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Clean energy in GCC: Building Smart Tech and Platforms To Reduce Carbon Footprint | |
| Radhika Laghate |
Traditional fossil fuels, aside from being difficult and expensive to extract and transport, also cause severe environmental harm.
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The ongoing European energy crisis has highlighted the need for resilient energy supply systems and the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources. Traditional fossil fuels, aside from being difficult and expensive to extract and transport, also cause severe environmental harm. Renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, offers a viable alternative as they are affordable, inexhaustible, and contribute to energy sovereignty and decarbonisation goals. Additionally, green hydrogen is emerging as a promising fuel for the energy transition.
One area where renewable energy can make a significant impact is in the operation of data centres. With the increasing demand for online services, data centres are responsible for a significant portion of global emissions. However, innovations in data centre design, power, and cooling provide opportunities to reduce energy consumption and cut CO2 emissions by powering these facilities with clean, renewable energy sources.
On-site generation of energy is another effective approach, particularly for large manufacturing plants or campuses. Generating energy on-site eliminates transmission losses and reduces dependency on the grid, resulting in higher efficiency and reduced emissions. Combining solar power with battery systems can significantly decrease fuel consumption while ensuring energy supply security.
In the residential sector, district cooling networks offer a more efficient alternative to cooling individual units. These networks consume less electricity, emit less CO2, and achieve higher energy efficiency compared to traditional air conditioning systems.
Green hydrogen, produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy, holds great potential for multiple applications, including transportation, power generation, and industry. It can contribute to decarbonizing heavy industry, long-haul freight, shipping, and aviation.
High Cost of Implementing Renewable Energy Projects Can Be a Barrier
The Middle East is taking significant steps towards renewable energy adoption, hosting some of the largest solar plants in the world and aiming to power entire cities with renewable energy. Renewable energy not only helps reduce CO2 emissions but also supports global commitments. However, the transition requires the integration of technology, such as digital O&M platforms, smart building technology, and AI and machine learning tools, to optimize asset performance, energy efficiency, and maintenance.
The high cost of implementing renewable energy projects can be a barrier for organizations. Innovative financing solutions, such as the Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model, Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS), and Utilities-as-a-Service, transfer the burden of implementing and operating these projects to specialized energy development companies. This allows organizations to benefit from renewable energy without the upfront costs and risks associated with the projects.
This emphasizes the importance of renewable energy sources as a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. It highlights various sectors, including data centers, manufacturing plants, residential buildings, and transportation, where renewable energy adoption can significantly reduce emissions and contribute to a low-carbon economy. Additionally, innovative financing models and the integration of technology play crucial roles in accelerating the global energy transition and making renewable energy accessible to a wide range of organizations and individuals.