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DESALINATION-
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has patented a new solar-powered water desalination system with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Wam reports. The low-cost system relies on natural evaporation and condensation processes without the need for external energy to provide pure drinking water from seawater at low cost and high quality using solar energy. This comes as the country looks for green solutions to tackle its water scarcity crisis.
How does it work? The desalination system consists of a main chamber with a sloped surface, corrugated panels, copper wires coated with a photothermal layer, reflective surfaces, and supply and collection tanks. It operates by gravity-induced flow of seawater from the tank, where water passes over the copper wires to facilitate evaporation. The system is expected to produce up to 10 litres of fresh water per day per sqm of solar absorption area.
REMEMBER- The UAE is working on different methods to tackle water scarcity: Investments in projects addressing water scarcity and heat waves are anticipated to continue to drive green bond issuances in the UAE this year. The UAE was planning to run 300 cloud seeding missions in 2024 to address water scarcity and boost rainfall. The country is also working on new research to use a desert plant native to the UAE (with the ability to extract and condense water from the humid and foggy atmosphere through salts it excretes) as a blueprint for developing new technologies for water harnessing and cloud seeding.
GREEN MOBILITY-
Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer Sany has inked an agreement with PIF-backed JV Saudi Global Ports (SGP) to supply King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam with 80 e-trucks, according to a press release. The specific investment tickets for the vehicles was not disclosed, but the transaction comes as part of a larger SAR 7 bn investment between Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and SGP to develop and operate container terminals at the port.
Dubai is getting its first hydrogen bus: Swaidan Trading Company will supply Dubai with its first eco-friendly hydrogen bus under an agreement it inked with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Monday, according to a statement from the authority.
Vietnam-based EV manufacturer sets up HQ in Dubai: The Dubai International Chamber helped VinFast Electric Cars open its regional headquarters in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Freezone through a series of stakeholder meetings, according to the Dubai Media Office. VinFast has dealer agreements in the UAE and Oman, with future plans to expand its product line in the region.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-
- Morocco gets USD 600 mn boost from World Bank to improve public services, including climate monitoring: The World Bank approved a USD 600 mn loan to boost Morocco’s public sector governance, transparency, monitoring, and performance. Part of the funds — which aim to modernize public administration through digitization and reforms in financial management — will go towards implementing performance tracking for climate impact. (Statement)
