Volvo Penta's BESS is designed for industrial applications. (Image source: Volvo Penta)

Volvo Penta is set to make a significant impact at Middle East Energy (MEE) 2025, where it will showcase its innovative battery energy storage subsystem (BESS) and renewable fuel-compatible combustion engines.

Volvo Penta’s scalable battery energy storage subsystem (BESS) is designed for industrial applications, supporting peak shaving, rapid charging, and discharging.

Its energy-dense design and favourable C-rate make it a transportable solution, complementing gensets as industries transition to electrification.

In hybrid setups, the BESS optimises fuel use and charging cycles, improving uptime and reducing emissions. By integrating with hybrid and fully electric systems, it ensures continuous operations while supporting sustainability goals.

Volvo Penta’s strategy focuses on supplying the BESS subsystem while collaborating with OEMs and system integrators to deliver complete, customised solutions.

This partnership-driven approach accelerates time to market and ensures solutions that meet the specific needs of projects and customers.

Renewable fuel-compatible engines for a greener future

As part of its commitment to sustainable power, Volvo Penta is advancing its combustion engine platform to support alternative and renewable fuels, including natural gas, hydrogen, and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

All current Volvo Penta engines are certified to operate on HVO, and the company is progressing toward hydrogen-compatible engines.

Field tests are underway for the Stage V D8 dual-fuel engine, which runs on diesel and hydrogen.

This engine is expected to enter the genset market in Europe later in 2025. Stationary applications, with their flexibility in regulatory compliance, offer significant potential for further efficiency improvements and emissions reductions.

Kristian Vekas, product manager at Volvo Penta Industrial, emphasised the importance of collaboration, saying, “Power generation is vital across different industries, and adopting renewable fuel-compatible genset engines can reduce emissions while ensuring reliability. Collaborating with customers, we aim to develop scalable, practical solutions that ease the transition to lower-carbon energy.”

Intersec 2026 will take place from 12 – 14 January. (Image source: Messe Frankfurt)

A record number of exhibitors representing 61 countries have participated in the 26th edition of Intersec, the largest business event in the world that maps the future of security, safety, and fire protection.

The largest edition of the event took up 61,000 sq m of space at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), a 20% increase from the previous year.

Under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event, which ended last month, drew 47,300 visitors from 142 countries and featured state-of-the-art technologies and vital solutions in five major areas: Homeland Security & Policing, Cyber Security, Safety & Health, Fire & Rescue, and Commercial & Perimeter Security. The show's theme was "Mapping the Future of Security, Safety, and Fire Protection."

Among the new features, this year was the successful opening of the two-day Intersec Policing Conference, which brought together more than fifty knowledgeable speakers. Discussions covered a wide range of subjects, including the future of road safety, proactive and productive policing, strategic automation in policing, drone operations, and quantum-led crime. Senior law enforcement officials from the Abu Dhabi Police, INTERPOL, the Metropolitan Police, and the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit were among them.

The top Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) in the area were also invited to the CISO Business Briefing, which was successfully launched while examining the main information security trends, threats, and opportunities. The opening keynote speaker was H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, UAE Government.

The annual awards

The exhibition's ground-breaking collaboration with Ignyte, which resulted in the opening of the Intersec Startup Arena, was another first. It gave startups a chance to present their innovative ideas and solutions to a group of government officials, business executives, and elite investors, opening doors for them to secure investment, mentorship, and strategic alliances.

ASIS International, Firestop Contractors International Association (FCIA), Gallagher, Sharjah Civil Defence, NAFFCO, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence, Nordon, Saudi Sicli, and UXE Security Solutions were among the companies that signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the three-day event held by Intersec 2025.

Several industry leaders were honoured at the 4th annual Intersec Awards, which honour people, groups, and organisations for establishing new benchmarks for excellence in vital sectors.

Winners on the evening included Dubai Civil Defense, NAFFCO, Dubai Municipality, Ministry of Interior, Emirates Safety Laboratory LLC, and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).

Wajahat Hussain, show manager, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said, “The team and I are thrilled to have welcomed an unprecedented gathering of industry professionals from around the world. Intersec has once again proven to be the premier platform where global leaders, innovators, and experts converge to exchange knowledge, forge partnerships, and explore cutting-edge advancements that are shaping the future of safety, security, and fire protection.

“Surpassing previous exhibitor records is a testament to Intersec’s growing influence and its pivotal role in driving forward-thinking solutions for a safer, more secure world. This milestone underscores our commitment to fostering collaboration, showcasing pioneering technologies, and setting new benchmarks for excellence in this critically important industry.”

Intersec 2026 will take place from 12 – 14 January 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy & Petroleum Affairs at the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure

Solar and clean energy was in the spotlight on the second day of the World Future Energy Summit, where industry stakeholders discussed solutions to advance renewable energy solutions.

H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy & Petroleum Affairs at the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, spoke about the future of clean energy systems in the country. In his keynote speech, he underlined the steps the UAE has taken to accentuate the clean energy transition.

"Today, we proudly boast three of the world's largest and most cost-effective solar plants," he said, adding that “Additionally, the Barakah nuclear energy plan plays a critical role in diversifying our energy measures, providing up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs.”

The country’s national hydrogen strategy was marked with the goal of positioning the UAE as a key producer and exporter of low-carbon hydrogen.

“The strategy helps accelerate the global hydrogen economy and will scale up local hydrogen production to 1.4 million tons per annum by the year 2031 and 15 million tons per annum by the year 2050.”

At the same time, the UAE’s energy strategy 2050 aims to triple the contribution of renewable energy in the country. “It aims to invest between US$40bn and US$55bn by the year 2030 to meet the country’s increasing demand for energy as a result of a rapidly growing economy.”

H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy & Petroleum Affairs at the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure highlighted the urgency of transformative action in the energy sector.

“Achieving meaningful form of progress in the clean energy transition requires the mobilisation of resources and investments in renewable energy for projects at both national and global levels.

“Strategic investments are essential for reducing emissions and strengthening the resilience of energy systems worldwide.”

This initiative offers startups a high-profile stage to present groundbreaking solutions. (Image source: Intersec)

Intersec 2025, the leading global event for safety, security, and fire protection, has partnered with Ignyte, a digital platform developed by Dubai International Financial Centre, to launch the Intersec Startup Arena.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Intersec 2025 will host 1,200 exhibitors and over 42,000 trade visitors from 14-16 January 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

This initiative offers startups a high-profile stage to present groundbreaking solutions to key industry leaders, government officials, and investors.

The Intersec Startup Arena will showcase how emerging technologies are revolutionising safety and security sectors. Participating startups will gain access to valuable networking opportunities with major brands, government entities, and organisations seeking innovative solutions. This comes at a time when the global cybersecurity market is expected to hit US$500bn by 2030, with AI in security projected to reach US$60bn by 2029, underscoring the urgency for innovation-driven growth.

Ignyte, a core initiative of the Dubai Digital Economy Strategy, aims to support 100,000 startups by 2029, fostering entrepreneurial growth and connecting startups with global investors and mentors. Intersec 2025 further cements its role as a hub for innovation in security and safety, helping startups turn ideas into commercially viable solutions through strategic exposure and partnerships.