field. This collaboration demonstrates to KPMG employees the effectiveness of our product, enabling them to advocate for effective sustainable practices within the corporate sector. Our vision is simple yet powerful: if you motivate people to recycle, they will start doing it and gradually adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Together, we are creating a culture of environmental responsibility and spearheading a sustainability movement in Qatar."
-Ends-
About Sparklo:
Sparklo is a global cleantech company dedicated to revolutionizing the recycling industry and encouraging sustainable practices worldwide. Through its innovative reverse vending machines (RVMs) known as Sparklomats, the company motivates users to recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans by offering engaging rewards. Sparklo's cutting-edge software and hardware solutions utilize AI and machine learning to optimize recycling processes, making it fun and easy for individuals to contribute to a sustainable lifestyle.
About KPMG:
KPMG is a global organization of independent professional services firms providing audit, tax, and advisory services. It operates in 145 countries and territories and has more than 226,882 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee.
KPMG in Qatar is part of a network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International. With over 226,882 professionals, led by over 10,908 partners worldwide, KPMG’s network allows it to bring together subject matter experts from around the globe to form international teams with deep insights to tackle the most complex challenges.
KPMG has had a presence in Qatar for over 40 years. It opened for business here in 1978 and is now one of the largest and most established professional services firms in the country. Its 350+ professionals are led by 10 Qatar-based partners. KPMG in Qatar recruits the best and brightest from around the world and currently employs over 30 different nationalities. It works with some of Qatar’s largest public and private sector organizations across most of the country’s core industries. This provides deep insight into the challenges and opportunities that its clients experience and a comprehensive understanding of how they can be assisted to respond to these issues.
Minister of Municipality HE Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah inaugurated today the first phase of the Smart Cities Solutions Project, which includes the implementation of a smart waste management system, a vehicle management and tracking system, task distribution, and a central operations command platform within the Ministry of Municipality's Smart Cities Solutions Project.
This aligns with the Ministry's strategy for improving quality of life, well-being, and urban humanization, as well as enhancing services and digital transformation as part of the Ministry of Municipality's 2024-2030 strategy.
This system aims to monitor the movement and compliance of vehicles and their drivers with designated routes or geographic areas. It provides a complete historical record of each vehicle's movement, performance, and technical data during its operation. It also manages and monitors scheduled and emergency maintenance for vehicles, linking it to the mechanical equipment management store.
The system features the ability to monitor drivers and evaluate their performance, reassess vehicle movement routes and redistribute them geographically to provide shorter routes, thus saving time, consumption, and cost. It assigns and monitors tasks given to vehicles and drivers, recording their trips in real-time and maintaining a complete historical record of routes for verification and auditing purposes.
The first phase of smart waste management and vehicle tracking and task distribution began in Al Wakrah Municipality and will be expanded to all municipalities in subsequent phases.
This project is considered the largest of its kind to be implemented in a city in the Middle East, and is expected to significantly enhance public health conditions by effectively managing waste with automatically generated schedules and routes for waste container collection, reducing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and CO2 emissions from vehicles, and significantly cutting waste collection costs through efficient monitoring of the entire waste management process using an advanced wireless tracking system.
Within the framework of this project, a total of 1,039 tracking devices have been installed for all government vehicle and equipment fleets, including sewage tanks equipped with specialized sensors to measure fluid levels.
The smart waste management system oversees all waste collection operations and components in Al Wakrah City, including 7,571 waste containers and 39 waste transport vehicles.
Specialized electronic sensors have been installed on the containers and waste transport vehicles to monitor and send data through a private information network (Internet of Things platform) to a central operations command platform. This platform monitors the operations and movements of all components within a smart system based on innovative AI and big data analysis technologies.
The container sensors connected to the IoT network read and monitor various data such as container fill level, temperature, geographical stability, and balance. Once data is collected, the system uses intelligent optimization algorithms to identify full containers and automatically distribute them into collection plans based on their size and determine the shortest collection and transport route for each vehicle based on actual and historical data.
As this process is automated from start to finish, it requires no human intervention, providing an advanced solution to reduce vehicle trips, resulting in less distance traveled, reduced fuel consumption, and more economical vehicle use leading to lower maintenance costs, road wear and tear, road maintenance, and traffic congestion during peak hours.
The vehicle management and tracking system oversees the Ministry's vehicle fleet, covering over 1,000 vehicles in its first phase, including waste transport vehicles, compactors, and tanks.
Source: The Peninsula Newspaper, The Peninsula
Qatar Rail reiterated its steadfast commitment to advancing eco-friendly transportation solutions on Earth Day 2024, marked on April 22, highlighting its dedication to preserving the environment.
“On Earth Day 2024, Qatar Rail continues its efforts to raise awareness and promote the use of sustainable transportation solutions such as Doha Metro and Lusail Tram. It plays a key role in environmental preservation, mitigating the adverse effects of transportation and bolstering Qatar’s journey towards a sustainable future,” Qatar Rail said on its social media pages.
Aimed at promoting eco-friendly mobility, Qatar Rail recently announced its participation as a gold sponsor in the upcoming Autonomous e-Mobility (AEMOB) Forum, scheduled from April 30 to May 2 at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Hosted by the Ministry of Transport, this forum will bring together more than 500 industry experts, policymakers, and technology innovators from more than 20 countries.
Qatar Rail also underlined its commitment to supporting an integrated and sustainable public transportation system in Qatar through partnerships with various stakeholders.
The recent inauguration of Lusail’s Pink Line and the completion of all Orange Line stations marked significant milestones for Qatar Rail. Once the full tram network becomes operational, Qatar Rail said it is poised to seamlessly connect government offices, residential towers, leisure and sports facilities, marinas, and other major attractions across Lusail City.
The Lusail Tram fleet comprises 28 ‘Citadis X05’ trains equipped with ground power supply technology, manufactured by Alstom in France. Each tram train features 64 seats and a comfortable capacity of 209 passengers across Standard and Family Class compartments. With features such as travel information screens and USB ports, the trams promise a modern and convenient commuting experience.
Compared with the metro system, each tram operates with a driver and cruises at a maximum speed of approximately 60km/h.
Recognised for their environmental friendliness, the trams use LED lighting and electric brake systems.
Qatar Rail anticipates that these developments will encourage the public, including visitors to the country, to opt for safe, efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation options during their commutes.
During the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holidays, Qatar Rail’s network facilitated seamless transport for a large number of commuters, taking them to various destinations across Doha, including key mosques.
In addition to its operational achievements, it is learnt that Qatar Rail recently received the prestigious five-star recognition for overall organisational excellence from the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).
This accolade, achieved on the first assessment under the new and improved EFQM model, reflects Qatar Rail’s unwavering dedication to excellence and its relentless pursuit of quality and efficiency in operations.
Source: Gulf Times
Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre (QSRTC), in collaboration with Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), Qatar University (QU) and the Ministry of Municipality (MoM), celebrated the conclusion of a ground-breaking research project supported by QNRF to repurpose industrial waste generated at the Pearl gas-to-liquids plant (Pearl GTL) in Ras Laffan.
The multi-year research project has achieved a breakthrough in converting biosludge, an organic-rich by-product of the Pearl GTL process, into a valuable soil enhancer for non-edible agricultural crops in Qatar. Historically consigned to landfills, this biosludge can now serve a sustainable purpose, marking a significant milestone in environmental stewardship.
Foteini Nikolopoulou, vice-president HSSE Qatar and Pearl GTL Operations - Shell, highlighted the project’s importance, stating: “The biosludge generated at Pearl GTL is rich in organic matter. By diverting it from landfills and exploring its potential as a soil enhancer, the project is making a positive contribution to our sustainability goals in Qatar. This collaboration has been successfully applied by working together with our key stakeholders, who are experts in the field.”
Hamad Al Shemari, director of the Agricultural Research Department at the Ministry of Municipality, emphasised Qatar’s commitment to advancing agricultural research aimed at repurposing waste.
Highlighting Qatar’s global leadership in LNG production, he also stressed the nation’s endeavour to explore sustainable methods for utilising waste from its industrial sector, making a substantial contribution to the preservation of the local environment.
Shemari expressed pleasure in collaborating with esteemed partners on this impactful project.
The biosludge used in this study originates from industrial process water. Scientists ensure its safety for non-edible agricultural use by eliminating pathogens commonly found in municipal biosludge.
A pivotal aspect of the project involves assessing the viability of using biosludge for cultivating cash crops like cotton. This is particularly significant for Qatar, given its infertile land and its rank as the world’s second-largest consumer of fertiliser per hectare of agricultural land.
Dr Sabah Solim, Research Programme Lead at Shell, emphasised the long-term goal of this type of work.
“As we celebrate the successful conclusion of this transformative project, Qatar Shell, alongside its partners, remains dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainable practices. This collaborative endeavour exemplifies a commitment to driving positive change and aligns with Qatar’s vision for a more sustainable future,” Dr Solim said.
Source: Qatar Tribune
Place Vendôme, a mixed-use mall development located in the city of Lusail in Qatar, is set to revolutionise waste management by implementing a pneumatic waste collection system (PWCS). The project, covering a total build-up area of 1,150,000 m², has been entrusted to United Developers under the guidance of local investors who are experts in real estate, retail, construction, and contracting.
The multifunctional structure, situated 11 km from the centre of Doha, comprises three five-star hotels, serviced apartments, 560 different retail outlets, and an open plaza surrounded by cafes and restaurants, offering a view of a canal with dancing fountain shows. The PWCS, designed to serve retail, leisure, and entertainment areas, eliminates the need for manual waste transportation at the mall, improving user well-being.
The PWCS uses a network of underground pipes to transport waste directly from the retail outlets and hotels to a central waste collection point. This makes the ambience more spacious, with hallways, elevators, and corridors free of garbage bins and waste vehicles. The system also reduces the manual labour required for waste collection and eliminates the need for large garbage trucks to navigate busy corridors. The PWCS is designed to be environmentally friendly, reducing carbon emissions by up to 90% by eliminating the need for heavy vehicles and plastic waste associated with traditional garbage bags.
Envac’s cutting-edge technology is a bold statement of the mall’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. By improving the experience for visitors and tenants, the PWCS elevates the already luxurious atmosphere of Place Vendôme to new heights. Its valuable addition cements the mall’s position as a premier destination for those seeking the very best.
The plan is to use Envac’s Automation Platform to boost resource recovery rates by separating general and recyclable waste using a two-fraction system. Waste will be directed to separate inlets and stored temporarily until a collection cycle is triggered. Envac’s system eliminates the need for waste collection trucks to enter the development and adapts to waste volume during peak times.
“We want to express our sincere appreciation for the excellent partnership with Envac in the Lusail Project over the past year. Place Vendôme Qatar is committed to its guests and tenants, especially during significant events, and the Envac team has consistently delivered the PWCS works with positivity and rapid responsiveness. Envac actively operated the PWCS plant from the Lusail Command and Control Centre during the successful hosting of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup last year. We want to thank Envac for their ongoing commitment to providing Place Vendôme’s PWCS projects with diligent and competent service. We look forward to continuing this important cooperation in the future.” – Mohamed Hamdi, Head of Operations, United Developers, Qatar
“Incorporating Envac’s technology in Place Vendôme is a testament to the mall’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The system’s implementation will improve user well-being and ambience, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance resource recovery rates. United Developers and the owners of Place Vendôme are committed to establishing an innovative and sustainable city aligned with Lusail’s broader vision. We are grateful for this fruitful partnership.” – James Fullerton, Managing Director, Envac Middle East
Region Press Contact:
James Fullerton
Mobile: +971 506 001 995
Office: +971 458 471 11
Email: james.fullerton@envac.ae
QIIB has published its inaugural ‘Sustainable Finance Framework’, which aims to finance projects that contribute to positive environmental and social benefits.
QIIB can leverage on the framework to issue green, social or sustainability-labelled sukuk and other financing products that are aligned with the International Capital Market Association (ICMA)’s Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, and Sustainability Bond Guidelines, as well as the Green Loan Principles and Social Loan principles, published by the Loan Market Association (LMA), the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA) and the Loan Syndications & Trading Association (LSTA).
The framework includes eligible green project categories related to renewable energy, clean transportation, energy efficiency, green buildings, pollution prevention and control, environmentally sustainable management of living natural resources and land use, sustainable water and wastewater management; and eligible social project categories related to employment generation, and programmes designed to prevent and/or alleviate, unemployment stemming from socio-economic crises, access to essential services, affordable basic infrastructure.
QIIB has obtained a second party opinion (SPO) from Sustainable Fitch, which evaluated the framework as being aligned with the relevant sustainable finance market principles.
The framework is aligned with QIIB’s ESG strategic dimensions, which has been developed in alignment with the Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030, across environmental, social, governance and economic pillars. A core element of QIIB’s contribution to QNV 2030 includes financing of SMEs to build a vibrant economy through promoting diversification and private sector development.
Hossam Khattab, CFO and SFWG committee member, said, “As a pioneering financial institution committed to responsible and sustainable banking practices, we are thrilled to unveil our new Sustainable Finance Framework for our sukuk programme. “This framework underscores our dedication to aligning our operations with global sustainability goals while contributing to Qatar's economic development, which consider a significant stride towards fostering a sustainable future in line with QNV 2030”.
In setting up its inaugural Sustainable Finance Framework, QIIB has received support from Standard Chartered Bank as sole sustainability structuring bank.
Source: Gulf Times
Doha Festival City, Qatar's ultimate destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, has received two KAHRAMAA awards for energy conservation and sustainable transportation, alongside recognition from Al Daayen Municipality for its overall environmental sustainability efforts, further highlighting the mall’s commitment to eco-friendly practices.
At the Tarsheed Energy Efficiency Forum, organized by the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), Doha Festival City was honored with the Tarsheed Conserving Building Competition Award, recognizing its sustainable building practices and significant efforts in energy conservation. Additionally, the mall received the Tarsheed Partner in EV Charging Innovation Award, highlighting its contributions to establishing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure - allocating EV charging stations at 46 parking bays for 2023 and will grow to 58 parking bays by Q1 of 2024.
The accolades continued as Doha Festival City was also recognized at the "Together Towards Sustainability" event hosted by the Al Daayen Municipality. Held at the Conference Center, Expo Doha, Cultural Area, Bidda Park, this event celebrated the contributions of various organizations to sustainability, with Doha Festival City standing out for its exemplary commitment and initiatives in promoting environmental sustainability.
Robert Hall, General Manager of Doha Festival City, expressed his gratitude for these recognitions. "These awards are a testament to our dedication to sustainability and innovation. Being acknowledged by esteemed organizations like KAHRAMAA and the Al Daayen Municipality is an honor and motivates us to continue our efforts towards a sustainable future, in line with Qatar's vision for environmental stewardship," he said.
Recently, Doha Festival City has been honored as the 2023 Qatar Tourism winner for 'Outstanding Service Excellence - Shopping Mall' and 'Outstanding Smart Solutions - Innovative Solutions in Sustainability,' in recognition of its exceptional sustainability efforts.
The mall has demonstrated environmental leadership, notably reducing wet waste through Food Digester Machines and achieving a 30% energy saving. Additionally, Doha Festival City boasts a GSAS Design & Build 3-star certification, underscoring its proactive approach to sustainable operations. These measures showcase the mall's dedication to sustainable practices, aligning with Qatar's vision for a greener future.
AI-driven global cleantech company Sparklo has announced installing 1,000 reverse vending machines (RVMs) – known as Sparklomats – in popular public areas throughout the MENA, leading a sustainability wave in the region.
The company said its innovative solutions have inspired users to place 1 bottle every 3 seconds and 30,000 plastic bottles and aluminum cans daily in MENA.
The company said Sparklomats have already been installed in parts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE as well as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and thousands of such machines will be installed in more cities and countries in the next few years.
Sparklo’s reward app incentivises recycling
In the UAE, Sparklo said its reward app already hit the 6thspot on the top 10 most popular lifestyle apps.
The company’s RVMs allow people to easily recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Users also receive rewards in the mobile app whenever they place an empty bottle or a can, which can be exchanged for discount vouchers for food, delivery services and other special offers.
“Our goal is to collect all the plastic bottles and recyclables in the MENA region,” said Maxim Kaplevich, owner and CEO of Sparklo.
Kaplevich said the company aims to revolutionise recycling and integrate it into the fabric of society’s lifestyle by incorporating elements of education and entertainment.
Sustainability wave in the MENA
The company said its commitment to sustainability and innovation has already garnered support from key industry leaders in the MENA region, enabling it to install its RVMs at retail chains, shopping centers, gas stations, and hotels.
The company began operating in the MENA region in the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’ with its game-changing software and hardware solutions for waste management on a worldwide scale. With plans to tackle the ever-pressing challenges of plastic and aluminum waste head-on, the company is creating groundbreaking global infrastructure and paving the way for a sustainable and eco-friendly future in the Middle East.
The company has also developed an AI-powered software system for the Sparklomats which utilises machine learning algorithms to optimise the recycling process.
By leveraging artificial intelligence, the reverse vending machine can accurately identify and sort recyclables, improving efficiency and reducing contamination. This technology enables the maximisation of the recycling potential of each item.
Globally, with the help of the machine, the company has collected 35 million recyclables, 26 million plastic bottles and 8.6 million aluminum cans, making a significant positive impact on the environment.
According to recent data, 4 billion plastic bottles are consumed annually in the UAE and about 40 percent of all plastic in the country is single-use.
Source: Arabian Business
“We look forward to holding the Sustainable Development Goals Summit next September, and we see it as a unique and important milestone in our collective efforts,” Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, Qatar’s permanent representative to the UN, said during the Economic and Social Council Forum on Financing for Development Follow-up 2023.
She highlighted Qatar’s continued efforts to offer help and conduct development initiatives to benefit millions of people worldwide during the meeting, Qatar News Agency reported on Sunday.
Qatar contributed more than $551 million for development projects and humanitarian aid in 2021, she added, while it was reiterated that in implementation of the goals of sustainable development, partnership for development was a top priority.
Sheikha Alya hailed the strategic partnership between Qatar and the UN, which culminated in the opening of the UN House in Doha, in March.
She went on to say that Qatar was honored to host the fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries that month, during which Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani offered a financial contribution of $60 million.
Qatar is the founder of the UNDP Accelerator Lab Network, into which it has invested $30 million.
Sheikha Alya added that Qatar has signed more than 50 bilateral agreements to encourage investment in developing countries, with the goal of revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development through supplying financial resources to developing countries through remittances for expatriate workers.
Source: Arab News
