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
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, announced on Tuesday that it will no longer purchase paper supplies, adding that it would refrain from using some 8.5 million sheets of paper for 2020.
The move comes as part of the Dubai Paperless Strategy, which aims to use advanced technology to build an integrated paperless government framework.
Commenting on the announcement, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA Managing Director and CEO, said that the strategy is in line with the vision to make Dubai the city of the future and transform the Government of Dubai into a fully digital government and build an integrated, paperless government framework.
According to a statement issued by DEWA, the authority is deemed as "one of the leading organisations in implementing the Dubai Paperless Strategy".
It has cut its paper usage by 82 percent in the large entities category within Dubai Government, the statement added, noting DEWA's smart services have reached 96 percent at the end of May 2020.
DEWA also utilises smart technologies and solutions to carry out daily functions and procedures. One such technology, DEWA noted, is the Smart Office app which provides the authority's employees with 197 functions including, internal approvals processing, and enabling employees to draft, document, and follow up on official documents, among others.
Accessing the Smart Document through computers, tablets and smartphones, has avoided emissions of around 84 tonnes of carbon dioxide, DEWA noted. Over 4,000 employees are currently using Smart Documents for automation of forms and their communication needs, it concluded.
Microsoft opened an artificial intelligence centre for energy in Dubai - its first in the world - to develop technologies that could be used globally.
The centre, known as Microsoft Energy Core, was inaugurated virtually on Wednesday and is based at the company’s office in Dubai Internet City. The US technology giant is aiming to start developing AI-focused technology from this centre by September.
“It’s a global initiative ... Microsoft’s first centre to focus solely on energy and sustainability ... majorly we will be exploring AI and cloud computing,” Omar Saleh, Microsoft's Middle East and Africa head of energy and manufacturing, told The National.
“Currently, the foremost priority is to develop new AI technologies that could be used in [the] energy sector globally.”
Microsoft has joined forces with ten global partners to run the centre. They include Honeywell, Rockwell Automation, ABB, Sensia, Accenture, Aveva, Emerson, Schlumberger, Maana and BakerHughesC3.ai.
“To ensure we are on the same page and pursuing ethical principles of AI, we have constituted an industry board … we will meet every quarter to evaluate the developed prototypes, discuss challenges and bring fresh ideas on the floor,” Mr Saleh said.
The technology giant, whose local clients include Emirates Airlines and Dubai Airports, did not reveal the amount it has invested into setting up the centre.
“There has been a big push and investment from Microsoft's side. There is huge demand for AI solutions in [the] energy sector and that is giving us confidence,” Mr Saleh said.
Microsoft's move comes as global tech giants address digital transformation needs within the energy sector. Spending on energy-related AI is expected to reach $7.78 billion (Dh28.6bn) by 2024, according to a report by BIS Research in January.
Companies such as IBM, Amazon, Google and ABB are already selling digital solutions to the biggest oil and gas companies in the world.
In one of the industry’s first collaborations, announced last year, the US oil and gas major Chevron teamed up with the world’s biggest oilfield services firm, Schlumberger, and Microsoft to accelerate the creation of digital technologies.
In November last year, state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company announced a 10-year partnership with Honeywell to use its monitoring platform as it embarked on a major predictive maintenance project.
Besides the AI centre that was first announced in November last year, Microsoft also launched an AI Academy to provide digital skills to energy industry workers
It also has agreements with global universities to educate undergraduate and post graduate students through its AI Academy.
“The academy’s aim is to train people to address the most pressing challenges faced by the energy sector – most of them pertaining to sustainable operations and responsibly dealing with the environment,” said Mr Saleh.
“Currently we are conducting online classes and workshops due to the Covid-19 restrictions … many individuals have enrolled for these virtual sessions that are already up and running.”
Microsoft has also committed to ambitious environmental sustainability goals. By 2030, the company aims to be carbon negative and by 2050, it aims to remove all the carbon it has emitted since it was founded in 1975.
The Microsoft Energy Core is "part of our unwavering commitment" to "reshape the future of the energy industry and drive a positive impact in our communities", said Samer Abu Ltaif, president of Microsoft MEA.
Canon Middle East, a leader in printing and imaging solutions, has announced a positive development in the continued commitment to communities and sustainability with a one-month long customer collection service for those looking to continue to recycle their e-waste.
Canon Middle East’s authorised recycler in the UAE, Color Code, has been selected to support collection from customers’ homes. Collectable items include Canon consumables such as ink, toner, batteries and paper as well as electronic waste such as old printers, cameras and scanners.
The initiative is aligned with wider efforts on the part of Canon to support the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainability Goals (SDGs) with an environmentally conscious approach to the manufacturing and recycling of its products.
Commenting on the initiative, Mai Youssef, Corporate Communications and Marketing Services Director, Canon Africa, Middle East and Turkey, said: “As a business we’ve been doing all we can to support the continuation of our activities despite the current environment. We are steadfastly committed to our corporate sustainability responsibilities and one of these is our effort towards a clearer and more circular economy. Aligned with our corporate philosophy of kyosei – which means living and working together for the common good – we wanted to ensure that we continue to support our customers with positive and meaningful initiatives with a positive impact, whilst adhering to government guidelines and ensuring we all stay safe, at home.”
Canon is committed to a ‘no waste’ to landfill policy. Toner cartridges are recycled as far as possible - be it as a component in a new toner cartridge, as a base material in other industries. Between 1990 and 2018, Canon recycled more than 408,000 tonnes of cartridges globally, saving more than 601,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
To participate, customers simply need to fill in an online form with the details of their items for recycling as well as their home address and contact details, and collection will be implemented within 48 hours of the request. https://en.canon-me.com/sustainability/uae-recycling/
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has achieved record savings in the use of power by implementing 46 projects and initiatives during 2019 as part of its Green Economy strategy. Numbers released reflect that RTA’s savings amounted to 45 million gallons of water, 30 million litres of fuel, and 39 million kilowatt-hours. Results achieved can be contributed to RTA’s fifth strategic goal (Safety and Environmental Sustainability).
“RTA endorsed power-saving standards at par with the best in the world through launching 46 projects and initiatives resulting in record savings. Projects launched included broadening the use of solar power, using electric buses, deploying hydrogen fuel/electricity-powered taxis, fitting power-saving streetlights, expanding the scope of online services, and recycling used carwash water,” said Nada Jasim, Director of Safety, Risk, Regulation and Planning at RTA’s Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector.
“Results of power and water-saving initiatives undertaken in 2019 surpassed the targets set. Savings made amounted to 45 million gallons of water, 30 million litres of fuel, and 39 million-kilowatt hours. They resulted in reducing RTA’s carbon footprint by 102 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. RTA is developing plans for environmental sustainability and green economy to counter the impact of global warming and climate change,” explained Nada.
RTA’s strategic plans for energy and green economy along with the use of green technologies have yielded huge savings in power consumption in both operations and services. Savings made also covered roads and transport infrastructure projects across the Emirate. RTA implements top energy management practices and has developed a specific power-management policy to measure, assess and monitor the efficiency of using power in processes, services and projects.
“RTA’s overall objective is to reduce the environmental footprint and conserve natural resources for upcoming generations. Initiatives undertaken serve the objectives of governments of the UAE and Dubai as well as the sustainable development of the United Nations. It is worth mentioning that in 2016, RTA became the first entity in the region to map out a comprehensive green economy structure,” concluded Nada.
Daikin Middle East and Africa (MEA) recently announced that the “Mini VRV 5-s” air-conditioning system with climate-friendly R-32 refrigerant will soon be available in the region as the company moves to strengthen its contributions to the MEA region, following the rising environmental protection and sustainability-related initiatives.
The newly developed Mini VRV 5-s was launched in Europe recently, marking a milestone in Daikin Europe’s bid to help reduce carbon emissions in the air-conditioning sector. With best-in-class design versatility, the system is the solution for the air-conditioning of smaller commercial applications and apartment buildings. Its intuitive online control and variable refrigerant temperature are all geared to provide optimum comfort.
Tuna Gulenc, Vice President-Sales Daikin Middle East and Africa (MEA), said: “Following the successful launch of the system in Europe, Daikin is looking at bringing it to MEA territories to address the growing demand for environment-friendly offerings within the regional air-conditioning sector. This latest innovation incorporates all the newest technological developments, including the low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant R-32, to effectively meet the safety, environmental compatibility, economy, and energy efficiency standards in the field of VRV.”
The VRV is an air-to-air heat pump that obtains its energy for cooling, heating, and ventilation from a sustainable energy source air and enables all-round thermal energy management in the building. All known VRV standards such as Variable Refrigerant Temperature (VRT) technology are also incorporated in the compact Mini VRV version. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the outdoor unit is easy to transport and flexible to use. It is equipped as well with new asymmetric fan design, leak detection system, stop valves, and Daikin swing compressor.
With only one, newly designed, and larger fan, the Mini VRV 5-s provides a high airflow rate and reduced noise emissions up to 39 dBA. It can be combined with wall, concealed and cassette units, and now also with a door air curtain. It can also be integrated into a ventilation system.
It emits lower carbon because of its single-component R-32 refrigerant, which is easy to reuse and recycle. The GWP of R-32 is only one-third of that of the R-410A refrigerant commonly used in the market and up-to 75% of CO2 emission equivalent reductions. Further, the Mini VRV 5-s is already fully compliant with European LOT 21, Tier 2 and it offers leading-edge seasonal efficiency as it is designed with unique three-row heat exchanger.
We have been aware for decades that driving a personal car for private use contributes to pollution. However, if you manage a fleet of vehicles, the negative environmental impact is even higher. The onus lies with regulators, companies and fleet managers to mitigate emissions, and this crucial item on the environmental agenda should not take a back seat to commercial growth and success; in fact, it should be considered a complementary conversation to commercial efficiency.
Rising CO2 and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions have brought the transportation sector under heavy pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. Transportation accounts for 24% of direct global CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, with road vehicles together accounting for nearly three-quarters of transport-related CO2 emissions.
Road transport also causes around one third of all emissions of PM, fine particles that can restrict breathing and cause premature death. Overall, there were 385,000 deaths estimated worldwide due to transport-related air pollution in 2015.
As a result, we have seen renewed efforts and a rise in legislations to encourage individuals to cut down on car travel and use public transport, walk and cycle. Initiatives to encourage drivers to trade petrol and diesel fueled cars for new electric vehicles (EVs) are also on the increase.
It is easier said than done. When it comes to reducing carbon footprints, replacing older vehicles with modern green alternatives and driving people towards e-vehicles, the road is a bumpy one, and change is not always practically feasible or financially viable.
There is no instantaneous solution. There is little doubt that electrification of vehicles can immediately cut greenhouse gas emissions from commercial vehicles.
There is also no question, that these vehicles lag behind, as they face major technical hurdles to be surpassed in a bid to achieve sufficient electrification of the commercial vehicle sector, and in particular, longer distance road freight, to drive tangible results. What remains crucial is to keep in sight projected monetary savings that could help finance a gradual or wholesale greening of existing fleet.
For the 3PL and express delivery industries, there is a limited scope to reduce the number of journeys made, nor is it feasible to trade in entire fleets of diesel and petrol vehicles for electric vehicles within a short or even medium timeframe. That being said, we are seeing great examples of long-term projected plans by industry leaders to achieve full fleet greening.
Recently, Amazon announced plans to achieve a fleet of around 100,000 electric trucks as part of the company’s participation in the Climate Pledge, to reach the Paris Agreement’s terms 10 years early. Signatories of the Climate Pledge also agree to make their businesses net zero carbon by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris deadline of 2050. The resonating message here is that while it may not be today, that a full fleet overhaul is implemented, it should be a part of every company’s long-term plan. We need to start somewhere.
If we are to make a rapid reduction in our environmental footprint, we need to become much better at managing existing fleets. The good news is that there is plenty we can do right now to make existing fossil fuel vans and trucks more sustainable.
ION was born out of an emissions reduction initiative and a joint venture between CE-Creates, Crescent Enterprises’ internal business incubation platform and Bee’ah, the leading Sharjah-based environmental solutions company. Bee’ah was looking for ways to reduce the carbon footprint of its existing fleet of 1200 vehicles. The company discovered that through the use of route optimisation software and RFID-tagged bins, it could dramatically reduce emissions and optimise fuel consumption.
There have been similar successes elsewhere. Logistics Emissions Reduction Scheme (LERS), a UK supply chain industry initiative, claims that its members have become 13% more fuel efficient by adopting six measures and applying them to existing diesel vehicles. Some of these measures, such as keeping consistent speeds, avoiding unnecessary braking and accelerating more smoothly, are a matter of modifying driver behaviour.
Adoption of telematics and route optimisation software require moderate investments in technology. Other measures include the use of low resistance tyres, regular monitoring of tyres to ensure air pressure is at optimum levels and installation of aerodynamic devices on vehicles. With the emergence of smartphone technology, it has become easy to track vehicle movements, optimise routes, schedule periodic maintenance and encourage the shared utilisation of vehicles.
All these measures can be applied now to existing vehicles. They achieve significant carbon and cost savings and create a breathing space for fleet managers to begin planning the transition to electric vehicles.
Unless there is regulation in place to force fleet electrification, operators would be advised to run trials in which they would first replace up to 10% of their fleet to gauge EVs’ overall impact on operations. If there are positive results, they could move to change the whole fleet at a faster pace. At least for the next two years, smaller vehicles used for express delivery are the most likely candidates for electrification. Their shorter charging times make them easier to integrate into everyday operations and charging points tend to be more plentiful in urban locations.
Despite a recent setback with DHL’s decision to close StreetScooter, the choice of electric delivery vans is increasing and their range continues to improve. More and more logistics companies are adding them to their fleets, including FedEx with an order for 1000 Class 5 electric vans made by Ryder and UPS with 1000 vans from Workhorse Group.
Eventually, even the very largest trucks will be candidates for electrification. In 2018, Daimler announced the all-electric, 18-wheel Freightliner eCascadia. Scheduled to begin production at the end of 2021, this class-8 truck is planned to have a range of 250 miles and a battery charge capacity of 80% in 90 minutes.
Tesla has also announced its entry into the market, with plans to make two semis, with a range of 300 and 500 miles. Although production has been pushed back to an unspecified date, Tesla is claiming buyers of the truck will earn their money back in operating savings within two years. We should soon see the Semi on the region’s roads, with Bee’ah placing an order for 50 of the vehicles straight after their official launch.
There are, naturally, barriers to the acquisition of EVs. These include a lack of legislation to enforce green vehicles to be used in fleets, the higher purchase cost of EVs and a lack of historical data comparing the total cost of ownership of a green fleet with an ICE fleet. Sacrifices need to be made, and these barriers can be overcome if the world is to conserve its ecosystem.
In Dubai, DEWA has solved one significant problem by spearheading the rollout of charging points. We at ION have partnered with SEWA to establish a charger network in Sharjah. Resistance to the idea of EVs will, we believe, disappear with time and greater awareness.
The debate over the overall cost of sustainability measures will continue. In the short term, the financial impact is negative as the cost of implementing green initiatives, including the purchase of EVs, is absorbed. There is, however, an economic benefit of 15 to 20% if the fleet is operated for three years or more.
In the context of EVs, legislation is vital for two reasons. It first and foremost signals the intent of regulators. It also incentivises the first movers in the ecosystem by providing them with subsidies or discounts. Naturally, there is friction between policymakers and civil society groups regarding the stringency of green fleet legislation; however, as we become aware of the negative effects of global warming, regulators are now being embracing opportunities to make our future more sustainable. The UK government is amongst those leading the way, with plans to end the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by 2035.
Fleet managers looking to reduce their carbon footprints can implement a range of measures to the vehicles they already own. As these savings start to manifest on balance sheets, they can begin planning the long-term transition to an electric fleet with motivated vigor, and a belief that change is both feasible, and profitable, in the not so distant future.
ION is a sustainable transportation company, established in 2018 as a joint venture between CE-Creates (Crescent Enterprises) and Bee’ah.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has continued to progress its sustainability agenda, testing a range of initiatives during the wind-down and suspension of its scheduled passenger services in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The airline has highlighted some of its continuing activities in a new video released today to mark Earth Day 2020
Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “In these challenging times, and beyond Covid-19, our response to the climate change crisis will not be neglected. Earlier this year, we pledged a target of net zero emissions by 2050, and to halve our 2019 net emission levels by 2035. Through the Etihad Greenliner Programme, we remain committed to reducing our impact on the environment, in collaboration with partners across the aviation industry.”
This year, Etihad has worked with Boeing, GE Aviation, EuroControl and others to test and implement measures to reduce fuel consumption, carbon emissions and noise.
When it was delivered from Boeing’s North Carolina assembly plant, the signature aircraft of the Etihad Greenliner Programme – a ‘green-themed’ Boeing 787 - was fuelled with a 30 per cent blend of sustainable aviation fuel, refined from agricultural waste.
Boeing engineers used the delivery flight to research new fuel efficiency measures, based on real time data from the aircraft, to maximise efficiency and minimise emissions by providing customised data to the pilots.
Recently, on Ireland’s national day, the signature Etihad Greenliner operated an optimised roundtrip flight between Abu Dhabi and Dublin, reducing the usual journey time by 40 minutes, cutting fuel consumption by 800 kilograms and reducing carbon emissions by three tonnes over a standard Boeing 787 flight on that route.
The sustainable performance of this Boeing 787 flight was also measured against the same flight one year prior, which was operated with a less efficient aircraft type. Compared to the 2019 flight, the 2020 service operated with eight tonnes less fuel and a staggering 26 tonne reduction in carbon emissions.
Etihad has also implemented a range of other sustainability measures, including the use of data to determine the optimal volumes of potable water for aircraft toilets and washrooms, and ‘taxi fuel’ to power the aircraft on the ground. By customising volumes of both, the airline is reducing significantly the weight of aircraft on many routes, helping to reduce fuel burn and emissions.
During the grounding of its scheduled passenger flights, Etihad has also been testing single-engine taxi-in of Boeing 787 aircraft without using the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU), again with more sustainable outcomes.
