The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2018 today opened its doors to some of the world’s most important sustainability stakeholders at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The event, and its co-located events, International Water Summit and EcoWASTE Exhibition will continue throughout the week, closing on Thursday, January 18th.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, today attended the Opening Ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), before presenting awards to nine winners of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.
During the opening, a keynote speech was delivered by H.E. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman at Masdar, in which he said that Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week marks a significant milestone as the country celebrates the centenary of its founding father. Dr Sultan went on to say that over the last decade, the Zayed Future Energy Prize, underpinned by the legacy of Sheikh Zayed and the vision of the leadership, has inspired leaders, governments and industries to work collectively to reach for a better tomorrow and to safe guard the world for the next generation.
World’s largest manmade water reserve to be built in Abu Dhabi
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) today unveiled the Liwa Strategic Water Reserve, which will be the world’s largest manmade reserve of high quality desalinated water, once complete.
The wells, which lie up to 80 metres below the Liwa Desert, are fed by one of United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) longest water pipeline networks which runs the water from Shuweihat desalination plant at a rate of 7 million imperial gallons (approx. 32,000 m3) per day over 27 months.
The project has addressed Abu Dhabi’s water security and its resilience through the recharge of groundwater aquifers with high-quality desalinated water, which cannot be stored above ground due to contamination and other factors. The desalinated water is piped from the coast to create the secure, underground reserve system.
“The entire project is testament to the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration, and an exemplary case study in inter-governmental cooperation driven by environmental pillars guiding sustainable economic imperatives,” said Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General, EAD.
“The reserve acts as a safety net for the provision of water and is now being regarded as an excellent regional model for foresight and planning,” said His Excellency Saif Al Seairi, Acting Director General, ADWEA.
“We’re in the middle of unprecedented global energy transition”: His Excellency Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment
In a speech to open the Ministerial Panels on day one of the World Future Energy Summit, His Excellency Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment told those in attendance that we are in the middle of an unprecedented global energy transition, with growing populations, expanding economies and advancing technological innovations.
The Minister went on to praise the efforts of the UAE in reducing costs for solar production and the work of local private sector company’s such as Majid Al Futtaim, which has committed to becoming net positive by 2040.
The Minister’s opening keynote was followed by a number of panels which focused on Easternisation, the trend of Asian economies becoming global leaders in clean energy innovation and deployment. Other panels included; ‘Driving the Global Energy Transformation’, a discussion with H.E. Nicolas Hulot, Minister of Ecological and Solidary Transition, The French Republic, H.E. Suhail Al Mazroui, Minister, Ministry of Energy, United Arab Emirates and H.E. Andan Z. Amin, Director- General, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The panel provided excellent context around the challenges facing the energy industry and the solutions that are being developed to transform the industry globally. H.E. Suhail Al Mazroui, Minister, Ministry of Energy, United Arab Emirates noted the progress being made by the UAE to ensure that renewable energy makes up 50% (44% renewable and 6% nuclear) of the country’s total energy mix by 2050. The Minister stated that the country’s targets will be reviewed every five years and readjusted based on affordability, sustainability and the security of supply of the energy sources.
Official Innovation Partner, Japan, Showcases Next Generation Robotics
The World Future Energy Summit Innovation Partner, Japan, is showcasing its forward-thinking approach to technology at the event. Its presence will revolve around the concept of ‘Vision Centric Innovation for the Next 100 Years’, drawing on the need for innovation to be vision based with a view to shaping the world for future generations.
The Japanese pavilion, located in Hall 8 and 9, is hosting more than ten companies, including Kodansha, Toshiba, Meltin and iSpace, which are showcasing technologies that are set to play a significant role in ensuring a more sustainable world. The companies are displaying robotics capabilities, treating event visitors to experience and interact with the latest robotics technologies being deployed to solve issues around water security and energy storage.
ispace, a lunar robotic exploration company that develops micro-robotic technology to provide low-cost and frequent transportation service to and on the Moon, is showcasing the world’s most lightweight and smallest landers and rovers, which will be deployed to explore water resources on the Moon. The company recently announced that it will use the revolutionary technology when it leads two lunar exploration missions in 2019 and 2020.
Speaking at the event, Takahiro Nakamura, Chief Operating Officer at ispace commented: “Our vision is to expand the planet and its future. We believe that by 2040, the Moon will be inhabited by 1,000 people, with more than 10,000 visitors each year. With water resources critical to this development, ispace’s robotic technology will be crucial in providing access to the lunar surface, exploring its water resources and creating a world where the Earth and the Moon are one ecosystem.”
6th International Water Summit Opens
The International Water Summit opened today, welcoming more than 150 exhibitors from more than 20 countries. The event, which is in its 6th year, has a special focus on breakthrough smart technologies that are being developed around the world to address pressing water challenges in arid regions.
The 2018 edition also features Innovate@IWS, a competition seeking to discover the most promising smart water technologies, and will connect participants to potential clients and investors creating access to opportunity, capital and growth.
EcoWASTE Exhibition Inaugurated by H.E Falah Al Ahbawbi, Chairman of Tadweer
The 5th Edition of EcoWASTE Exhibition was today inaugurated at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre by H.E Falah Al Ahbawbi, Chairman of Tadweer. With a future-centric agenda committed to advancing sustainable waste management and recycling across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the annual event will take place until Thursday, January 18th.
More than 20 Local, Regional and Global Investors set their Sights on Clean Tech and Sustainability Start Ups