Three pioneering fire trucks featuring Volvo Penta electric drivelines are on their way to fire departments in Berlin, Amsterdam and Dubai to begin real-world customer testing.
Volvo Penta has developed an electric driveline for leading fire service vehicle manufacturer Rosenbauer’s pioneering fire truck, named “Revolutionary Technology” (RT). The truck – which features groundbreaking drive technology, vehicle architecture, operability and connectivity – was officially launched at an event in Austria. The RTs will now be sent to fire departments in Berlin, Amsterdam and Dubai to begin real-world customer testing.
Revolutionizing the fire service industry
By walking away from conventional commercial vehicle concepts and developing an electric solution for the truck’s driveline, Volvo Penta and its customer Rosenbauer have introduced a completely new vehicle architecture which is set to transform the fire service industry. With its electric driveline, the fire truck boasts excellent ergonomics, functionality, and safety, as well as high loading volumes, compact dimensions and one-of-a-kind agility. The Volvo Penta electric driveline also brings benefits such as zero exhaust emissions and significantly reduced noise levels.
“We are extremely proud to collaborate with our longstanding customer Rosenbauer and help create the most revolutionary and progressive vehicle in the fire service industry,” says Paul Jansson, Chief Project Manager at Volvo Penta. “Our two teams worked closely together during the development process and the result is an industry-leading truck that will help fire departments around the world improve safety and functionality, as well as reduce emissions and fuel costs.”
Volvo Penta's electric driveline uses proven Volvo Group technology which has been tailored to meet the performance requirements of a fire service application.
The fire truck of the future
Firefighters responding to a call need a vehicle capable of high speed, rapid acceleration, hard braking and maneuverability. The RT’s electric driveline, paired with independent suspension and a hydropneumatic chassis, delivers a high standard of safety and great driving performance.
The RT fire truck features two electric motors that have the potential to provide a total output of up to 360 kW (490 HP) and impart a propulsion and an acceleration to the RT only comparable to airport rescue and fire-fighting vehicles with 1,000 HP engines. The truck’s energy storage system allows for an electricity-powered journey with ample time for operation at the rescue location. In addition, there is a backup diesel engine on board, providing sufficient energy supply should the journey or operation take longer.
Proven Volvo technology
As part of the Volvo Group, Volvo Penta leveraged proven technology and competence from Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses, and adapted it to meet the performance requirements of a fire service application. The result is a proven Volvo Group technological solution that is tailored to meet Rosenbauer’s specific needs.
“The RT is in a different league to modern standard firefighting vehicles in terms of its operational tactical benefits, loading options and firefighting equipment,” says Dieter Siegel, CEO at Rosenbauer International. “Volvo Penta already supplied us with diesel engines for our conventional fire trucks. After many years of successful collaboration – coupled with the fact that they are part of the Volvo Group which is leading the way when it comes to electromobility and electric trucks – they were the ideal partner for the RT project. We’ve worked together closely to design a tailored solution, using proven Volvo technology, that enables our electric fire truck to do its job in a safer, more effective and more sustainable way than a conventional vehicle.”
Three RTs are on their way to fire departments in Berlin, Amsterdam and Dubai to begin real-world customer testing.
The future is electric
Volvo Penta takes a full system, modular approach to electromobility. “We can create a flexible, bespoke electric driveline solution for a specific vehicle and application,” explains Paul. “We are very experienced in our different segments, so by using that knowledge and combining it with the Volvo Group’s electromobility experience, we can build the best modular platform for our customer’s applications. With that as a base, we can optimize the design and adapt the complete electric driveline system for a specific vehicle, considering the exact application, usage, climate and environment it will operate in. This is what we did for Rosenbauer and we’re doing it in other development projects too, such as our fully electric terminal tractor.”
“We’re proud to be pioneering electric drivelines together with Rosenbauer on this revolutionary project,” concludes Heléne Mellquist, President of Volvo Penta. “We are working with our customers on sustainable power solutions for tomorrow so we can help them future-proof their businesses. We want to open the door to new, more efficient possibilities that are also cleaner and quieter – just like the electric driveline enabled Rosenbauer to do. Our aim is to become the world leader in sustainable power solutions, this project demonstrates an important step in our journey.”
DUBAI, 6th October, 2020 (WAM) -- The Sustainable City, the first fully operational environment-friendly community in the Middle East by Diamond Developers, has launched a community-wide biodiversity assessment programme. It has deployed monitoring equipment to measure the impact of urban ecology on biodiversity and ecosystem health.
The Sustainable City is the region’s first community to monitor and measure the health of its ecosystem, in association with Emirates Nature-WWF, by installing advanced monitoring equipment, like ultrasound recorders for bats and audio recorders for birds; to monitor the diversity of local species.
Faris Saeed, CEO of Diamond Developers, the sustainable community developer in the UAE, said, "We endeavour to provide living spaces where we can coexist along with nature, while providing nature with a better chance to flourish and thrive. We have channelled our efforts to help reduce carbon emissions in our cities, and research has always been a key part of what we do, that is why we are constantly collecting and analysing data, and testing new technologies through SEE Institute, our knowledge and research arm.
"This initiative aims to provide deeper understanding of local species and the positive impact they have on the environment," he noted.
To engage its residents, The Sustainable City is using two cloud-based platforms called iNaturalist and eBird where residents can upload images of different species like birds and plants sighted in their neighbourhood and other green spaces within the community. The sightings uploaded by residents are recorded, classified and verified by Emirates Nature-WWF staff as well as a global community of scientists and naturalists.
This opportunity will encourage residents to discover, learn, and document biodiversity in the spaces they live in, while helping the developer and community managers understand the impact communities have on the environment, and set plans to promote biodiversity and support a healthy ecosystem.
To support the mission of Diamond Developers, the company’s research and education hub, SEE Institute, will publish the biodiversity findings and develop guidelines to support the design of future cities and communities in the region. The surveys will provide an inventory of species present in The Sustainable City, and bio-indicators that can be monitored on the long term, to establish a sound baseline that will guide similar initiatives in the urban environment.
From the onset, The Sustainable City embraced an urban design which promotes biodiversity and encourages outdoor activities. The city has integrated local species in its landscapes and created a suitable natural environment for bees, bats, butterflies, and birds, while the urban farm and green spine provide ample natural spaces for outdoor fun and educational activities.
Emirates RDF, a partnership between water treatment expert Besix, Finnish group Griffin Refineries and Ajman-based Tech Group Eco, has announced that is set to start production of alternative fuel at the company’s facility in Umm Al Quwain.
In a statement, it explained that the household waste collected will be converted into an alternative energy source called Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), which will be used as a fuel in cement factories instead of coal. This is part of Emirates RDF’s strategy to generate green energy, it said.
Once operational from October 1, Emirates RDF, the first RDF facility in the region, will be able to handle over 1,000 tonnes of waste from the emirates of Ajman and Umm Al Quwain.
A delegation drawn from the municipality of Ajman and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment visited the Emirates RDF plant ahead of its start of operations early next month.
The head of the Ajman Municipality, together with the undersecretary toured the facility ahead of the launch of its operation.
Abdulrahman Al Nuaimi – Director General of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, Saif Al Shara – Assistant Under-Secretary of Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), Yousif Alahmed Al Rayssi – Director, Municipal Affairs Department at MOCCAE, Elias Sfeir – Northern Emirates General Manager, Besix Middle East, Yousef Sultan Al Ajmani, Executive Manager, Emirates RDF, and other officials took part in the inspection visit.
“Emirates RDF is delighted that after intensive cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the President’s Initiatives Committee (Ministry of Presidential Affairs), the RDF facility is ready for the production of high-quality alternative fuel for factories in the region, said Nicolaas de Koning, general manager, Emirates RDF.
“The Emirates RDF plant will have enhanced capacity that will enable us to divert over 80 percent of household waste from the landfill. This will be a huge boost to our environment conservation efforts,” he added.
Abu Dhabi Ports has launched the Smart Container Initiative that will house its digital solutions in a resilient, safe and optimised eco-friendly mobile environment as part of its ongoing digital transformation drive.
Powered by clean energy, the solar-panelled steel and aluminium smart container uses environmentally friendly technologies such as in-row cooling, renewable energy and efficient space allocation that will reduce Power Usage Effectiveness, PUE, by more than 20 per cent and will slash carbon emissions by half.
The prefabricated containerised data centre runs a wide range of mission-critical applications, including port and terminal operation systems, visitor passes, and other digital customer services.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Abu Dhabi Ports Group CEO, said: "Abu Dhabi Ports’ Smart Container Initiative reflects our commitment to devise and accelerate sustainable eco-friendly digital transformation solutions that not only advances the economic and technological prowess of the emirate but also falls in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, put forward by the United Nations.
"Global maritime organisations need to reassess traditional ways of conducting business and to seek out sophisticated alternatives especially during times of economic upheaval.
"We are committed to investing in ultra-modern green and clean technology and innovative digital infrastructure that ensures business continuity at all times."
Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, Head of Digital Cluster and CEO of Maqta Gateway, Abu Dhabi Ports said: "Adding value across our port operations while maintaining the highest safety standards for our data is imperative in creating a successful streamlined service.
"This initiative to deploy a mobile data centre is another important step in our continued effort to provide agile and scalable end-to-end smart services to all our stakeholders and customers whilst ensuring business continuity."
Landmark Group, a leading retail and hospitality conglomerate in the Middle East and India, has signed a 2.6 megawatt-peak solar agreement with Yellow Door Energy, a UAE-based sustainable energy provider, and AMANA Investments, a renowned design-build construction company.
As the first joint venture between Yellow Door Energy and AMANA Investments, the solar agreement will bring clean energy to Landmark Group’s state-of-the-art, fully automated 1-billion-dirham OMEGA DC Warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) in Dubai, UAE.
Over 6,000 solar panels will be installed to generate 4,200 megawatt-hours of clean energy annually, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 1,700 tonnes or removing 380 cars from the road. Construction is expected to start in late 2020 and the solar plant is expected to be completed by the spring of 2021.
Rajesh Garg, Group CFO of Landmark Group, said: “Sustainability and innovation are at the core of our business. We strongly believe that what is good for the environment is good for the business too. This solar agreement with Yellow Door Energy and AMANA Investments enables us to switch to clean energy, and expand our solar ambition, which in turn helps us become more cost-competitive and innovative as a business.”
Mihin Shah, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Landmark Group, said, “We continue on our path of solar expansion with this agreement and it reaffirms our commitment towards sustainability. This solar installation will be very befitting to our fully automated OMEGA DC, which is already a certified ‘Green’ distribution center and through this partnership we will advance the energy efficiency to benefit not only our own business but also the customers to whom we are offering third party logistics
services.
Jeremy Crane, CEO and Co-Founder of Yellow Door Energy, said: “We congratulate Landmark Group on this solar agreement that will help it achieve its sustainable energy goals. As a developer with over 110 megawatts of solar projects in the region, Yellow Door Energy is proud to include Landmark Group in our growing list of premier customers. Working with AMANA Investments, we encourage businesses in JAFZA to consider solar as a viable option to reduce costs and save the environment. As a UAE-based company, Yellow Door Energy is honored to contribute to DEWA’s Shams Dubai Program and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.”
Riad Bsaibes, President & CEO of AMANA Investments, said: “Our relationship with the Landmark Group over the years has been one that we are especially proud of, resulting in the construction of numerous facilities for the Group across the region. Today, we are proud to extend, in cooperation with Yellow Door Energy, another service to Landmark enabling the Group to reduce its cost of power in the same facility that we constructed 2 years ago. We look forward to working with Landmark to further reduce their energy costs and consumption in this facility and others across the region.”
Yellow Door Energy and AMANA Investments are responsible for investing in, designing, building, commissioning, operating and maintaining the solar plant for the duration of the agreement. Solar developments are gaining popularity among industrial building owners who want to reduce energy costs. This can be done without any upfront investment or operational risk, while maintaining the focus on their core business and enjoying the benefits of clean energy.
Carrefour, operated by Majid Al Futtaim in the UAE, has underscored its commitment to support local farmers and provide healthier organic products through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emirates Bio Farm — the largest private organic farm in the UAE. The partnership will see Carrefour source up to 450 tonnes of Emirates Bio Farm organic produce, which promises more affordable prices at Carrefour stores. Emirates Bio Farm is leading organic agriculture in the UAE through its farming methods by producing chemical free crops while also protecting the environment and promoting biodiversity. The partnership illustrates Carrefour’s multipronged approach to support sustainable agriculture in the UAE.
With more than 70 organic products on offer — including cucumbers, plum tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, carrots, eggplants, green capsicum, curly and flat kale, and okra — customers are spoilt for choice when they choose to buy local. The agreement falls in line with Majid Al Futtaim’s strategy to support local farmers in the UAE, and complements a further MoU signed with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) to increase the availability of local produce across Carrefour stores in the country.
Phillippe Peguilhan, Country Manager of Carrefour UAE at Majid Al Futtaim Retail commented, “We know today’s consumers are highly conscious of choosing fresh and healthy produce, having witnessed strong demand for our selection of fresh local produce. We’re proud to announce another partnership with Emirates Bio Farm, which will no doubt provide exceptional value for customers across the emirates.”
In sourcing more organic local produce from Emirates Bio Farm, Carrefour UAE is elevating the nation’s food security by supporting local farmers and reducing its food miles. Last year, Carrefour opened the regions’ first in-store hydroponic farm at Yas Mall, reiterating the company’s commitment to driving environmental sustainability.
Yellow Door Energy, a UAE-based sustainable energy provider for businesses, has been awarded a solar contract with Hira Walraven AC LLC (“Hira Walraven”), a Dutch and UAE joint venture for construction material and piping systems, for its facility in National Industries Park in Dubai, UAE.
The 524 kilowatt-peak rooftop solar plant is expected to generate more than 850,000
kilowatt-hours of clean energy in its first year of operation, equivalent to reducing 360,000
kilograms of carbon emissions or planting 9,400 trees. Over 1,100 solar panels will be
installed to cover 4,700 square meters of roof space at the facility, meeting over 90% of its
energy consumption needs.
Ravi Wadhwani, Managing Director of Hira Walraven, said: “Being green is not only reflected in our logo. For us being green also means that we take conscious efforts towards reducing our environmental footprint as well as using resources the most efficient way possible. The solar contract with Yellow Door Energy enables us to significantly reduce our electricity costs and switch to clean energy, which in turn helps us become more cost-competitive and innovative.”
Rory McCarthy, Chief Commercial Officer of Yellow Door Energy, commented: “We are
proud to support Hira Walraven’s sustainability leadership through the development of this
solar plant. We hope businesses in National Industries Park will consider solar as a viable
option to reduce electricity costs and switch to clean energy. Yellow Door Energy is honored
to contribute to DEWA’s Shams Dubai Program and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.”
As the solar developer, Yellow Door Energy is responsible for investing in, designing,
building, commissioning, operating and maintaining the solar plant for the duration of the
contract. Contracting with solar developers is gaining popularity among industrial building
owners who want to reduce energy costs without any upfront investment or operational risk, while maintaining focus on their core business and enjoying the benefits of clean energy.
Azizi Developments, one of the leading private developers in the UAE, is taking its sustainability efforts to the next level through VCM, the community management provider that Azizi recently hired. VCM having signed a partnership agreement with Imdaad, a Dubai-based group of companies that provides integrated, sustainable facilities management services that enhance operational efficiencies of physical assets, is now promoting recycling within all of Azizi’s communities through dozens of recycling bins and cages that have been placed across 16 of the developer’s communities.
The developer is now also in talks with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to install electric vehicle chargers across its communities.
Mohammed Ragheb, Executive Director - Engineering Division at Azizi Developments, commented: "Sustainability is one of our core commitments, reflected in all of our projects, with environmental considerations being integrated wherever possible. We are pleased about the initiation of the agreement with Imdaad, augmenting our efforts in moving towards a healthy, sustainable ecosystem in line with Dubai Plan 2021. Through the provision of waste recycling bins at our doorsteps and several other concrete steps that we are taking, we are proud to contribute to the smart and environmentally friendly city of Dubai, where communities are clean, healthy, and sustainable.”
Mr Jawad Hussain, General Manager of VCM, added: “Through our partnership with Imdaad, we are ensuring that all international sustainability best practices are adhered to. Recycling bins and paper waste cages are merely the first step in this. We are now looking at integrating electric vehicle charges, enhancing greenery around our developments, and much more. We look forward to sharing more announcements on this in the near future.”
Mr. Jamal Abdulla Lootah, Group CEO of Imdaad, commented: "Offering industry-leading integrated and turnkey sustainable solutions, we have been delivering superior value to our customers and we are delighted to partner with VCM to contribute to Azizi Developments’ journey in achieving its sustainability goals.
This partnership represents our commitment to helping the UAE realise its vision of diverting 75 percent of all municipal solid waste away from landfills by 2021 through the promotion of effective recycling of commercial and industrial waste. We are also keen to further introduce innovative concepts that will support the developer in incorporating best practices in environmental friendliness.”
VCM is finalising contracts with leading organisations in the realm of sustainability, in line with Dubai’s environmental initiatives, and educating stakeholders on how to reduce waste and contribute to the preservation of the environment through organised educational sessions.
Etihad Airways and Boeing will work together starting in August on the seventh iteration of the ecoDemonstrator program to test innovative technologies in the air, building on the core innovation and sustainability tenets of their strategic partnership signed in November 2019.
The ecoDemonstrator program utilizes commercial aircraft as flying testbeds to accelerate technology development that will make commercial aviation safer and more sustainable now and into the future.
The 2020 program will be the first to use a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. It will leverage the Etihad Greenliner program as part of the broader Etihad-Boeing Strategic Partnership to test cutting-edge technologies and explore "blue sky" opportunities to improve airspace efficiency, reduce fuel use, and cut CO2 emissions.
Tony Douglas, Etihad Aviation Group Chief Executive Officer, said, "This is the latest program under Etihad’s industry-leading strategic partnership with Boeing, focusing on innovating real-world solutions to the key sustainability challenges facing the aviation industry.
"When we launched the partnership with the announcement of the Etihad Greenliner program at the Dubai Airshow last year, we promised it was just the beginning of a deep, structural partnership between our two organizations that would go on to lead the industry toward a sustainable future. The ecoDemonstrator program is founded on innovation and sustainability. These are core values for Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi, and the United Arab Emirates, and Etihad and Boeing see a great opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge to minimize the impact of aviation on the environment."
Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, said, "Industry collaboration is a key aspect of Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program that enables us to accelerate innovation. We’re proud to broaden our sustainability partnership with Etihad Airways by testing promising technologies that can reduce emissions, help commercial aviation meet our climate goals, and allow the industry to grow in a responsible manner that respects our planet and its natural resources."
Boeing and Etihad will work with industry-leading partners, including NASA and Safran Landing Systems, to conduct aircraft noise measurements from sensors on the airplane and the ground.
The data will be used to validate aircraft noise prediction processes and the sound reduction potential of aircraft designs, including landing gear, that are modified for quieter operations. In addition, a flight will be conducted during which pilots, air traffic controllers and an airline’s operations center will simultaneously share digital information to optimize routing efficiency and enhance safety by reducing workload and radio frequency congestion.
Test flights will be flown on a blend of sustainable fuel, which significantly lowers aviation’s environmental footprint. The testing program is expected to last approximately four weeks before Etihad’s Boeing 787-10 is entered into service in Abu Dhabi. — WAM
Road and Transport Authority’s Public Transport Agency, in collaboration with ENOC Group, embarked on a pilot to power its traditional Abras using Biodiesel5.
Explaining the initiative, the CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, stated that the initiative of using biodiesel to fuel traditional Abras was part of RTA’s endeavours to conserve the environment and safeguard the public health by curbing harmful emissions.
"We have embarked on this project in collaboration with ENOC Group and drafted an agreement whereby ENOC would supply biodiesel to five traditional Abras run by private operators. Abras would be refuelled at a specific point on the Dubai Creek where all safety precautions had been taken. We had agreed on a three-month pilot period, which would be followed by a result assessment and consider next steps," said Bahrozyan.
"We had also agreed on a specific grade of biofuel, Biodiesel5, which is an advanced alternative fuel product approved in the UAE. It is manufactured from vegetable oils as well as residues of cooking and animal oils. Since it is extracted from renewable sources, it reduces carbon dioxide emissions in the city and promotes the provision of clean and sustainable services to the community," he added.
Saif Humaid Al Falasi, CEO of ENOC Group, praised the continued cooperation with RTA and the signing of the latest agreement, which would add to the Group’s efforts to provide clean fuel and reduce harmful gas emissions.
"At ENOC, we continue to build on our successful partnerships with various government entities; and our agreement with RTA is a testament to our commitment to offer our stakeholders alternative clean energy solutions that will curb carbon footprint," said Al Falasi.
"Biodiesel5’ is an alternative fuel that has enabled us to promote sustainable best practices, enhance operational efficiency and reduce harmful emissions.
As a leading energy player, it is our responsibility to support, advance and positively impact the communities we operate in. Our agreement with RTA would undoubtedly enable us to contribute to achieving the goals set by the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050," he added.
"Research papers indicate that the use of biofuel reduces the scale of unburned hydrocarbons and cuts the emission of carbon monoxide and sulphate gas as well PAH gases that cause cancer," said Mohammed Abu Baksr Al Hashmi, Director of Marine Transport, at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
"During the trial, we would be measuring the carbon emissions of biofuel-powered Abras in comparison with regular diesel-powered Abras. Should the experiment prove successful, it would be generalized to the entire fleet of 148 Abras operating on Dubai Creek. Such a step contributes to RTA’s strategic goal (Safety and Environmental Sustainability). It reduces carbon emission on Dubai Creek by 125 tons of CO2 per annum that is equivalent to growing 2000 trees for 10 years," explained Al Hashmi.
It is worth noting that there are 148 traditional Abras operated by the private sector in Dubai Creek on two lines. Abras carry about 13 million riders per annum, which constitutes about 90% to the total marine transport ridership in Dubai. Traditional Abras are currently fitted with diesel engines of 30 hp that consume about 1.1 million litres of fuels per annum
