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
A 16-year-old Dubai student Akshansh Khrodia - who is also a licensed master scuba diver - has created a homemade sustainable lift-bag that can help lift garbage from the sea-bed easily and efficiently.
After getting his scuba diver licence a couple of years back, the teenager developed a passion to preserve the natural beauty he saw underwater and he launched his own local undersea clean-up initiative called sea.me.and.dive.
"We started conducting undersea clean-ups from September 2019 and the active pursuit to create a homemade sustainable lift-bag has been going on since May 2019. My aim was not only to preserve the environment in which we dive but also to improve the effectiveness of undersea clean-ups. That led to the creation of the home-made lift-bag device that operates like an underwater air balloon that can carry weights up to 12-15kg. Throughout the summer of 2019, I conducted multiple tests using my different designs for a homemade lift-bag in a controlled pool environment and in an uncontrolled environment out at sea at a depth of 26 metres.
"The homemade lift-bag is made by reusing shoelaces and a large waste bag and attaching a carabiner hook to the end of the bag. This makes the lift-bag easily compatible with the pockets in our BCD jackets as it can be easily rolled up. My adaptation of the lift-bag allows us to send our collected waste to the surface without ascending from the sea bed, and continue collecting trash. This hugely improves our efficiency with minimal waste of oxygen and without constantly resurfacing which can cause health issues," said Akshansh, who has now completed 65 scuba dives.
"My inspiration for creating my lift-bags came after I completed my underwater search and recovery specialist programme. In search and recovery, often very large industrial lift-bags are used to bring up objects which we have recovered from the ocean.
While they operate in the same manner, these lift-bags are much harder to control due to their size and buoyancy and are not easily foldable. Additionally, these refined commercial lift-bags are very expensive sometimes, ranging between Dh750 and Dh1,500. On the other hand, my simple homemade adaptation can be created using materials found at home, which usually can cost up to Dh15-20 per lift-bag.
Akshansh was speaking about his initiative at a webinar organised by Smile with Alternatives to Plastic (Swap) group that is affiliated to the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) and organises activities/workshops to create awareness to reduce plastic use and opt for eco-friendly options to save the environment. At the webinar, the group hosted the youngster to create awareness on the quantity and quality of garbage that reaches the seas and oceans from our homes.
This article first appeared on Khaleej Times on 20 June, 2020
ECOLOG International and Siemens Energy's Water Solutions business have joined forces to provide an efficient and service-oriented treatment option to the water and wastewater industry
Siemens, with a highly-trusted brand in wastewater treatment solutions, with Ecolog's portfolio of end-to-end services including its design, build and operate model, create a very strong team and compelling value proposition for the customers and end users.
Industrial wastewater is a rapidly growing waste stream of downstream and energy industries, which has adversely impacted the environment and water resources over the last century. As the industry grows in capacity and complexity of its waste streams, it is of paramount importance to utilise advanced and integrated solutions to meet process needs as well as environmental regulations.
Integration of Siemens' Zimpro Wet Air Oxidation and PACT biological treatment solutions, as part of the overall services provided by Ecolog wastewater treatment solutions, will lead to greater efficiency and local value add. The target of the partnership aims to identify and develop projects where technology can make a difference in terms of reaching low pollutant discharge levels or for water reuse, and giving customers the option to outsource the plant integration, build and operation.
Anthony Pink, CEO of Siemens Water Solutions, added, “Wastewater has to undergo a complex, energy-intense process to reach the required level of purity. Siemens Energy's specialist technology supports this process, and our agreement with Ecolog enhances our technological portfolio with key treatment technologies and vast wastewater experience, aligned with local high-performance services, allowing Ecolog and Siemens to jointly serve the wastewater industry in a broader way, as required.”
Ali Vezvaei, Group CEO of Ecolog International, said that the partnership is set to bring advanced and integrated solutions to the customers and enable them to focus more on managing production and less on waste management and side streams.
SirajPower, UAE’s leading distributed solar energy provider, has been appointed by one of UAE’s largest conglomerates, Danube Group as its new solar partner in the UAE.
The group commissioned SirajPower to take over the financing, operation, and maintenance of its 1MWP solar power plant spread across JAFZA and Dubai TechnoPark. The solar system will cover approximately 13,000 sqm roof area and is expected to generate 1.7 GWh of annual energy production. The project will also help displace over 1,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide emission (Co2) per annum, corresponding to more than 150 million smartphones being charged.
Laurent Longuet, CEO of SirajPower said: “It’s a privilege to add to our robust portfolio another major UAE player such as Danube Group. The trust shown in our unique business model reflects the remarkable expertise and reputation we’ve developed in this important sector of the market. The private sector’s appetite for solar plants has been quickly increasing over the past few years and different solar solutions are being offered. We thank Danube Group for selecting us as a reliable partner to help them achieve their clean energy transition and contribute to the sustainable development of the UAE.”
Rizwan Sajan, Founder, and Chairman of Danube Group said: “We at Danube Group, have always supported initiatives that are good to our society and surroundings. We think it is now more important than ever to adapt to sustainable resources, considering the harmful effects of global warming that are looming large. By getting these panels installed at our facilities, not only will we save on our cost of electricity, but also the environment. So, I would like to urge every entrepreneur out there to employ measures and practices that are good for the conservation of our natural resources. Additionally, I would like to thank SirajPower for being such a wonderful partner in providing these full-fledged solar power services.”
SirajPower previously reported that commercial and industrial businesses will look into reducing their operating costs and limiting their cash expenses to be able to resume their business and brave the financial crisis ahead. According to CEO Laurent Longuet, in such a context, solar energy combined with financing solutions such as the leasing model will be helpful when it comes to easing energy expenses.
“This will allow private companies to reduce their electricity bill in a very significant manner without any upfront investment. This is a model we promoted for many years and we strongly believe it will contribute to mitigating the economic impact of the crisis on our clients and other companies embracing renewable energy.”
Since the beginning of 2020, SirajPower has considerably expanded its footprint in the residential sector whilst steadily further strengthening its presence in the commercial and industrial sectors. As a result, to date, SirajPower holds the largest solar energy portfolio in the region with over 50 MWp already under operation
