UL (Underwriters Laboratories, a safety science leader, introduced a team of energy experts from across the globe to a captivated audience at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi.
The trio of energy experts educated visitors and delegates on the latest best practices to help ensure new energy technology is embraced and safely implemented, including topical subjects such as energy storage for solar and wind energy, drone safety and environmentally-friendly building codes through UL’s GREENGUARD Program.
WFES took place in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from January 15-18. It is held annually to promote and advance new, clean and efficient energy and technology.
As a trusted advocate for safety using new technologies, UL was participating in collaboration with Saudi-based GCC Lab, which provides testing, inspection and certification services for electrical equipment in the Kingdom. It was also collaborating with the Emirates Standards and Metrology Authority (ESMA) to help companies in the UAE achieve the important Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) and Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) certifications.
Following the successful four-day event UL’s efforts were rewarded by its partners at ESMA who awarded it with a certificate as a token of its gratitude.
Ibrahim Jilani, Senior Business Development Manager, Energy Systems and E-Mobility for UL in Chicago, flew in to lead on various topics such as battery and energy storage as well as explaining the UL 3030 certification, which was developed to help mitigate risk of fire, electric shock and other hazardous malfunctions associated with the lithium-ion batteries used to power drones.
Jilani said, “UL has a deep knowledge of energy sources, including lithium-ion battery technology, and really understands the end products using these sources, such as hoverboards and drones, so we are putting our science and research to work for the betterment of public safety.
“UL 3030 addresses the growing need for comprehensive standards, independent third-party evaluation and certification to mitigate risk and liability for businesses that produce or sell lithium-ion powered products such as drones.”
In 2014, UL developed the world’s first energy storage safety standard, UL 9450A, which has since been adopted by both the US and Canada. It is now being considered by entities in the UAE, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan to assist with their energy storage needs.
UL’s work at the forefront of environmentally-friendly energy production was represented at WFES by Santi Parés, Business Developer Manager, Europe and Latin America. An expert in green energy production, Mr. Pares has worked extensively in the sector since 1987 and has been involved in major on and off-shore wind power projects in Spain, Morocco, Ecuador and Peru.
Another subject leader attending the event for UL was Ali Zein Assi, Global Sales & Business Development Manager. As a pioneer in sustainable supply chain topics, he educated the audience on subjects such as making sustainable development part of an organizations strategy, adopting measurement tools to identify initiatives and putting sustainability risk under control.
Hamid Syed, UL Vice President & GM for UL Middle East, said, “With sustainable power sources and environmentally friendly building solutions at the top of the global news agenda, UL has taken the lead to help companies and governments tap into the potential of this market safely and efficiently with a detailed set of standards and guidelines to follow.
“With the UAE leading the way in solar energy and being such an enthusiastic early adopter of innovative new technology, it is important we help the forward-thinking decision makers in this country and across the region to do so using best practices. UL is in a very privileged position in terms of the subject experts we can provide from across the world and we were delighted to do so at WFES, which provided the perfect platform for us to demonstrate our deep knowledge and understanding.”