Latest news with #WorldUtilitiesCongress
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Make-A-Wish, Taqa bring hope to critically ill kids
Make-A-Wish UAE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TAQA to strengthen corporate social responsibility and bring hope to children battling critical illnesses through collaborative initiatives. The signing ceremony took place at the TAQA Stand (Arena) during the World Utilities Congress held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Hani Al Zubaidi, CEO of Make-A-Wish UAE, and Hamad Al Hajri, Chief Corporate Support Officer of TAQA, alongside senior executives and representatives from both organisations. This strategic partnership aims to expand institutional humanitarian efforts by collaborating on impactful initiatives that provide emotional and psychological support to children and their families. The MoU also reflects TAQA's deep-rooted commitment to social responsibility and opens the door to a range of future initiatives in partnership with Make-A-Wish UAE, including volunteering opportunities for TAQA employees to actively contribute to wish-granting activities and events. Commenting on the occasion, Hani Al Zubaidi stated, "This MoU embodies our shared vision with TAQA to inspire hope and joy in the hearts of children facing critical illnesses, and to enhance the role of government-related entities in championing humanitarian causes. "We are grateful for TAQA's generous commitment and belief in our mission, and we are confident that this partnership will lead to meaningful, lasting impact in the lives of our wish children and their families.' Hamad Al Hajri stated, 'Sustainability extends beyond environmental protection; it is also about how we care for our communities. Make-A-Wish UAE supports children and families during some of their most difficult moments, and through this partnership, we can channel our resources towards that purpose. Every child deserves moments of joy, and we are honoured to contribute to a cause that brings hope where it is needed most.' The MoU serves as a model for corporate-community collaboration, paving the way for a series of programmes and events tailored for children with critical illnesses. It reinforces Make-A-Wish UAE's position as a leading humanitarian organisation and underscores TAQA's ongoing support of impactful community-driven initiatives.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Make-A-Wish UAE, TAQA cooperate to foster community engagement
30 May 2025 11:57 ABU DHABI (WAM)Make-A-Wish UAE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TAQA to strengthen corporate social responsibility and bring hope to children battling critical illnesses through collaborative signing ceremony took place at the TAQA Stand (Arena) during the World Utilities Congress held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Hani Al Zubaidi, CEO of Make-A-Wish UAE, and Hamad Al Hajri, Chief Corporate Support Officer of TAQA, alongside senior executives and representatives from both strategic partnership aims to expand institutional humanitarian efforts by collaborating on impactful initiatives that provide emotional and psychological support to children and their MoU also reflects TAQA's deep-rooted commitment to social responsibility and opens the door to a range of future initiatives in partnership with Make-A-Wish UAE, including volunteering opportunities for TAQA employees to actively contribute to wish-granting activities and on the occasion, Hani Al Zubaidi stated, "This MoU embodies our shared vision with TAQA to inspire hope and joy in the hearts of children facing critical illnesses, and to enhance the role of government-related entities in championing humanitarian are grateful for TAQA's generous commitment and belief in our mission, and we are confident that this partnership will lead to meaningful, lasting impact in the lives of our wish children and their families.'Hamad Al Hajri stated, 'Sustainability extends beyond environmental protection; it is also about how we care for our communities. Make-A-Wish UAE supports children and families during some of their most difficult moments, and through this partnership, we can channel our resources towards that purpose. Every child deserves moments of joy, and we are honoured to contribute to a cause that brings hope where it is needed most.' The MoU serves as a model for corporate-community collaboration, paving the way for a series of programs and events tailored for children with critical illnesses. It reinforces Make-A-Wish UAE's position as a leading humanitarian organisation and underscores TAQA's ongoing support of impactful community-driven initiatives. Year of Community Continue full coverage
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
AI-powered energy control platform AD.WE to transform Abu Dhabi's utilities sector
30 May 2025 00:53 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has entered into a strategic partnership with Presight and AIQ, marking a significant step toward integrated, AI-enabled energy management aimed at enhancing efficiency and during the World Utilities Congress in the UAE capital earlier this week, the agreement will see the development of an advanced AI-driven control centre platform. will deliver real-time analytics to support and optimise the energy and utilities sector across Abu Dhabi's Presight, an international big data analytics company powered by GenAI, has developed the smart platform that would manage the integrated to Aletihad, Dr. Adel Al Sharji, Chief Operating Officer of Presight, said, 'The platform will contribute to optimising energy use and production lines.' Using AI to manage facilities and infrastructure can streamline various operations, contributing to the emirate's sustainability goals, Al Sharji said. He cited its impact on the agriculture sector — managing energy and water resources in farms — as an example. 'With AI and sensors, we can track weather conditions, like dust or humidity, and apply algorithms to protect crops and conserve energy,' he said. "These IoT sensors gather data, feed it into our AI platform, which interacts with the information and applies specific procedures based on different scenarios."In this case, the outcomes are clear: savings in energy, water, and increased agricultural productivity, Al Sharji said. 'Farms can see improved yields and better resource allocation regardless of their distance."One of the project's main goals, he added, is to ensure "effective management that allows global energy companies to safely present ideas and experiments on the platform.''If these ideas succeed, they will be implemented by the Department of Energy,' Al Sharji said. The collaboration further involves the introduction of an AI Lab-as-a-Service, enabling energy companies in Abu Dhabi to test, confirm, and roll out artificial intelligence solutions within their processes for various application the agreement covers the establishment of a primary data hub which will consolidate all data under the purview of the DoE and sector companies, serving as a single and trusted source of an interview with Aletihad, Dr. Adel Bin Subaih, Chief Operations Officer at AIQ, said the company will work hand in hand with DoE and Presight to build the state-of-the-art platform that consolidates necessary data and insights.'This will improve the Department of Energy's operational efficiency and productivity, giving them a full picture on how to reduce operating costs,' Bin Subaih a joint venture between G42, Presight, and ADNOC, is pioneering and developing complex AI solutions for the energy currently has three primary offerings in its portfolio. 'We have one called SMARTi, which focuses on protecting people and enhancing safety. Another product is EMISSIONX—this helps monitor and advise on decarbonisation efforts, directly contributing to the UAE's and Abu Dhabi's 2050 sustainability goals,' Dr. Bin Subaih said. The third key product, the Corrosion Suite, 'is designed to protect assets rather than people.''It monitors pipeline infrastructure and provides recommendations on preventive maintenance, helping safeguard utilities and facilities,' Dr. Bin Subaih said. These three solutions—Smart Eye, Emission X, and CORROSCAN—are now being integrated into the newly signed agreement alongside the real-time digital platform.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
World Utilities Congress 2025: Exhibitors and speakers show how innovation is powering the future of utilities
30 May 2025 00:16 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Exhibitors and speakers at the World Utilities Congress 2025 offered Aletihad insights into breakthrough technologies and bold strategies redefining the future of Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has introduced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) drone-mounted technology that has been used in detection of underground water leaks at depths up to 40 metres without the need to dig Lead Researcher Luciano Oliveira said: 'The origin of TII SAR began with a clear and urgent challenge: how can we see what's happening beneath the surface accurately, efficiently and at scale?'TII's drone-based SAR differs from conventional satellites with its low altitude - a flexible way of operating and deeper ground penetration.'We integrated SAR into UAV platforms, allowing for high-resolution subsurface imaging,' he how it works, Oliveira added: 'TII SAR sees underground using radar waves. When water leaks, it changes the soil's properties, much like how a cloth darkens when wet. With AI, we can distinguish actual leaks from natural moisture and detect issues long before they reach the surface.'He highlighted the system's precision: 'We combined long-wavelength radar with drone flexibility. It is capable of identifying buried features, including moisture anomalies and underground structures.'After field testing, Oliveira said the tool 'performed well in detecting subsurface changes across different environmental conditions.'This technology reduces non-revenue water loss and boosts infrastructure efficiency.'Presenting the breakthrough at the World Utilities Congress, Oliveira said: 'We are not just unveiling a new tool; we are presenting a strategic solution to global challenges around infrastructure resilience and water security.'François Xavier Boul, Managing Director for ENGIE's Renewables and Batteries division in the MENA region, highlighted the company's focus on developing large-scale solar PV, battery storage systems and low-carbon desalination to help decarbonise critical infrastructure and support national transition the Congress, ENGIE highlighted its full project lifecycle capabilities: 'We are developing, financing, constructing, owning and operating power and water projects. We bring the most advanced technologies and secure projects from the early stages,' he said ENGIE's current projects include photovoltaic (PV), wind and battery storage projects, as well as advanced reverse osmosis (RO) desalination technologies.'Batteries are evolving fast - similar to how PV progressed a decade ago,' he is also exploring high-efficiency gas turbines with lower carbon footprints to support decarbonisation goals.'We are offering decarbonised solutions throughout the energy chain,' Boul said. 'That is the future.'He also highlighted the shifting trends in the energy sector in Abu Dhabi.'Abu Dhabi has been a pioneer. There has always been a strong focus on energy efficiency, and the grid here is among the most efficient in the world. With more renewables and nuclear coming online, Abu Dhabi continues to lead the energy transition.'He pointed to rising investments in grid stability and battery storage, including ENGIE's recent 800 MWh bid: 'We're seeing more battery deployment as part of building the energy systems of the future.'Boul added: 'The future is decarbonised. ENGIE's 2045 net zero target is one of the world's most ambitious - and we are on track, pushing boundaries to deliver innovative, low-carbon solutions.'Charles-Edouard Mellagui, CEO of the Cable Business Unit at Ducab, explained the company's vital role in clean energy: 'Without our cables, this transition cannot happen. You can build capacities, but you cannot use them unless power is transmitted.'Ducab aligns with the UAE's 2030 energy vision.'We are part of the UAE's mission to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 - from 4,000 to 12,000 gigawatts,' he said, but warned, 'Copper is limited. That is why circular economy and innovation are crucial.'He highlighted rising energy demand driven by AI: 'A Chat GPT query consumes 3MWh compared to 0.3 for a Google search. That's 10 times more power. This is a megatrend.'On grid reliability, he said: 'Solar and wind are intermittent. We need storage and intelligence to avoid waste… That is the power of interconnectivity.'Mellagui continued: 'Our focus is on sustainable solutions, not just products… What if there's no copper left? That's why recycling is our future.'Factories emit CO2, but that CO2 can become a resource… It is not waste; it is opportunity,' he added.'Sustainability, interconnectivity, smart energy, storage and carbon capture - these are the pillars shaping the future of energy.'Speaking at the World Utilities Congress 2025, Oxana Dankova, Partner and Global Lead of Energy Networks at BCG, outlined how technology and consumer behaviour are reshaping energy systems.'The concept of flexibility today is about solving two key challenges,' she said.'First, matching supply and demand in time. Second, maintaining the grid's stability as we scale volatile renewables.'She stressed the importance of digital solutions: 'AI is essential. We need to simulate and react in real time... and no human can do that manually.'On storage, she said: 'Storage helps shift generation to meet demand, and it can inject power instantly to stabilise the grid.'Noting the infrastructure hurdles, Dankova said: 'We need to build five to six times more grid… That creates huge pressure on supply chains and skilled labour.'She added: 'Hydrogen could be a long-term storage solution… But the cost of electrolysers must drop.' Turning to the future, she noted: 'Abu Dhabi has the land, sun and ambition… Consumer flexibility - like when we charge EVs - will help us avoid overburdening the grid.'
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi, Global Climate Finance Centre sign MoU on energy, water efficiency, climate finance
29 May 2025 17:00 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC).The agreement was signed during the 2025 World Utilities Congress, at a high-level consultation co-convened by the DoE and GCFC in preparation for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. GCFC has been formally mandated to lead the Finance Track of the agreement was witnessed by Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Department of Energy (DoE), and Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and memorandum was signed by Ahmed Al Falasi, Energy Efficiency Sector Executive Director, and Mercedes Vela Monserrate CEO of GCFC, in the presence of several directors and senior officials from both this occasion, Ahmed Al Falasi, Energy Efficiency Sector Executive Director, stated, 'This agreement represents a strategic milestone in our ongoing efforts to drive the transition toward a sustainable economic model that helps address climate change challenges. We recognise the importance of activating partnerships with leading institutions such as the Global Climate Finance Centre, given their pivotal role in enhancing our capacity to develop pioneering projects and enabling innovative and flexible financing solutions that benefit both the economy and society.'He added, 'We look forward to implementing high-impact initiatives through this collaboration, starting with supporting projects such as 'Cooling as a Service', and moving toward building an effective ecosystem that includes government entities, the private sector, and the community at large.''As we look ahead to the 2026 UN Water Conference, which the UAE will co-host, we are committed to deepening partnerships that deliver measurable progress and scalable innovation in energy and water efficiency, in line with our national priorities.'Mercedes Vela Monserrate, CEO of GCFC, stated, 'This agreement reflects the work already underway between GCFC and the Department of Energy to develop financing mechanisms for energy and water efficiency. It also formalises our collaboration as we lead the Finance Track for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Our focus is on mobilising capital, supporting regulatory frameworks, and delivering practical solutions through a strong pipeline of investable projects.'The MoU seeks to strengthen bilateral partnership through support for the implementation of Abu Dhabi's Finance Strategy and reinforce the Emirate's position as a leading hub for climate finance and innovation. It also aims to build institutional capacities, exchange knowledge and information, and scale financing for energy and water efficiency projects, including behavioral change and environmental conservation MoU outlines specific areas of cooperation, including: Development of financing instruments for energy and water efficiency infrastructure; Capital structuring tools such as guarantees, linked loans, and bond frameworks; Technical support and capacity-building for regulators, project developers, and financial institutions; Policy and regulatory alignment to support investment-readiness; High-level convenings to support pipeline development and institutional coordination. GCFC and the DoE will also work together to align financing solutions with Abu Dhabi's strategic priorities and help position the Emirate as a regional leader in climate finance.
