Yesterday’s Solution = Today’s Problem, Today’s Solution = Tomorrow’s Problem Integrated Water Management for Authorities

Sneak preview of the full abstract to be presented at IDA World Conference in Dubai later this month...

ABSTRACT   

Today, many countries are progressing with the de-coupling of water and power production, leading to the increased use of RO technology and a shift away from reliable co-generation solutions. However, co-generation demands the burning of fossil fuels also during winter seasons to produce water, when power demand is less than the produced capacity, when using such technology.

The rapidly decrease of Capex for renewable energy sources and the emergence of significant improvements in energy storage capabilities of advent technologies has furthermore allowed a shift towards sustainable energy management for the power intensive RO technology to produce water. Aside from the obvious solar PV and CSP plants that make news around the world, the introduction of NPP to the GCC has alleviated individual investments by securing the forecasted peak-season base-load energy supply across the UAE, to cite the most advanced example from the Middle East.

The precise water demand forecast by each Emirates in the UAE has further paved the way to discontinue all, yes 100%, of the thermal water production facilities in the Emirates of Sharjah by latest in 2030, in line with the Federal Vision 2050 and needless to say being a trend across all Emirates to reign in on and achieve, if not exceed, the global sustainability goals.

To achieve such noble and ambitious objectives, SEWA is spearheading initiatives towards a total integrated water management, comprising not only the up-stream water production by mostly seawater desalination, but also embracing a comprehensive approach to utilize tertiary quality TSE for further advanced treatment, availing it for agricultural, industrial, recreational and strategic applications. Such initiatives have a significant impact on further infrastructure investments and capacity planning and as such contribute positive to the efficiency of SEWA budgeting and service provision.

It all starts with the engagement of all stakeholders, and foremost our communities. It starts with education and the perspective we have on our valuable resources. We can no longer afford to call our used water ‘waste’ and our costly tertiary treated water ‘waste’ again. Bio Refinery Water is the term of the future and our children will be the first to appreciate it. Hopefully, decision makers of our industry will be as fast and take the right action.