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Sustainably utilizing UAE’s geothermal potential can add to its energy mix: Experts


As the world increasingly looks for environment-friendly energy sources to limit the use of fossil fuels that remain buried under the earth’s surface, one of the alternatives to such carbon-intensive combustibles also remains buried deep under the Blue Planet’s crust in the form of geothermal energy.

Geothermal sites in the UAE have significant potential to add to the country’s energy mix if harnessed and managed well, studies and experts say.

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According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), geothermal technology extracts the heat found within the subsurface of the earth and uses it directly for heating and cooling purposes.

In the UAE, the capital city of Abu Dhabi and neighboring Al Ain city have a “very important geothermal potential,” Antonio Di Cecca, the COO of utility company Tabreed told Al Arabiya in a television interview after a recent decision to link Masdar City’s district cooling to a geothermal energy source.

Tabreed provides a centralized cooling system for buildings where insulated pipes deliver chilled water to offices, industrial and residential buildings. The UAE-based company services landmark developments such as the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, Dubai Mall, theme park Ferrari World, and the Dubai Metro, to name a few.

The UAE state-run oil company ADNOC and Tabreed announced on August 14 that geothermal energy would be harnessed to account for 10 percent of Masdar City’s cooling needs.

We’ve partnered with Tabreed to harness the power of geothermal energy to decarbonize the way we cool buildings. For the first time in the region, we’ve tested two geothermal wells in Masdar City and found a potential to reduce electricity demand.

— ADNOC Group (@ADNOCGroup) August 14, 2023

The companies tested two geothermal wells that were found more than 10 years ago in the sustainability-focused residential community that will supply energy to Tabreed’s current district cooling system within the city.

The wells reportedly produce hot water at temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Celsius and flow rates of approximately 100 liters per second. The hot water generated by the heat from the wells will now pass through an absorption cooling system to produce chilled water, which will then be supplied to Tabreed’s district cooling network at Masdar City, it added.

Geothermal energy was first harnessed for a district heating system in the US in the late 1800s. Since then, the renewable and clean source of energy has been used for electricity generation and direct-use purposes such as horticulture and aquaculture.

This energy comes from the heat within the earth’s core and can provide a constant flow when harnessed. Using geothermal energy for district cooling is 20 to 30 percent more energy efficient, according to Di Cecca. “This is the first time here in the region that we are exploring a project to use geothermal energy for cooling production,” he told Al Arabiya.

The Tabreed COO said the company was using absorption technology, which does not need electricity to run.

These machines can be operated at a relatively lower cost than normal chillers because they don’t require a lot of maintenance, they are environment friendly and their efficiency is much better than traditional cooling methods, said Di Cecca, who had previously worked with French utility company Engie.

He further said: “Our aim is to explore the areas where our district cooling is already present, near the most important geothermal energy reservoirs, and see how we can scale up the size and energy mix of renewable energies, including geothermal energies, in our system.”

Viability in the UAE

The data collected from testing and managing the two geothermal sites at Masdar will aid in building knowledge and experience at a national level, said geothermics expert professor Hakim Saibi from the UAE University, in addition to lowering costs over time as technology improves.

Geothermal energy is one of the most reliable sources of energy, he told Al Arabiya English, adding that this natural energy form is sustainable if properly managed.

“If you use all of its energy in a short period of time, it can produce a lot of energy from it, but then the hot water will be depleted. So, we need to keep this balance of how much energy can be extracted from a geothermal reservoir to keep it sustainably for 30, 40 or even 60 years,” Saibi said.

The geothermal hotspot is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of the weather, he said, unlike solar energy, which is dependent on sunny days and clean skies, or wind energy, which is intermittent.

Steam rises from the Svartsengi geothermal power plant near the town of Grindavik May 12, 2008. (File photo: Reuters)

Steam rises from the Svartsengi geothermal power plant near the town of Grindavik May 12, 2008. (File photo: Reuters)

The upfront cost is high, Saibi said, but with a technique known as cascade utilization, it is possible to harness geothermal energy at various temperatures for multiple needs – from food processing and utility in greenhouses, to district cooling and heating.

The academic, whose team was commissioned by UAE University (UAEU) in 2017 to identify geothermal sites in the country, found potential in Al Ain and Ras al-Khaimah. Using exploratory methods and data from the site, a model was developed, which was published as a white paper, to be used by companies like Tabreed and ADNOC who set up systems to harness this energy.

According to Saibi, with the growing problems of climate change and carbon dioxide emissions and rising fuel prices and geopolitical tension, many countries will be looking to explore energy alternatives. One of them is certainly geothermal.

Read more:

ADNOC and Tabreed complete first phase testing of geothermal wells at Masdar City

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Top Saudi, UAE officials say energy storage, carbon capture key to energy transition

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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