ABU DHABI – The opening day Tuesday of the three-day World Future Energy Summit 2013 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center highlighted the need for forging eco-friendly sustainable solutions. GE, for one, is supporting the sustainable development initiatives of the Middle East region with a showcase of its advanced concentrated solar panels and Jenbacher gas engines, among other green technologies. Putting the spotlight on its ecomagination initiative to build innovative solutions addressing today's environmental challenges while driving economic growth, GE is underlining its technological competencies in providing clean and sustainable solutions, especially for the power and water sector, at the exhibition. GE's technologies complement the goals of the regional governments, including the UAE, to diversify their energy sources, promote advanced energy-efficient solutions, wastewater treatment and desalination, and minimize the overall carbon footprint. GE's concentrated solar panel and Jenbacher landfill gas engines are both cost-effective, high output and sustainable solutions that meet the requirements of the region. Nabil Habayeb, President & CEO, GE Middle East, North Africa & Turkey, said: “With over 80 years of partnership, especially in the key sectors of energy, power, water, aviation and healthcare, GE understand the growth aspirations of the region. Today, there is a stronger focus on promoting clean, renewable and sustainable solutions that reduce the region's dependency on traditional energy sources. With demand for power and water growing in line with the increase in population and the ongoing infrastructure development, it is important to develop localized solutions that strengthen energy and water use efficiency.” On the other hand, Hansgrohe, one of the leading manufacturers of bathroom fittings and showerheads, is demonstrating how consumers and developers can easily save water and protect the climate with its pioneering EcoSmart technology. The interactive Eco Home is designed to showcase simple ways that consumers and developers can create a sustainable home. Hansgrohe's technology is featured among a number of innovative eco-friendly solutions from companies around the world that are at the forefront of sustainable technology and comply with Estidama – the sustainable building and construction standards authority in Abu Dhabi. Hansgrohe's mixers and showerheads fitted with the EcoSmart technology consume up to 60 percent less water than conventional products without any loss of comfort. Lower hot water consumption also means a reduced energy requirement, resulting in lower CO2 emissions and lower costs. Its mixers go beyond the minimum requirements set by Estidama to deliver 5 l/min, instead of the minimum 6 l/m. Sophisticated flow limitation, special spray jets and the mixing of water with air reduce water consumption down to either 6 or 9 l/min depending on the diameter of the shower, while offering lots of shower comfort and saving energy, as less water needs to be heated. This is an essential technology for the Middle East and in particular the UAE, which is one of the top three countries with the largest per capita ecological footprints in the world, along with Qatar and Kuwait. And 72 percent of the nation's water use comes from groundwater, which is being extracted at 23 times its recharge rate. Experts fear those reserves will be depleted in just 20 years, especially with a rapidly growing population. Dirk Schilmoeller, Sales Director Middle East for Hansgrohe, said: “We are now definitely witnessing a genuine drive of new development projects in pursuing increasingly higher levels of sustainability. Water is a precious resource and, as a manufacturer of mixers and showers, it is our passion to seek groundbreaking innovative solutions that improve the use of water.” — SG
