Eve Pope, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx, explains how carbon capture technologies can be made more efficient. Read on: 

Carbon capture technologies capable of removing CO₂ from industrial emissions have been around for over 50 years, but widescale deployment of CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation, and storage) has been too slow for global net-zero ambitions. While governments are beginning to implement carbon pricing mechanisms or tax credits to motivate permanent storage of CO2 deep underground, a profitable business model exists beyond CO₂ sequestration via emerging CO₂ utilisation applications. According to the new IDTechEx research report, “Carbon Dioxide Utilisation 2025-2045: Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players”, sales from CO₂ utilisation will directly generate US$240bn in revenue in 2045.

Carbon dioxide utilisation technologies recycle captured CO₂. The new carbon-containing products can be sold to generate financial benefits while offering a reduction in carbon footprint. The leading fate of captured carbon dioxide today is enhanced oil recovery - a method of reversing productivity decline in depleted oil fields. However, there are many emerging areas of CO₂ recycling, including CO₂-derived concrete, CO₂-derived fuels (methane, methanol, kerosene, diesel, and gasoline), CO₂-derived chemicals, and CO₂ yield boosting applications (crop greenhouses, algae, and proteins).

Profitable chemicals

Profitable production of CO₂-derived polymers has been around for decades. Asahi Kasei pioneered production of polycarbonate from waste CO₂ in 2002. The total annual production capacity of polycarbonate resin using CO2 utilisation technology has now reached about 1 million tonnes. Other essential plastics, such as polyethylene and PET, are starting to be made from CO2 via thermochemical and biological conversion routes, with LanzaTech leading microbial innovation in this space. Drop-in chemicals such as CO₂-derived ethanol and aromatics are also being commercialised.

While potentially all carbon-containing chemicals could utilise carbon dioxide in production, those requiring non-reductive pathways are the most promising due to a smaller energy demand and lack of dependency on low-carbon hydrogen production. The new IDTechEx report “Carbon Dioxide Utilisation 2025-2045: Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players” explores synthesis routes for chemical companies to use waste CO2 as a green feedstock, displacing petrochemical products.

Decarbonising the aviation and shipping sectors

To date, alternative fuels have not achieved price parity with fossil fuels, inhibiting market uptake. However, increased market penetration of CO₂-derived fuels is expected to come from regulations already being put in place, such as fuel-blend mandates for long-haul transportation. As green hydrogen electrolyzer capacity scales up worldwide, production of e-fuels from carbon dioxide using power-to-x technology will also increase. These fuels are expected to play a role in decarbonising shipping and aviation as full electrification of the aviation and maritime sectors is currently unfeasible.

Several CO₂-derived fuels are already being commercially produced with many more commercial facilities expected over the next decade. The start of 2024 saw Mitsui and Celanese’s joint venture Fairway Methanol become operational, joining plants from Carbon Recycling International in producing over 100,000 tonnes per year of methanol made from captured CO₂. Other hydrocarbon fuels such as kerosene, diesel, and gasoline, which can be made via methanol or syngas intermediates, are also being ramped up. For example, Infinium’s Corpus Facility opened its doors this year, expected to produce thousands of tonnes per annum of CO2-derived e-fuels.

A net-negative future

The new IDTechEx report “Carbon Dioxide Utilisation 2025-2045: Technologies, Market Forecasts, and Players”, covers how CO₂ utilisation can lower the carbon footprint of ready-mixed concrete, precast concrete, and carbonate aggregates/supplementary cementitious materials through CO2 mineralisation reactions. Players already utilising over 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year in carbonates include O.C.O Technology and Greenore.

When CO₂ is permanently stored in concrete, performance is improved, and less cement is needed. Growth of CO₂-derived building materials will be driven by new certifications, superior materials performance, and the ability to achieve price parity through waste disposal fees and the sale of carbon credits.

Zebra Technologies Corporation has introduced a new range of advanced AI features to its Aurora machine vision software, significantly boosting its deep learning capabilities for complex visual inspection tasks.

This enhancement is particularly relevant as, according to Zebra’s 2024 Manufacturing Vision Study, 61% of global manufacturing leaders anticipate AI will be a key driver of growth by 2029. Additionally, a Zebra report on AI usage in the automotive industry reveals that while AI and deep learning are already in use, there is a growing demand for these technologies to deliver even more advanced capabilities.

The updated Aurora software suite now offers powerful visual inspection tools designed to meet the needs of machine and line builders, engineers, programmers, and data scientists across various industries, including automotive, electronics, semiconductor, food and beverage, and packaging. It features a no-code deep learning optical character recognition (OCR) tool, drag-and-drop environments, and extensive libraries, enabling users to tackle complex challenges that traditional rules-based systems cannot easily address.

The Aurora Design Assistant, a part of the suite’s integrated development environment, allows users to create applications by arranging flowcharts rather than writing traditional code. The software also facilitates the development of web-based human-machine interfaces (HMIs) for these applications. The newest update introduces deep learning object detection and an enhanced Aurora Imaging Copilot companion application, which features a dedicated workspace for training deep learning models in object detection. Additional add-ons are available to support the training and deployment of deep learning models using NVIDIA and Intel GPU cards.

New advancements

Aurora Vision Studio offers a flexible, hardware-agnostic software platform that assists engineers in developing, integrating, and overseeing machine vision applications. The software’s user-friendly graphical interface allows the creation of complex vision applications without the need for coding, using over 3,000 pre-configured filters. The latest improvements include a new training engine designed to optimise results from low-quality datasets, along with support for Linux systems when performing inference tasks.

For developers working in C++, C#, and Python, the Aurora Imaging Library provides a comprehensive set of tools for processing and analysing 2D images and 3D data, employing both traditional methods and deep learning techniques. New additions to the library include anomaly detection tools designed for defect and assembly verification, using unsupervised deep learning. The OCR tool has also been upgraded to recognise a wider range of characters and symbols, leveraging a pre-trained deep neural network without the need for specific font instructions.

“Manufacturers across many industries face longstanding quality issues and new challenges with advances in materials and sectors such as automotive and electronics,” said Donato Montanari, vice president and general manager, Machine Vision, Zebra Technologies. “They are looking for new solutions that complement and expand their current toolbox with AI capabilities needed for more effective visual inspection, particularly in complex use cases.” 

Emirates Global Aluminium announced that over 110 women have joined the company since Emirati Women’s Day 2023, including 67 UAE nationals.

EGA now employs over 550 women in the UAE in total, including more than 195 in operations. The company is aiming for 25 per cent of supervisory roles to be held by women by 2025, up from around 20 per cent today, and 15 per cent of all positions by 2026. EGA marked Emirati Women’s Day with the launch a new initiative dedicated to promoting gender diversity across UAE industry.

EGA's Break the Mould initiative seeks to inspire young women interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to follow the path of trailblazing women who have made notable contributions to the UAE's industrial sector.

The UAE stands out as one of the few countries globally where more women than men graduate in STEM fields. In celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, EGA’s Women’s Network hosted an event for all female employees at EGA, highlighting the progress made in gender diversity and exploring ways to further enhance it.

In 2022, EGA opened its long-standing National Training programmes for industrial operations roles to women for the first time, resulting in women making up 20% of new entrants in the first full year. Additionally, EGA introduced the Challenger Programme last year, which unites leading industrial companies to accelerate gender diversity by tackling common practical challenges.

EGA is also a signatory of the United Nations' Women’s Empowerment Principles and is committed to advancing gender diversity across its operations while advocating for the role of women in both industry and society.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “At EGA and in the UAE industrial sector, pioneering women are making significant contributions and inspire many more women to follow in their footsteps. Emirati Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate their achievements in our industry and our nation. We believe that diversity leads to improved business performance, and we are committed to creating more opportunities for women and to inspire the next generation of women leaders and innovators in the UAE.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dubai, UAE – August 27, 2024 – Khansaheb Civil Engineering (KCE), in collaboration with Autodesk, is set to host a webinar that will delve into the transformative effects of adopting a Common Data Environment (CDE) within the construction industry. The webinar will showcase how KCE has revolutionised its construction operations by leveraging digital solutions, significantly improving project efficiency, quality, and client satisfaction.

The webinar, titled “KCE: Revolutionising Construction Operations through Digital Delivery”, is scheduled for 18 September 2024. Participants will gain insights into how KCE utilised Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) as a comprehensive CDE solution across all project phases—from preconstruction to construction. This platform enabled KCE to centralise project data, streamline workflows, and ensure high accuracy in information exchange, ultimately delivering faster and more effective construction outcomes.

During this session, you will learn how KCE:



* Utilised Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) as a comprehensive solution for CDE needs across all project phases, from preconstruction through to construction, centralising project data in one place, including BIM Coordination, collaboration, and issue management.


* Streamlined daily tasks such as drawings, material submittals, site inspections, and snag lists, revolutionising workflow.


* Exchanged vast amounts of information with multiple parties, ensuring high accuracy and speed, delivering the right information at the right time, resulting in faster construction processes, improved quality, greater client satisfaction, and enhanced project outcomes.


* Managed to have one-click access to drawings, models, and Microsoft Office files, and handled file version control, comparison, and change management, all within a single platform.


This webinar is an essential event for professionals in the construction industry who are looking to enhance their operations through digital solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from experts at KCE and Autodesk about the practical applications and benefits of using a Common Data Environment.

Registration: The webinar is free to attend, but spaces are limited. To secure your spot, please register at https://alaincharlestraining.com/webinar2/kce-autodesk-webinar

For more information, please contact:

Imran Uddin
Project Manager - Events
Technical Review Middle East
Alain Charles Publishing
+44 (0) 20 78347676
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Khansaheb Civil Engineering:
Khansaheb Civil Engineering is a leading construction company in the UAE, committed to delivering high-quality construction services through innovation and excellence. With a focus on sustainability and client satisfaction, KCE continues to be at the forefront of the construction industry.

About Autodesk UAE:
Autodesk is a global leader in design and make technology, providing innovative solutions for industries including architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and media and entertainment. Autodesk supports the region's construction industry with advanced digital tools and platforms.

-ENDS-

The company will highlight these solutions in South Africa during the Solar & Storage Live Cape Town taking place from 27-28 August.

"Trinasolar's participation in Solar & Storage Live Cape Town is a testament to our ongoing commitment to Africa's renewable energy sector," said Zhao Lei, head of strategic key accounts at Trinasolar. "Through our advanced technologies and integrated solutions, we are empowering communities and businesses across the continent to embrace a sustainable energy future. Our goal is to make solar energy more accessible, reliable, and efficient, supporting Africa's journey towards net-zero emissions."

At stand B8, Trinasolar will showcase its comprehensive suite of vertically integrated energy solutions. This includes the Vertex N and Vertex S+ with advanced n-type i-TOPCon technology and 210mm platform. Alongside, attendees can explore the latest innovations and product launches from TrinaTracker and Trina Storage.

Elementa 2: Advanced Energy Storage

Trinasolar will also spotlight the Elementa 2, its next-generation energy storage system. Elementa 2 sets a new benchmark in performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness. This Energy Storage System (ESS) offers advanced flexibility and high efficiency. Key features include an upgraded pack design, smart liquid cooling technology for precise thermal management, and a comprehensive fire mitigation and suppression system. This innovative solution is tailored to meet the growing demand for reliable and efficient energy storage across various sectors in Africa.

Leading the Way in Solar Tracking with TrinaTracker Vanguard 1P

Trinasolar team will provide detailed insights into TrinaTracker’s upgraded Vanguard 1P solar tracker. This advanced system, equipped with a state-of-the-art smart control system, is designed to deliver unparalleled adaptability, system stability, and ease of installation, particularly on flat terrain. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about how TrinaTracker's solutions can optimise solar energy production for large-scale projects.

Guided by the mission "Solar Energy for All," Trinasolar continues to lead the way in smart PV and energy storage solutions, paving the way for a net-zero future across Africa and beyond. Its commitment to innovation and sustainability ensures that clean energy becomes more accessible and efficient, driving positive change on a global scale.

Bentley Systems pens an editorial for Technical Review Middle East, explaining how data-centricity and digital twins can help businesses make informed decisions about sustainability. Read on: 

Recently, CEOs have made a significant effort to advocate for policies to achieve net zero emissions. A notable example is the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, a group facilitated by the World Economic Forum that represents US$4 trillion in revenues and 12 million employees around the world. These members have been vocal in encouraging both businesses and governments to become meaningfully involved in the effort to get to net zero.

In October 2023, more than 100 CEOs and senior executives issued an open letter to world leaders urging them to support green policies before the COP28 Climate Summit. As their letter states, winning the race to net zero hinges on the ability to act on those policies. To get there, CEOs are asking for support and collaboration from governments, policymakers, and a wide range of stakeholders to accelerate the development of renewable energy projects and address obstacles such as a lack of interoperability that hinders green solutions.

Climate change requires adjustments in the ways organisations respond to stakeholders, as well managing regulations and compliance, leading to a stronger emphasis on incorporating sustainability at the core of their business strategy. Enterprise today must align two goals: Be more resilient to climate change effects and leverage future market opportunities in the process.

These goals are not merely ideological, but also tangible, as companies must pivot to address climate impacts that are already occurring. For instance, the Volkswagen factory in Portugal was forced to suspend production for more than two months in 2023 due to a flood in Slovenia, which impacted their supply chain and resulted in mass layoffs. Not only has VW stock value plummeted, but the overall GDP of Portugal (for which VW represented 4% of its exports) has taken a massive hit.

When Texas was hit by winter storm Uri in 2021, the destruction of computer chip facilities, power grids, and other infrastructure resulted in an estimated economic toll of US$80-$130bn in both damages and lost economic opportunities. The 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, also known as the "Black Summer," burned over 19 million hectares, destroyed thousands of homes, caused 33 deaths, and resulted in an estimated economic loss of AUD $2.8 billion. Almost 7,300 jobs disappeared nationwide.

A Dire Need for Data

CEOs make decisions based on numbers. They need not only data, but also the right technology and people to generate insights. This is particularly true where decision-making around climate change and sustainability are concerned. Business leaders want to be well-prepared to address climate events. However, they need access to data identifying the most probable future scenarios and their impact on companies’ own business models.

Only then can they strategise properly, make informed, data-centric decisions around sustainability, and ultimately climate-proof their businesses. Without these details and insights, CEOs may be unable to pivot toward more sustainable operations.

While it is common for organisations to conduct data-driven business analysis, prior analyses were not often performed with sustainability in mind. For many organisations today, this has changed. Within the oil and gas industry, which has long been dependent on regulations and constant shifts in industry and market demands, climate risk analysis is now a matter of survival.

Quantifying Uncertainty

Energy organisations have recently begun investing assets in renewable energies as a way to reduce risks. Heavy industries, or those working with infrastructure involving hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and aviation, are also exposed to significant risks directly or indirectly associated with climate change. In many cases, infrastructure assets and their supply chains may also be highly exposed, and simply reinvesting in more sustainable assets isn’t always possible.

These hard-to-abate sectors can benefit from scenario analysis supported by digital twins or data-driven solutions. By engaging in effective simulations, businesses can identify the most critical uncertainties and assign more accurate probabilities to each of the scenarios these uncertainties define. In addition to obvious potential pitfalls linked to the progressive impact of climate change, the most frequent sources of uncertainty are associated with regulations, consumer or stakeholder behaviours and preferences, and technological availability and pricing.

In these analyses, high or low probability may be assigned to different scenarios. For instance, in the energy industry, uncertainties may link to changes in carbon regulation and profitability of renewables remaining competitive with conventional fossil fuels. Uncertainty analyses can help CEOs determine how best to allocate resources, point to potential areas for exploration of new ways of competing, and spot likely financial impacts. By identifying and quantifying the most probable scenarios with the use of digital twins and data-driven solutions, these scenario analyses can surface hidden risks and opportunities.

Leveraging Talent and Information

For climate risk analyses to be accurately generated in support of CEOs' strategic decisions, a combination of technology, data, and expertise is needed.
Today, CEOs must tap experts who are knowledgeable about the business and environment, capable of curating and interpreting the data and highlighting valuable and valid insights. These experts must be able to combine business experience with scientific knowledge to navigate multiple areas and disciplines. Rather than specialists, generalists are required. Environmental professionals are now in such high demand globally that there are simply not enough of them to fill all the roles that require their expertise.

With more data than ever available today, this data is often siloed in different formats, repositories, and disciplines across supply chains. Using digital twins built on open platforms to simulate, federate, visualise, and analyze the data can be helpful in facilitating data-centric approaches and mitigating siloed challenges. One good example of this approach is ClimaTwin, built on Bentley’s open digital twin platform, iTwin. This startup connects complex climate models and infrastructure digital twins to provide risk intelligence and assess adaptation actions, such as for electric utilities. Technology that will enable companies not just to gather diverse pools of data, but to also integrate them meaningfully, will help drive strategic decision-making even as climate change creates more complex problems to solve.

Getting to Net Zero

To get closer to net zero, CEOs around the world need help resolving regulatory inefficiencies, consolidating disparate forms of data, managing projects, and determining the best way to operate given the dynamic state of play.

Digital twins offer a powerful tool for facing these challenges. These solutions allow company leaders to leverage infrastructure intelligence in scenario analyses, break down communication and information barriers, and access expertise and data from anywhere around the world – all within an open, interoperable, and collaborative platform.

More than ever, business leaders and CEOs must rely on data and technologies that yield these capabilities to make the necessary pivots and strategic transformations to climate-proof their businesses and maintain a true competitive advantage.

Masdar and Infinity Power have signed a power purchase agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) to deliver a long-term supply of renewable energy

The energy will be supplied by an onshore wind farm that will be located in Ras Ghareb, Egypt. When constructed, it is expected to have a capacity of 200MW and produce 810,000MWh per year.

A signing ceremony was held at the Egyptian Cabinet in Al-Alamein city and was witnessed by senior stakeholders around the project as well as Government officials including Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

“We are excited to announce the construction of the Ras Ghareb wind farm, a project that symbolises Infinity Power's steadfast commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions,” remarked Mohamed Ismail Mansour, chairman of Infinity Power. “This initiative not only expands our footprint in Egypt but also signifies another big stride in bolstering our local impact in the renewables sector, creating valuable jobs. We remain committed to elevating our contributions to a cleaner, greener future.”

“Through Infinity Power, a Masdar Infinity company, we will deliver 200MW of clean energy to the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), producing over 800,000MWh and offsetting more than 403,000 tonnes of emissions annually,” commented Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar. “This marks another milestone in our journey to unlocking Africa’s clean energy potential, and further advancing the clean energy transition.”

Limitless ambition

The latest announcement is yet another addition to Infinity Power’s growing, impressive portfolio. The organisation is targeting 10GW of operational renewable energy in Africa by 2030 in a view to providing electricity to 12 million homes. In pursuit of this, the company has marked a number of milestones this year including making a 1GW energy commitment in Sierra Leone and signing a land access agreement for a 10GW wind farm in Egypt.

Nayer Fouad, CEO of Infinity Power, said, “The addition of the Ras Ghareb wind farm to our growing roster reinforces our commitment to positioning Africa as a leader in sustainable energy. This is one of the many steps we will take as we pursue our ambition to develop renewable energy projects in every part of the nation.”

Ibrahim Imam, co-founder and CEO for MENA + APAC at PlanRadar, pens a piece for Technical Review Middle East. Read on: 

Digital twins - virtual replicas of physical assets that leverage real-time data to mirror the state, condition, and behaviour of their real-world counterparts - have been gaining traction across various global industries, such as manufacturing and urban planning, due to its ability to provide detailed insights and predictive analytics. In construction, digital twins are revolutionising traditional practices by enhancing project efficiency, reducing costs, and improving overall outcomes. 

Creating efficient systems

By integrating real-time data, digital twins enable accurate planning, streamlined project management, and early detection of potential issues. Digital twins are not only transforming how construction projects are designed and executed, but are paving the way for more sustainable and resilient built environments.

What are the key benefits of implementing digital twins for construction?

Implementing digital twins in construction offers key benefits that enhance the entire project lifecycle. Improved planning, precision and design are among the foremost advantages, as digital twins enable more accurate design processes by creating detailed virtual models that reflect real-world conditions. 

Enhanced project management is another significant benefit, as data from digital twins aids in monitoring and managing projects, leading to improved resource allocation and time management. This data-driven approach helps identify potential issues early, reducing the need for rework and minimising material waste. 

Digital twins also support sustainability in construction by reducing environmental impact. By providing insights into the most efficient ways to use materials and energy, digital twins create more sustainable construction practices, leading to greener and more resilient infrastructure.

Challenges and considerations for digital twin implementation in the MENA region

Implementing digital twin technology involves several key challenges. Data security and privacy are critical, as the vast amounts of real-time data generated must be protected through robust encryption, secure storage, and stringent access controls. Integration and interoperability also pose significant challenges since digital twins must seamlessly interface with existing systems. Additionally, investing in training programs and educational initiatives is essential to build a technically-capable workforce; deploying and operating digital twin systems require expertise in data analytics, machine learning, and IoT technologies. 

The future outlook of digital twins in construction

Future developments in digital twin technology are set to significantly impact the MENA region, with advancements to include enhanced real-time data integration, more sophisticated AI-driven analytics, and greater use of IoT devices for comprehensive monitoring of construction projects. These technological improvements will drive increased efficiency, better predictive maintenance, and more accurate forecasting in the construction sector. 

We are increasingly seeing a clear trend of increased adoption of digital twins globally, driven by their benefits in improving project outcomes, reducing costs, and enhancing sustainability. This global trend is likely to influence the MENA region as industry stakeholders recognize the value of digital twins, and leverage them to stay competitive and meet the demands of modern construction projects.

Fuelre4m has introduced a new product called Styrex, which can revolutionise how we manage and repurpose polystyrene waste.

The company has said that it is already in discussions with leading global businesses, and the interest is significant, demonstrating the urgent demand for a solution like Styrex.

Global emergency

Polystyrene, commonly referred to as Styrofoam, has become a significant environmental hazard due to its persistence as a pollutant. Annually, around 14 million tons of polystyrene waste are produced globally, but the recycling rate remains alarmingly low. This non-biodegradable material can take up to 500 years to break down, leading to overflowing landfills and severe ocean pollution. It poses a significant risk to marine life, with approximately 1 million marine animals dying each year as a result of plastic pollution, including polystyrene. Shockingly, polystyrene makes up about 30% of the global landfill volume, highlighting the urgent need for a groundbreaking waste management solution.

A viable solution

Styrex is the first and only solution capable of effectively addressing the polystyrene waste crisis. Utilising state-of-the-art nanotechnology, Styrex converts polystyrene into a valuable, sustainable resin, representing a major breakthrough in waste management. With the UAE set to lead the way in adopting this innovative technology, the potential for both national and global environmental change is substantial.

In this cutting-edge process, polystyrene waste is carefully collected and prepared for transformation. The advanced nanotechnology involved deflates and reduces the hydrocarbon chains of polystyrene, converting it into a high-value resin. The material is then compressed to 1/50th of its original size, creating a solid, sustainable fuel.

"Styrex is not just a product; it is a revolutionary leap forward in solving one of the most critical environmental crises we face today," said Rob Mortimer, Founder, and CEO of Fuelre4m. "This isn’t just about offering a solution; this problem shouldn’t even exist anymore! It is imperative that everyone on the planet recognises their responsibility to tackle this issue. Our technology does more than just manage waste; it transforms it into a resource that can lead us to a cleaner, more sustainable future. The real issue is when people choose worse alternatives instead of embracing what works.”