S01_IWS 2014 Dailies - DAY 2_PART1.qxd 20/01/2014 18:40 Page 7
www.internationalwatersummit.com
21st January 2014
DAY 2
NEWS Masdar to assess energy efficiency at UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Doha embassy MASDAR RECENTLY SIGNED an agreement with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs to audit the energy, waste and water efficiency at the government department’s headquarters. An additional deal will see Masdar provide an assessment on the sustainability elements of the new UAE embassy in Doha, Qatar. Both contracts were signed by Masdar Chief Operating Officer Mohamed Al Ramahi and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed. Al Hamed said, “We will capitalise on the company’s extensive knowledge and experience in sustainable building design and construction. The headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must set the example for other government buildings, as well as UAE missions around the world.”
Masdar chief operating officer Mohamed Al Ramahi with HE Sheikh Al Hamed from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs after signing the deals. The audit at the property will highlight the potential cost savings of conserving energy resources. Following the audit, awareness and educational initiatives will take place throughout the ministry building. Masdar has conducted similar audits for nearly 100 buildings in the UAE and abroad.
Itron joins board of US cleantech cluster Stand no: 3020 GLOBAL UTILITY INDUSTRY player and IWS exhibitor Itron recently joined the board of the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (RTCC) – an initiative working to accelerate the cleantech economy in the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina, USA. The group was formed by leaders from local businesses, government, academic institutions and non-profit organisations. RTCC Managing Director and Executive Vice President of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, Lee Anne Nance, said, "Itron is a pioneer in technologies and partnerships that are changing the face of energy and water resource management globally. The company’s expertise and connections to cleantech innovators around the world will be a tremendous asset as we work to build our cluster, our global brand and a more sustainable future."
Daily News | January 21, 2014
In more arid climes, Itron, who has offices in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, was recently recognised by Powercor and CitiPower in Australia for its contribution to their Smart Meter Program. Itron was selected to provide Powercor and CitiPower with meter data management (MDM) and data analysis software for the project, which began in 2008 when the Australian state of Victoria introduced an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in order to meet government-mandated metering regulations. Today, Itron's MDM and transaction management system (TMS) support more than one million smart meters at Powercor and CitiPower. Itron’s position as a global leader in the utilities sector has seen it combine high-end metering, advanced communications, and innovative software tools and consulting expertise, to help utilities, businesses and consumers meet the challenges of managing energy and water resources.
Water wastage fines to face increase in Dubai
Water consumption per capita in the UAE currently stands at 550 litres per day DUBAI MUNICIPALITY HAS announced plans to increase fines in 2014 for water wastage in households throughout Dubai. Abdul Majeed Saifaie, Director of Dubai Municipality's Waste Management Department, said regulatory authorities were working on new rules and regulations for the wastewater management sector, which will be expected to come into effect in the Q1 2014. Dubai Municipality sources revealed that the UAE's water consumption per capita stands at 550 litres per day – significantly higher than the global average of 170-300 litres per day. The number of water-related offences in the UAE, however, declined by 30 per cent in 2013 to 378. Saifaie said that UAE authorities wanted to further reduce that number to zero. "There have been instances where municipal inspectors had to either directly notify owners of private villas or issue them a written warning, because there was a great deal of water spilled out on the streets when having their cars washed, or when their gardens were watered. We are trying to re-address the situation now," he said. As per current regulations, residents can be fined for water leakage through air conditioning systems and for flushing vehicle-washing water in places not specified by the concerned authorities. Residents can also be fined for dropping any solid or liquid waste from vehicles on the road. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has advised residents to save water by washing their cars with a bucket of soapy water and to use a nozzle to stop the flow of water from the hose.
7