Water Security & Clean Energy Forum drives climate-tech action in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE – In a groundbreaking effort to address the pressing water and energy challenges faced by Abu Dhabi and the wider country, the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), along with its subsidiaries ASPIRE and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), has partnered with the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) to launch the Water Security & Clean Energy Forum. This transformative initiative aims to bring together government and private sector entities to drive action on climate technology.

Aligned with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, the forum convened industry regulators, operators, scientists, researchers, and sustainability leaders to explore advanced technology solutions ahead of the highly anticipated COP28. The forum featured a series of workshops focused on Water Security and Technology, New Sources of Energy Production, and Clean Energy Production Technologies. These sessions fostered insightful discussions among C-suite participants from various sectors, shedding light on use cases and defining the parameters of the challenges at hand.

Eng. Awaidha Murshed Ali Al Marar, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, emphasized the department’s commitment to working closely with strategic partners to achieve shared sustainability goals. Recognizing the pivotal role of technology in unlocking future sustainability solutions, Al Marar highlighted the importance of collaboration and the acceleration of progress in the energy and water sectors.

The Department of Energy in Abu Dhabi has taken a leading role in ensuring water sustainability and efficient utilization. Through the issuance of regulations and policies, the department aims to derive significant benefits from recycled water and support national efforts to preserve water resources. Al Marar emphasized the essential contribution of multiple stakeholders, including various economic industries and individuals, in the development of vital policies that enhance water security and promote responsible consumption.

Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of ATRC, underscored the significance of the Water Security & Clean Energy Forum as a platform for stakeholders to leverage advanced technologies collectively. With a mission to redefine research and development in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, ATRC aims to accelerate transformative technology outcomes for a sustainable and prosperous future. Al Bannai emphasized that the forum sets the stage for a cleaner and more secure future for water and energy, benefiting individuals and society as a whole.

The forum’s workshops provided pragmatic insights into areas of future technology focus. The session on Water Security and Technology explored challenges related to water quality and chemistry in desalination plants, seeking viable methods to improve wastewater purification systems and reduce operating costs. Another workshop, New Sources of Energy Production, examined the implementation of geothermal, wind, and biosolid utilization as potential energy sources, aiming to diversify the country’s energy mix and significantly reduce its carbon footprint. The final workshop, Clean Energy Production Technologies, addressed key issues such as carbon impact reduction in hydrocarbon fuels, industrial-scale carbon capture technologies, deployment of smaller modular reactors (SMRs), and hydrogen production for export and internal use.

Prof. Phil Hart, Chief Researcher at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research Center (RSERC), TII, praised the UAE’s leadership in driving a sustainable future in the Middle East. Through strategic partnerships and forward-looking initiatives, the country is accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies to reduce emissions and ensure the responsible use of resources.

The Water Security and Clean Energy Forum, held at the Rosewood Hotel in Abu Dhabi, provided a platform for nearly 100 government and private sector experts to contribute to the UAE’s sustainable development. Participants included esteemed organizations such as TAQA, ADNOC, ENEC, TRANSCO, EWEC, SWS, Masdar, AADC, ADDC, and EAD, among others. Through collaboration, the forum identified technology gaps and breakthrough solutions, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.