Latest news with #SuqiaUAE
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Belgium's Sotrad Water Honoured With Global Award in Dubai for Solar-powered Drinking Water Innovation
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sotrad Water Srl from Belgium has been named the second runner-up in the Innovative Projects Award (Large Projects category) during the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award for its Pump&Drink® Hydro1000 initiative, a solar-powered water treatment and distribution solution designed to serve rural communities in Africa and beyond. Held under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), the award celebrates innovative technologies that address global water scarcity using renewable energy. It offers a total prize pool of USD 1 million and supports scalable, sustainable impact. Sotrad Water's Pump&Drink® system is a self-contained, solar-powered solution that pumps, treats, stores and distributes water from boreholes. The system is already operational in 22 countries, with over 500 units installed, including 150 in the Ivory Coast during a successful pilot phase in 2020. A full-scale rollout is now under way through 2025. Each station includes a submersible pump powered by a solar array of eight modules, as well as advanced filtration (50-130 microns) and proportional chlorination for disinfection. Treated water is stored in elevated 8,000-litre tanks, then distributed via gravity-fed taps to serve surrounding communities. The systems do not require a full-time technician and feature remote monitoring capabilities using SMS-based data transmission for real-time performance tracking. The technology has earned the "Efficient Solution" label from the Solar Impulse Foundation for its sustainable impact. Each station can produce between 10 and 30 cubic metres of clean water per day, depending on local water quality and needs. The EUR 49 million rollout includes 1,150 stations and is supported by regional water committees to ensure ongoing maintenance and local community engagement. "Solving the global water crisis requires collaboration. We cannot work in solitude or design solutions limited to one location. We must address all water uses, including agriculture, drinking water, wastewater and even cooling in data centres, together. This award acknowledges 15 years of hard work and supports our vision to expand technology transfer. It brings global innovations under one roof, which is a true reflection of Dubai's spirit. It inspires hope for a future free from water scarcity," said Raoul Antoine, General Manager of Sotrad Water. Source: AETOSWire View source version on Contacts Seen MediaMariam Mikhail+971 50 949 6795info@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
China Wins Two Global Water Awards for Breakthroughs in Sustainable Desalination
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--China has claimed two major awards during the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, highlighting the country's leadership in sustainable water solutions and youth-driven innovation. Supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the USD 1 million global award recognises efforts to address water scarcity through renewable energy and advanced technologies. Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co Ltd and Hangzhou Sunup Environmental Technology Co Ltd were named first runner-up in the Innovative Projects Award (Small Projects category) for their Microgrid Seawater Treatment system. Deployed on an isolated island, the containerised system integrates renewable energy with advanced triple-stage reverse-osmosis technology to produce 100 tonnes of clean water daily. Fully automated and remotely monitored, the microgrid includes a 100kW solar power unit and supports 500 residents through water-filling stations and community employment. The drinking water meets China's GB 5749 standards and has enabled economic activity in agriculture and tourism. "Our project aligns perfectly with the award's mission, combining renewable energy, distillation and sustainable water management. Through this platform, we hope to gain international recognition, expand our technology's reach, enhance visibility, foster collaboration and inspire continued innovation within our team," said Wang Hua, Deputy General Manager of Hangzhou Sunup Environmental Technology Co Ltd. Professor Xu Zhenyuan won the Innovative Individual Award (Youth Award category) for his Passive Solar Distillation innovation. Developed in collaboration with MIT, his modular desalination system uses layered solar evaporators and transparent aerogel insulation to passively produce more than 5.78 litres of pure drinking water per square metre on an hourly basis. The system reuses solar heat across several stages, achieving record-high efficiency even in ultra-saline conditions. Made from low-cost, widely available materials and requiring no electricity, it offers an accessible, portable solution for off-grid water access. Xu has published his research and engaged in awareness initiatives on the water-energy nexus. "The global water crisis will worsen as populations grow and human activity strains resources. This award affirms the importance of renewable energy solutions. It motivates me to move beyond academic research and focus on real-world applications that benefit communities and support a more sustainable future for all," said Professor Xu. Source: AETOSWire View source version on Contacts Seen MediaMariam Mikhail+971 50 949 6795info@
Business Wire
a day ago
- Science
- Business Wire
US Researcher Guihua Yu Wins Global Distinction for Pioneering Solar and Hydrogel Water Technologies
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Professor Guihua Yu, a leading researcher from the United States, has been awarded the Innovative Individual Award (Distinguished Researcher category) during the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. The award recognises his groundbreaking work in developing soft materials and hydrogel-based systems for solar-powered water purification and atmospheric water harvesting. Supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the USD 1 million global award honours exceptional innovations that address water scarcity through renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Professor Yu, an academic at the University of Texas and Director of the Centre for NanoTech for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, has pioneered a suite of technologies that include high-efficiency solar desalination using floating 'energy hydrogels,' atmospheric water harvesting through hygroscopic microgels and biodegradable nanocellulose-based hydrogel filters capable of removing ultrafine particles with record efficiency. His soft-material systems have achieved significant breakthroughs as the solar-powered hydrogel desalination system boasts over 95% energy efficiency under natural sunlight while the atmospheric harvester passively collects water from the air and releases it when heated by the sun. His filter technology, which requires no electricity and can be operated manually or via applied weight, offers a simple, scalable and sustainable method of water purification. With an H-index of approximately 190 and over 20 key patents in the water purification field, Professor Yu's work is widely recognised by academic and global institutions. He actively engages with the international community through lectures, guest essays and panel discussions hosted by platforms such as the World Economic Forum, BBC, Bloomberg and National Geographic, advocating sustainable water solutions and freshwater scarcity. 'As the global population and economy grow and climate change accelerates, the demand for clean energy and clean water becomes increasingly urgent. Developing effective solutions for sustainable water management is one of today's greatest challenges. I appreciate His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for establishing this visionary award. It is a noble initiative that raises global awareness about the importance of water solutions and helps make this vital resource accessible to communities around the world,' said Professor Yu.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
US Researcher Guihua Yu Wins Global Distinction for Pioneering Solar and Hydrogel Water Technologies
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Professor Guihua Yu, a leading researcher from the United States, has been awarded the Innovative Individual Award (Distinguished Researcher category) during the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. The award recognises his groundbreaking work in developing soft materials and hydrogel-based systems for solar-powered water purification and atmospheric water harvesting. Supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the USD 1 million global award honours exceptional innovations that address water scarcity through renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Professor Yu, an academic at the University of Texas and Director of the Centre for NanoTech for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, has pioneered a suite of technologies that include high-efficiency solar desalination using floating "energy hydrogels," atmospheric water harvesting through hygroscopic microgels and biodegradable nanocellulose-based hydrogel filters capable of removing ultrafine particles with record efficiency. His soft-material systems have achieved significant breakthroughs as the solar-powered hydrogel desalination system boasts over 95% energy efficiency under natural sunlight while the atmospheric harvester passively collects water from the air and releases it when heated by the sun. His filter technology, which requires no electricity and can be operated manually or via applied weight, offers a simple, scalable and sustainable method of water purification. With an H-index of approximately 190 and over 20 key patents in the water purification field, Professor Yu's work is widely recognised by academic and global institutions. He actively engages with the international community through lectures, guest essays and panel discussions hosted by platforms such as the World Economic Forum, BBC, Bloomberg and National Geographic, advocating sustainable water solutions and freshwater scarcity. "As the global population and economy grow and climate change accelerates, the demand for clean energy and clean water becomes increasingly urgent. Developing effective solutions for sustainable water management is one of today's greatest challenges. I appreciate His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for establishing this visionary award. It is a noble initiative that raises global awareness about the importance of water solutions and helps make this vital resource accessible to communities around the world," said Professor Yu. Source: AETOSWire View source version on Contacts Seen MediaMariam Mikhail+971509496795info@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Mohammed bin Rashid honours Water Award winners
The ceremony, held at Emirates Towers in Dubai, was attended by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Overseen by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), the Award is organised under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. In its fourth edition, 12 winners from eight countries were recognised, with total prize money of $1 million. The Award features four main categories: Innovative Projects, Innovative Research and Development, Innovative Individual, and Innovative Crisis Solutions. On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that the UAE remains committed to expanding its humanitarian impact and leveraging innovation to improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said, 'Humanity today faces numerous challenges, and the scarcity of clean water is among the most pressing. We are committed to driving innovation to deliver sustainable solutions that advance the UAE's vision of harnessing technology to serve humanity and extend support to communities suffering from water scarcity.' His Highness added, 'We take pride in the contributions of our institutions in this vital field, and we will continue to support every project, idea or innovation that makes a real difference in people's lives. Our message is humanitarian, our tools are knowledge and innovation, and our goal is to ensure the UAE's support reaches those who need it most, wherever they are.' In his speech during the honouring ceremony, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia UAE, expressed his gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for honouring the winners of the fourth edition of the Award and for His Highness's continued support for humanitarian and development efforts. Al Tayer affirmed that the Award reflects His Highness's vision of fostering practical, forward-thinking solutions that address critical global needs. He noted that it also highlights the UAE's and Dubai's unwavering commitment to contributing to global efforts to combat water scarcity, one of the most pressing challenges facing communities worldwide. According to United Nations reports, 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, he noted. UNICEF also highlights that more than 1,000 children under the age of five die each day from diseases linked to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. Many communities around the world continue to face severe shortages of clean water. He added, 'As Suqia UAE marks its 10th anniversary, it has successfully implemented over 1,000 sustainable water projects in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent and other partners, positively impacting the lives of around 15 million people across 37 countries. These efforts have demonstrated that innovative solutions are key to addressing the global water crisis." The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award—named after an inspirational leader and beacon of hope—serves as a global platform that reinforces the UAE's pioneering role in humanitarian work, grounded in the noble values instilled by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This legacy, he added, continues under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who said that 'The UAE remains dedicated to supporting hope and inspiring initiatives, serving as a champion of optimism in the Arab world.' Al Tayer added, 'Guided by the vision and directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award has become a focal point for companies, research centres, institutions, and innovators around the world, given its significant humanitarian and developmental impact. The Award encourages individuals and research institutions to develop innovative, sustainable solutions for the production, desalination, and purification of water using clean energy sources." In its first three editions, the Award recognised a total of 31 winners from 22 countries. The fourth edition attracted applications from 46 countries. Today, the Award honoured 12 winners from eight countries for presenting pioneering innovations that help address the challenge of water scarcity and provide safe drinking water to the most vulnerable communities. The winners of the 'Innovative Projects Award – Large Projects' are Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC from the UAE, which secured first place for its LANDCO Tech project, which converts organic waste and wastewater into renewable energy, clean drinking water, and bio-fertilisers. The system employs COMBO containers and LANDCO modules powered by solar energy and biogas, integrating AI and blockchain technologies. It has a treatment capacity of 100m³ per day. Second place was awarded to the Sustainability Investment Promotion and Development Joint Stock Company (SIPCO) from Vietnam for its initiative to provide safe drinking water to vulnerable schools and communities. The project uses ceramic impregnated nano-silver pot filters (CSPF) to effectively remove bacteria, viruses, and sediments, benefiting millions globally in a cost-efficient manner. Third place went to Sotrad Water Srl from Belgium for its Pump&Drink® - Hydro1000 solution, a solar-powered system that pumps, treats, stores, and distributes drinking water sustainably. The system is already operational and serves over 200,000 people. Winners of the 'Innovative Projects Award – Small Projects' are the Kumulus SAS from France, which took first place for its 'Kumulus Water – Drinking Water From Air' project. The solar-powered device uses a patented hybrid system to produce around 30 litres of drinking water per day and can be scaled to meet local demand, particularly in schools and rural communities. Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co Ltd, in partnership with Hangzhou Sunup Environmental Technology Co Ltd from China, received second place for their Intelligent Microgrid Seawater Treatment project. Using reverse osmosis and powered by solar or wind energy, the system produces up to 100 tonnes of water daily and supports the residents of ZS Island in China. Third place was awarded to FountAir LTD from Hong Kong for its AIR4WATER project—described as 'The Invisible Solution'. This split VAC-WG system, powered by renewable energy, can provide up to 150 litres of water daily and is being implemented in several countries. Winners of the 'Innovative Research and Development Award – International Institutions' are STEM SAS from France, which took first place for its AQUAHIVE system, an energy-efficient and high-performance membrane distillation technology that uses solar, geothermal, or waste heat energy. The AI-optimised, patented heat exchange process significantly reduces carbon footprint and has a treatment capacity of 0.3m³ per hour. The Energy and Water Company (ENOWA) – NEOM from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia received second place for its innovative project that enables the extraction of valuable minerals—such as salt, lithium, and bromine—while recovering desalinated water from seawater or brackish brine. The solar-powered pilot facility, located at the Duba Desalination Plant, operates at 1,200m³ per day and reduces energy consumption compared to traditional methods. For the 'Innovative Research and Development Award – National Institutions', Khalifa University from the UAE earned first place for its Biomimetic Freshwater Generator for Solar Desalination without Brine Discharge. The system replicates the natural evaporation process of mangrove trees to generate freshwater from seawater while collecting salt as a byproduct, eliminating brine discharge. Using 10 units, the system can produce over five litres of water per day. For the 'Innovative Crisis Solutions Award', first place was awarded to SkyJuice Foundation Inc from Australia for its SkyHydrant Emergency Safe Water Solution. This lightweight, portable ultrafiltration system produces more than 5,000 litres of potable water daily and has been deployed in 74 countries to support communities facing crises and natural disasters. For the 'Innovative Individual Award – Distinguished Research Award', Professor Guihua Yu from the United States received first place for his breakthrough technologies in solar-powered water purification and atmospheric water harvesting. His contributions include solar desalination using energy hydrogels, a solar-powered atmospheric water harvester, and biodegradable nanocellulose-based hydrogel filters. He holds more than 20 patents and leads a research centre at the University of Texas focused on sustainability and water innovation. For the 'Innovative Individual Award – Youth Award', Zhenyuan Xu from China was awarded first place for his Passive Solar Distillation system, which delivers ultra-high efficiency and extreme salt resistance. The system can produce more than 1.5 gallons of fresh water per hour per square metre of solar collection area. Affordable and field-tested, it supports sustainable development goals through education and community engagement.
