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MINERALS-
Chinese firms kick off operations at mineral extraction plants in KSA: Two Chinese firms commissioned by the Saudi state-owned Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) have begun operations on two salt and mineral extraction plants in Ras Al Khair, Asharq Al Awsat reports. The companies are looking to extract minerals from brine generated from the seawater desalination process, including sodium chloride (common salt), magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, and bromine in a bid to meet as much as 40% of the kingdom’s salt demands. Chloride is an inexpensive fluid that can be used for thermal energy storage, bromine battery storage systems provide affordable and highly efficient energy storage systems, and magnesium chloride’s high energy storage density is also leveraged as phase change material in CSP solar systems. SWCC’s plants are expected to reduce its waste generation output from desalination operations.
KSA is going big on brine repurposing: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and Ma’aden are co-investing in green tech startup Lithium Infinity as part of plans to secure lithium reserves from seawater, brine, and red mud.
POLICY-
OECD + KSA ink agreement on energy cooperation: The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has signed an MoU with Saudi Arabia to collaborate on 19 policy areas across KSA’s reform agenda, including energy security and a transition to low-carbon, according to a statement. Saudi Arabia is already part of nine OECD committees and follows seven of the organization’s legal instruments.
The OECD is also partnering with other regional players: Egypt began working with the OECD in October to hammer out a framework for issuing green, blue, infrastructure, and other sustainable bonds on behalf of government entities.
SOLAR-
Trina Solar launches new rooftop solar modules in UAE: Chinese solar panel manufacturer Trina Solar has begun the rollout of its NEG18R.28 Vertex S+ 505W rooftop modules in the UAE, according to a statement. The company said last month it plans to invest USD 5 bn to set up a PV manufacturing base in the UAE. The dual-glass modules — which have a 22.7% efficiency rate — are designed to accommodate commercial and industrial applications given their light weight of 23 kg, the company notes. Trina is extending a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year power warranty for its rooftop arrays.
REMEMBER- Trina has been ramping up its activities in the UAE: The Chinese firm inked an MoU with AD Ports and China-based investment firm Jiangsu Provincial Overseas Cooperation and Investment (JOCIC) back in October to build a large-scale PV manufacturing base in Abu Dhabi. Trina also delivered 800 MW of solar modules to Abu Dhabi’s 2 GW Al Dhafra solar plant.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-
- ACR moves onto ACX CMB: The American Carbon Registry (ACR) listed its inaugural carbon credits on Abu Dhabi Global Market’s ACX Carbon Market Board (ACX CMB). The listing will see ACR-standard Rebellion Energy Solution ’s carbon credits trading on ACX CMB, the digital trading platform designed for over-the-counter carbon credit transactions. (Statement)
- Saudi + UNEP partner on energy: Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry has signed an agreement with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) on boosting renewable energy use and environmental protection. KSA’s Environment Ministry has also partnered with the Dutch Agriculture Ministry on agriculture and nature conservation. (Statement)
