Energy Efficiency As Climate Change Mitigation Tool for Middle East

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

The Middle East is the largest oil-exporting region in the world. Around 85 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions come from energy production, electricity generation, industrial sector and domestic energy consumption. Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia figure among the world’s top-10 per capita carbon emitters. Without a change in energy policies and energy consumption behavior, Middle East’s energy-related GHG emissions will continue to grow.

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

The Middle East region has the highest per capita carbon footprint in the world which can be offset by mass deployment of energy-efficient systems. An improved energy efficiency plan for MENA region (in both supply and use) will help in mitigating the domestic and global environmental impact of energy by reducing both atmospheric particulate matter and GHG emissions.

See on www.ecomena.org

Exploring Solar Power in Morocco

See on Scoop.it – Renewables

The Moroccan Solar Plan is regarded as a milestone on the country’s path towards a secure and sustainable energy supply which is clean, green and affordable. The world’s largest and most ambitious solar energy plan with investment of USD 9billion is meant to generate 2,000 MW of solar power by the year 2020 by building mega-scale solar power projects at five locations

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

The first plant, under the Moroccan Solar Plan, will be commissioned in 2014, and the entire project is expected to be complete in 2019. Once completed, the solar project is expected to provide almost one-fifth of Morocco’s annual electricity generation. Morocco, the only African country to have a power cable link to Europe, is also a key player in Mediterranean Solar Plan and Desertec Industrial Initiative. 

See on www.cleantechloops.com

Resource Base for Biogas Production in Middle East

See on Scoop.it – Energy Blog

Anaerobic digestion (or biogas technology) is the natural biological process which stabilizes organic waste in the absence of air and transforms it into biofertilizer and biogas. It is a reliable t…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

A wide range of organic substances are anaerobically easily degradable without major pretreatment. Among these are leachates, slops, sludges, oils, fats or whey. Some wastes can form inhibiting metabolites (e.g.NH3) during anaerobic digestion which require higher dilutions with substrates like manure or sewage sludge.

See on www.ecomena.org

Green Economy Potential in Jordan

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

The global financial recession triggered serious debate among many countries in revealing the causes behind failures and in innovating affordable solutions. Seeking “transformational” e…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Jordan has identified clean energy and green investments as new clusters to boost economic development, provide green jobs, and sustain natural resources. As the first country in the MENA region to conduct a national green economy scoping study, Jordan has identified several opportunities to kick off the green clusters including renewable energy and energy efficiency, water and waste-water management, solid waste, green buildings, ecotourism, transportation etc.

See on www.ecomena.org

Water Scarcity in Egypt

See on Scoop.it – Water Board

Egypt has been suffering from severe water scarcity in recent years. Uneven water distribution, misuse of water resources and inefficient irrigation techniques are some of the major factors playing…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Water issue in Egypt is rapidly assuming alarming proportion. By the year 2020, Egypt will be consuming 20 percent more water than it has. With its loosening grip on the Nile, water scarcity could endanger the country’s stability and regional dominance.

See on www.ecomena.org

Solar-Powered Desalination in Middle East

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Conventional large-scale desalination is cost-prohibitive and energy-intensive, and not viable for poor countries in the MENA region due to increasing costs of fossil fuels. In addition, the enviro…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

Seawater desalination powered by concentrated solar power offers an attractive opportunity for Middle East countries to ensure affordable, sustainable and secure freshwater supply. The growing water deficit in the region is fuelling regional conflicts, political instability and environmental degradation. 

See on www.ecomena.org

Wastes as Energy Resource

See on Scoop.it – Fostering Sustainable Development

The tremendous increase in the quantum and diversity of waste materials generated by human activities has focused the spotlight on waste disposal methods. Waste generation rates are affected by sta…

Salman Zafar‘s insight:

The implementation of advanced waste conversion technologies as a method for safe disposal of solid and liquid biomass wastes, and as an attractive option to generate heat, power and fuels, can greatly reduce environmental impacts of a wide array of wastes. 

See on www.ecomena.org