Solid Waste Management in Bahrain

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The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of around 33 islands, the largest being the Bahrain Island. The population of Bahrain is around 1.68 million marked by population density of 2,241 persons per km2, which is the highest in the entire GCC region. The country has the distinction of being the highest per capita waste generator worldwide which is estimated at around 906.7 kg of waste per person per year. Rising population, high waste generation growth rate, limited land availability and scarcity of waste disposal sites has made solid waste management a highly challenging task for policy makers, urban planners and municipalities in the country.

an overflowing landfill in bahrain

Solid Wastes in Bahrain

Bahrain generates more than 1.7 million tons of solid wastes every year. Daily waste production across the tiny Gulf nation exceeds 5,500 tons. Municipal solid waste in Bahrain is characterized by high percentage of organic material (around 60 percent) which is mainly composed of food wastes. The presence of high percent of recyclables in the form of paper (13 percent), plastics (7 percent) and glass (4 percent) makes Bahraini MSW a good recycling feedstock, though informal sectors are currently responsible for collection of collection of recyclables and recycling activities

The Kingdom of Bahrain is divided into four governorates namely the Capital, Muharraq, Southern and Northern Governorate. Waste collection and disposal operation in Bahrain is managed by private contractors. The prevalent solid waste management scenario is to collect solid waste and dump it at the municipal landfill site at Askar.

Askar Landfill

Askar, the only existing landfill/dumpsite in Bahrain, caters to MSW, agricultural wastes and non-hazardous industrial wastes. Spread over an area of more than 700 acres, the landfill has almost reached its capacity with over 1.000,000 tons of waste being dumped every year. The proximity of Askar landfill to urban habitats has been a cause of major environmental concern. Waste accumulation is increasing at a rapid pace which is having a detrimental impact on air, soil and groundwater quality in the surrounding areas.

Conclusion

The Kingdom of Bahrain is grappling with waste management problems arising out of high population growth rate, rapid industrialization, high per capita waste generation, unorganized SWM sector, limited land resources and poor public awareness. The government is trying hard to improve waste management scenario by launching recycling initiatives, waste-to-energy project and public awareness campaign. However more efforts, in the form of effective legislations, large-scale investments, modern solid waste management technology adoption and environmental awareness, are required from all stake holders to implement a sustainable waste management system in Bahrain.

Egypt’s Water Crisis – Recipe for Disaster

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Egypt has been suffering from severe water scarcity in recent years. Uneven water distribution, misuse of water resources and inefficient irrigation techniques are some of the major factors playing havoc with water security in the country. Egypt has only 20 cubic meters per person of internal renewable freshwater resources, and as a result the country relies heavily on the Nile River for its main source of water. The River Nile is the backbone of Egypt’s industrial and agricultural sector and is the primary source of drinking water for the population.

Pollution of Nile River

Industrial pollution is wrecking havoc in Nile

 

Rising populations and rapid economic development in the countries of the Nile Basin, pollution and environmental degradation are decreasing water availability in the country. Egypt is facing an annual water deficit of around 7 billion cubic metres. Infact, United Nations is already warning that Egypt could run out of water sooner than later. According to My Custom Essay experts you can see the information provided below that could be essential for students who write academic papers.

Let us have a close look at major factors affecting Egypt’s water security:

Population Explosion

Egypt’s population is mushrooming at an alarming rate and has increased by 41 percent since the early 1990s. Recent reports by the government suggest that around 4,700 newborns are added to the population every week, and future projections say that the population will grow from its current total of 92 million to 110 million by the year 2025.

The rapid population increase multiplies the stress on Egypt’s water supply due to more water requirements for domestic consumption and increased use of irrigation water to meet higher food demands.

Inefficient Irrigation

Egypt receives less than 80 mm of rainfall a year, and only 6 percent of the country is arable and agricultural land, with the rest being desert. This leads to excessive watering and the use of wasteful irrigation techniques such as flood irrigation [an outdated method of irrigation where gallons of water are pumped over the crops].

Nowadays, Egypt’s irrigation network draws almost entirely from the Aswan High Dam, which regulates more than 18,000 miles of canals and sub-canals that push out into the country’s farmlands adjacent to the river. This system is highly inefficient, losing as much as 3 billion cubic meters of Nile water per year through evaporation and could be detrimental by not only intensifying water and water stress but also creating unemployment.

A further decrease in water supply would lead to a decline in arable land available for agriculture, and with agriculture being the biggest employer of youth in Egypt, water scarcity could lead to increased unemployment levels.

Pollution

The pollution of river Nile is an issue that has been regularly underestimated. With so many people relying on the Nile for drinking, agricultural, and municipal use, the quality of that water should be of pivotal importance. The reality is that water of Nile is being polluted by municipal waste and industrial waste, with many recorded incidents of leakage of wastewater, the dumping of dead animal carcasses, and the release of chemical and hazardous industrial waste into the river.

River Nile is commonly used for dumping of household trash

River Nile is commonly used for dumping of household trash

Industrial waste has led to the presence of metals in the water which pose a significant risk not only on human health, but also on animal health and agricultural production. Fish die in large numbers from poisoning because of the high levels of ammonia and lead. Agricultural production quality and quantity has been affected by using untreated water for irrigation as the bacteria and the metals in the water affect the growth of the plant produce, especially in the Nile Delta where pollution is highest.

Sewage water from slums and many other areas in Cairo is discharged into the river untreated due to lack of water treatment plants. Agricultural runoffs frequently contain pollutants from pesticides and herbicides, which have negative effects on the river and the people using it. All of these factors combine together to make Nile a polluted river which may spell doom for the generations to come.

Regional Upheavals

Egypt controls majority of the water resource extracted from the Nile River due to colonial-era treaty, which guaranteed Egypt 90 percent share of the Nile, and prevented their neighbors from extracting even a single drop from the Nile without permission. However, in recent years countries along the Nile such as Ethiopia are taking advantage are gaining more control over the rights for the Nile.

A big challenge is tackling the issue of Ethiopia building a dam and hydroelectric plant upstream that may cut into Egypt’s share of the Nile. For some time a major concern for Egypt was Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in the Blue Nile watershed, which is a main source of water for the Nile River. Construction of the Renaissance Dam started in December 2010, and has the capacity to store 74 to 79 billion cubic meters of water and generate 6,000 megawatts of electricity for Ethiopia a year.

This creates major concern for Egypt, who is worried that this damn would decrease the amount of water it receives (55.5 billion cubic meters) from the Nile River. Egypt is concerned that during dry months, not enough water will be released from the GERD thus decreasing the water received downstream. This will greatly hinder Egypt’s attempts to alleviate the water shortages during those months.

Conclusions

Water availability issues in Egypt are rapidly assuming alarming proportions. By the year 2020, Egypt will be consuming 20 percent more water than it has. With its loosening grip on the Nile, water scarcity could endanger the country’s stability and regional dominance. It is imperative on the Egyptian government  and the entire population of to act swiftly and decisively to mitigate water scarcity, implement water conservation techniques and control water pollution develop plans that would install more efficient irrigation techniques.

With climate conditions expected to get drier and heat waves expected to become more frequent in the MENA region, Egypt cannot afford to neglect the importance of water conservation anymore and must act immediately to augment its natural water reserves. It will be a good idea to use eco friendly cotton bags next time you go shopping.

وقود الديزل الحيوي

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هي الوقت البديلة النظيفة المنجة محليا والتى تعد من الموارد المتجددة  وهذه الوقود عبارة عن خليط من  استرات ألكيل الدهنية حمض مصنوعة من الزيوت النباتية،و  الدهون الحيوانية أو الشحوم المعاد تدويرهاحيثما كان ذلك متاحا، وقود الديزل الحيوي يمكن استخدامها في ضغط الاشتعال (الديزل) محركات في شكله النقي مع تعديلات ضئيلة أو معدومة. وقود الديزل الحيوي هو سهلة الاستخدام، والقابلة للتحلل غير سام، وخالية أساسا من الكبريت والعطريات. عادة ما يتم استخدامه كمادة مضافة الديزل النفطية للحد من مستويات الجسيمات وأول أكسيد الكربون والهيدروكربونات والمواد السامة من السيارات العاملة على المازوت. عندما تستخدم كمادة مضافة، وقود الديزل الناتجة يمكن أن يسمى ب5، ب10 أو ب20،وهو ما يمثل نسبة وقود الديزل الحيوي الذي يتم مزجه مع الديزل النفطي.

biodiesel-arabic

ويتم إنتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي من خلال عملية تجمع بين الزيوت المشتقة عضويا مع الكحول (الإيثانول أو الميثانول) في وجود عامل حفاز لتشكيل إيثيل استر الميثيل أو. يمكن مزجه إيثيل الميثيل أو استرات الكتلة الحيوية المشتقة مع وقود الديزل التقليدية أو استخدامها كوقود أنيق (100٪ وقود الديزل الحيوي). وقود الديزل الحيوي يمكن أن تكون مصنوعة من أي زيت نباتي، والدهون الحيوانية والزيوت النباتية النفايات، أو زيوت الطحالب. هناك ثلاث طرق أساسية لإنتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي من الزيوت والدهون:

قاعدة المحفزة عبر الأسترة للنفط

حمض المباشر المحفزة عبر الأسترة للنفط

تحويل النفط إلى الأحماض الدهنية وبعد ذلك إلى وقود الديزل الحيوي.

وهناك مجموعة متنوعة من الزيوت التي تستخدم لانتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي، وأكثرها شيوعا هي فول الصويا وبذور اللفت، وزيت النخيل والتي تشكل الغالبية العظمى من إنتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي في جميع أنحاء العالم. المواد الأولية الأخرى يمكن أن تأتي من النفط النفايات النباتية، والجاتروفا، والخردل، والكتان وعباد الشمس، وزيت النخيل أو القنب. الدهون الحيوانية بما في ذلك الشحم، شحم الخنزير، والشحوم الصفراء والدهون والدجاج وزيت السمك من المنتجات يمكن أن تسهم نسبة صغيرة لإنتاج الديزل الحيوي في المستقبل، لكنها محدودة في العرض وغير فعالة لتربية الحيوانات من أجل الدهون. الجاتروفا هو صغير من الآفات ومقاومة للجفاف شجيرة التي هي قادرة على أن تزرع في الهامشية / الأراضي المتدهورة وتنتج البذور التي تدر عدة مرات المزيد من النفط للدونم الواحد من فول الصويا.

biorefinery basics

Etihad Airways flight from Seattle to Abu Dhabi in January 2012 was the first in the Middle East to be powered by sustainable biofuel.

وهناك مجموعة متنوعة من الزيوت التي تستخدم لانتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي، وأكثرها شيوعا هي فول الصويا وبذور اللفت، وزيت النخيل والتي تشكل الغالبية العظمى من إنتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي في جميع أنحاء العالم. المواد الأولية الأخرى يمكن أن تأتي من النفط النفايات النباتية، والجاتروفا، والخردل، والكتان وعباد الشمس، وزيت النخيل أو القنب. الدهون الحيوانية بما في ذلك الشحمر، والشحوم الصفراء والدهون والدجاج وزيت السمك من المنتجات يمكن أن تسهم نسبة صغيرة لإنتاج الديزل الحيوي في المستقبل، لكنها محدودة في العرض وغير فعالة لتربية الحيوانات من أجل الدهون. الجاتروفا هو صغير من الآفات ومقاومة للجفاف شجيرة التي هي قادرة على أن تزرع في الهامشية / الأراضي المتدهورة وتنتج البذور التي تدر عدة مرات المزيد من النفط للدونم الواحد من فول الصويا.

بين المواد الأولية البديلة، يحمل الطحالب إمكانات هائلة لتوفير المواد غير الغذائية، وارتفاع العائد المرتفع وغير الصالحة للزراعة المصدر استخدام الأراضي وقود الديزل الحيوي والإيثانول والهيدروجين وقود. الطحالب قد تشد الانتباه لأن الوقود الحيوي على أساس فدان بواسطة فدان، الطحالب يمكن أن تنتج 100-300 مرة من العائد النفطي من فول الصويا على الأراضي الهامشية ومع المياه المالحة. الطحالب هو الكائن الحي photosynthesizing الأسرع نموا، وقادر على استكمال دورة النمو بأكمله كل بضعة أيام.

ترجمة 

سجى البغدادي  –طالبة  بكالوريس ادارة مياه وبيئة في  الجامعة الهاشمية ومنسقة كلية الموارد الطبيعة   ناشطة ومتتطوعة  مع عدة مبادرات و مهتم في مجال البيئة والمياه و  التغير المناخ

البرك الشمسية في البحر الميت – حين يجد الشباب الأردني الحل لتوفير الطاقة

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توالت الاقتراحات و الحلول لمشاكل توفير الطاقة عبر السنين العشر الماضية في الأردن , و كان العديد من المهتمين بهذا الموضوع في وضعية بحث غير منقطعة عن حلول جدية و احيانا جذرية , لكن كما يعلم الجميع ما زال موضوع ” البدائل البيئية ” و كيفية الحفاظ على البيئة و توفير الطاقة موضوعا يصنف تحت قائمة ” الرفاهيات ” و أن هناك ما هو أهم لتسليط الضوء عليه رغم وجود حوال 70 جمعية لحماية البيئة في الأردن .

solar pond

لكن ليس من الضروري أحيانا  أن تصل التوعية لأعداد ضخمة أو مجتمعات كبيرة , ربما وصولها لأفراد سينعشها و يضخ الحياة فيها من جديد , و من أحد هؤلاء الأفراد الأردنيين الشباب طالب في كلية الهندسة ” هشام البلاونة ” , قرر أن يكون مشروع تخرجه بصمة جديدة  في سجل توفير الطاقة و حماية البيئة في الأردن , مشروعه كان تحت عنوان ” البرك الشمسية في البحر الميت ” بمساعدة أستاذه القديردكتور خلدون الوحوش  الذي يطمح دائماً لنقل مفهوم الطاقة النظيفة إلى مستويات أعلى , و هذا ما ساناقشه في مقالي هذا .

ما هي البرك الشمسية

البرك الشمسية , هي عبارة عن حفرة ثلاثية الأبعاد موضوعة في الهواء الطلق مملوءة بمياه ذات خصائص معينة .  تستقبل الطاقة الحرارية عن طريق العزل , ثم يتم استخراج الحرارة الكامنة فيها من المياه الواقعة في قاع البركة .

البرك الشمسية في البحر الميت

لغرض استخراج الحرارة من مياه البحر الميت , تم تصميم بركة شمسية تجريبية مربعة صغيرة الحجم  1.25 عمقها و عرضها 2.0 . بنيت هذه البركة في منطقة البحر الميت بإحداثيات 30 20 0 شمالا و 35 30 0 شرقا , انتقال الحرارة الموجودة في البركة بالحمل سيمنع عن طريق الملوحة الخاصة بمياه البحر الميت بجانب إضافة مجموعة من الأملاح  ” كلوريد الصوديوم , كلوريد المغنيسيوم و بيكربونات الصوديوم ”  NaCl , MgCl2 و  NaHCO3“,  و التي استخلصت من نفس البحر ” البحر الميت  ” .

ألية عملها

البركة الشمسية هي عبارة عن مساحة كبيرة تقوم بجمع الطاقة الشمسية و تخزينها في نفس الوقت . حين تسقط الطاقة الشمسية على البركة سوف تقوم بتسخينها و تقسيمها إلى ثلاث أقسام القسم الأول هو الطبقة العلوية ”  Surface Zone” ذات المياه العذبة و الملوحة القليلة تبعاً لحقيقة أن الأملاح تتركز في الأسفل , و القسم الثاني هو الطبقة المتوسطة و ما يسمى بطبقة العزل” Insulation Zone” حيث تكون درجة ملوحتها أكبر من طبقة السطح , أما الطبقة الأهم هي طبقة القعر أي الطبقة السفلى و التي تعرف بطبقة التخزين”Storage Zone” و هي التي تحتفظ بالحرارة الشمسية  وفيها تكمن عملية استخراج الطاقة . و تكون سماكة الطبقة المشبعة من متر إلى مترين تقريبا , أما البركة بشكل عام من مترين إلى أكثر من ذلك .

حين تكتسب  مياه أي بركة الحرارة , سوف تتمدد و تقل كثافتها و ترتفع , حالما تصل سطح البركة ستفقد حراراتها للهواء عن طريق البخار أو تيارات الحمل . أما المياه الأكثر برودة و التي تعتبر الأثقل و الأكثر كثافة سوف تحل محل المياه الدافئة التي صعدت للأعلى , ليخلق بذلك حركة حمل طبيعية تمزج الماء و تبدد الحرارة ” الطاقة ” .

لكن للبرك الشمسية في البحر الميت خاصية تجعلها تحتفظ بالحرارة ” الطاقة ” , وهي ازدياد درجة الملوحة مع ازدياد العمق , و بالتالي يزيد الكثافة مع العمق ايضا مما يجبر الماء الساخن أن يبقى في الأسفل بفعل الأملاح .

و بالتالي فإن الحرارة التي احتفظ بها في الطبقة الأخيرة المشبعة بالأملاح  و التي قد تصل إالى 85-90  درجة سيليسية ستقوم بتحريك توربينات  مولدةً بذلك طاقة كهربائية متجددة نظيفة و صديقة للبيئة , يوضح ذلك بالشكل التالي .

أهمية البرك الشمسية

البرك الشمسية توفر أبسط تقنية لتحويل الطاقة الشمسية إلى طاقة حرارية والتي يمكن استخدامها للعديد من الأغراض. فهي تتميز بقدرتها على جمع و تخزين الطاقة في ان معا . علماً بأن تكلفة البركة الشمسية لوحدة المساحة الواحدة أقل من تكلفة أي جامع حرارة ” طاقة ” متوفر حالياً . بالإضافة إلى  أن التذبذب المستمر لأسعار النفط في هذه الأيام دفع العديد من الأفراد و المؤسسات إلى البحث عن مصادر أخرى متجددة و أقل تكلفة .

كما أن  الماء الدافئ الذي حصلنا عليه بعد استخلاص حرارة البركة  يمكن استخدامه في العديد من الأغراض الصناعية  وأغراض تسخين البيوت الزجاجية خلال حدوث الإنجماد في الشتاء للمناطق المتواجدة أو القريبة من منطقة البحر الميت .

و يمكن استخدام البرك الشمسية في جميع المناخات طالما أن هناك أشعة شمسية متوافرة , و حتى لو تجمدت البركة تبقى البركة الشمسية المشبعة بالاملاح قادرة على انتاج الطاقة .

المتطلبات

حتى يتم انشاء بركة شمسية فاعلة منتجة للطاقة الكهربائية , نحتاج إالى التالي :

تتطلب مساحة واسعة نسبياً من الأراضي ذات تكلفة منخفضة .

تتطلب مياه ذات محتوى ملحي عالي .

أن يكون الموقع ذو طاقة شمسية عالية .

وكل هذه المتطلبات أو المعطيات كانت متوافرة في منطقة البحر الميت , فهي أخفض مسطح مائي في العالم و أغناها أملاحاً .

لماذا علينا  تطبيق نظام البرك الشمسية في منطقة البحر الميت ؟

– تخزين الحرارة هائل .

– الطاقة يمكن استخراجها ليلاً و نهاراً .

– ممكن توفير بركة شمسية ذات مساحة كبيرة جداً و بتكلفة منخفضة .

– يمكن بناء البركة بسهولة سواءاً في نطاق صغير أو مساحات واسعة .

– توفير الطاقة الحرارية دون حرق الوقود و بالتالي هي مصدر نظيف قليل التلوث .

– ممكن لهذه التكنولوجيا أن تكون مصدراً حرارياً قوياً للصناعات حيث أن المياه المالحة و الأملاح متوافرة جنباً إلى جنب مع مساحة كافية من الأرض و نظام عزل جيد .

– و أهم سبب من الأسباب أنها مصدر فعال لإنتاج طاقة حرارية متجددة و مستدامة بيئياً .

إذن نظام جديد تمت دراسته و تطبيقه من قبل كادر تعليمي مهتم و واع لقضايا البيئة و أهمية إيجاد البدائل , تعتبر هذه خطوة سباقة في مجال إنتاج الطاقة و تطويرها في الأردن .

لكن السؤال الذي يطرح نفسه : هل سيصل مفهوم ” الطاقة النظيفة ” للأردنيين – أو سكان الشرق الأوسط على حد سواء –  ليدفعهم للدراسة و البحث و التنقيب بشكل جدي يحوّل الأمر إلى محور بدلاً من دراسة ورقية على مكتب  ؟

Analysis of a Composting Facility

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The composting process is a complex interaction between organic waste and the microorganisms within the waste. The microorganisms that carry out this process fall into three groups: bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. Actinomycetes are a form of fungi-like bacteria that break down organic matter.

The first stage of the biological activity is the consumption of easily available sugars by bacteria, which causes a fast rise in temperature. The second stage involves bacteria and actinomycetes that cause cellulose breakdown. The last stage is concerned with the breakdown of the tougher lignins by fungi.

compost_cycle

The composting process occurs when biodegradable waste is piled together with a structure allowing for oxygen diffusion and with a dry matter content suiting microbial growth. The temperature of the biomass increases due to the microbial activity and the insulation properties of the piled material. The temperature often reaches 650C to 750C within a few days and then declines slowly. This high temperature in composting hastens the elimination of pathogens and weed seeds.

Insights into a Composting Facility

A typical composting plant consist of some or all of the following equipment:

  • bag openers,
  • magnetic and/or ballistic separators,
  • sieves,
  • shredders,
  • mixing and homogenization equipment,
  • turning equipment,
  • aeration systems,
  • bio-filters,
  • scrubbers,
  • control systems

Composting costs include site acquisition and development, regulatory compliance, facility operations, and marketing of the finished product. Additional requirements may include land for buffers around the compost facility, site preparation, and handling equipment such as shredders, screens, conveyors, and turners. Facilities and practice to control odors, leachate, and runoff are a critical part of any compost operation.

Composting_Vancouver

Composting Facility in Vancouver

The cost of constructing and operating a windrow composting facility will vary from one location to another. The operating costs depend on the volume of material processed. The use of additional feed materials, such as paper and mixed municipal solid waste, will require additional capital investment and materials processing labor.

The capital costs of windrow or aerated piles are lower than in-vessel composting configuration. However, costs increase markedly when cover is required to control odors. In general, costs of windrow systems are the lowest compared to the other two techniques. The in-vessel system is more costly than other methods, mainly with respect to capital expenditures. In addition, it is more mechanized and more equipment maintenance is necessary; however, it tends to be less labor-intensive.

Food Security in the Middle East: Perspectives

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Despite the fact that the Middle East is blessed with a rich geological inheritance of hydrocarbons and mineral resources, it is a water-scarce and arid region that has its share of demographic and socio-economic problems. It is difficult to grow food crops in the Middle East due to scarcity of water supply and limited availability of arable land. The region is highly vulnerable to fluctuations in international commodity markets because of heavy dependence on imported grains and food items.

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According to a report by the World Bank, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, “Arab countries are the largest importers of cereal in the world. Most import at least 50% of the food calories they consume.”

Countries like Egypt, Syria, Lebanon or Iraq used to be breadbaskets in the recent past but their agricultural sectors have suffered a lot due to government mismanagement, price ceilings, and underinvestment. Infact, all Arab countries are net importers of grains, with small GCC countries like Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, and Oman almost completely dependent on imports for grains.

The Middle East nations are encountering price spikes on world food markets. This is due to competition for the same food products (wheat, corn, soybeans, animal protein, etc.) from other areas of the world, especially Asia, where incomes are rising and demand for more and better calories is exploding. Besides threatening the well-being of those already living on meager resources, the price hikes have increased the number of poverty-stricken by millions in less-affluent Middle East nations.

food-security-middle-east

ستكون الدول العربيه من اكبر المستورديين للغذاء , وبالتالي ينبغي عليها تحسيين موانئها  و اماكن التخزين و اداره مخاطر الاستيراد.

To make matters worse for the food supply problem, world markets have experienced severe disruptions in the past several years from distant storms, floods and droughts — from Russia to Argentina to Australia. These natural phenomena have disrupted the fabric of global market mechanisms that underlies the international food trade. Prices for basic food staples are already at socially dangerous levels, approaching or exceeding their 2008 peaks.

Of all the Middle Eastern countries facing the current food crisis, Yemen is in the worst shape. A United Nations’ World Food Programme report states that seven million of Yemen’s 21 million people are “acutely hungry”, making Yemen the 11th most insecure food country in the world.

Aquifers are being pumped well beyond the rate of recharge, and the deeper fossil aquifers are also being rapidly depleted. As a result, water tables are falling throughout Yemen by some 2 meters per year. With water tables falling, the grain harvest has shrunk by one third over the last 40 years, while demand has continued to rise. As a result, Yemenis now import more than 80 percent of their grain.

In Saudi Arabia there is little farming without irrigation, which depends almost entirely on fossil aquifers. The desalted seawater used by Saudi Arabia to meet the ever-increasing water demand in cities is too costly for irrigation use. Saudi Arabia’s growing food insecurity has led it to buy or lease arable land in different countries, including world’s hungriest nations Ethiopia and Sudan. Infact, the Saudis are planning to produce food for themselves with the land and water resources of other countries to meet rising food demand of its rapidly growing population.

lebanon-food-security

Unfortunately, transferring agricultural land from subsistence farming to export crops has led to even more food shortages. By attempting to ensure their own food security by acquiring foreign farm holdings, affluent nations are creating new food shortages in other parts of the world.

Due to reduced flows of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, Iraq and Syria’s grain harvests have been hit badly. Given the future uncertainty of river water supplies, farmers in both countries are drilling and over-pumping more wells for irrigation. Syria’s grain harvest has fallen by one fifth since peaking at roughly 7 million tons in 2001. In Iraq, the grain harvest has fallen by one fourth since peaking at 4.5 million tons in 2002. Jordan, with 6 million people, is skating on thin ice agriculturally. Forty or so years ago, it was producing over 300,000 tons of grain per year. Today it produces only 60,000 tons and thus must import over 90 percent of its grain.

With fast growing populations and an increasing pressure on water resources, governments must act urgently to prevent the looming food crisis in the Middle East.  A recent World Bank report found great inefficiencies in many Arab ports and the ways that Arab countries store grain compared with other large wheat importers, such as the Netherlands and South Korea. Port facilities, slow customs service and inefficient transportation from the ports to the mills all contribute to the worsening food situation. Arab countries are going to be huge importers of food no matter what; therefore they should improve their port and storage facilities and manage import risks.

الطاقه المتجددة بالمغرب العربي

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المغرب، كونها أكبر مستورد للطاقة في شمال أفريقيا، تبذل جهودا مركزة للحد من اعتمادها على الوقود الأحفوري المستورد. وتعتبر الطاقة المتجددة  مصدر موثوق في بلد مثل المغرب العربي التي لديها الاعتماد الكامل تقريبا على شركات الطاقة المستوردة.والمغرب تنفق سنويا  أكثر من 3 مليارات دولار على واردات الوقود والكهرباء في حين انها تشهد نمو الطلب على الطاقة بمعدل 6.5 في المئة سنويا.

وفقا لتقرير الوزارة المغربية للطاقة والتعدين، الطاقة الإجمالية المركبة للطاقة المتجددة (باستثناء الطاقة المائية) ما يقرب من 300ميجا وات في عام 2011. وقد حققت الحكومة المغربية بالفعل هدفها المتمثل في توفير حوالي 8٪ من إجمالي الطاقة الأولية من مصادر الطاقة المتجددة بحلول عام 2012 والذي يتضمن توليد الطاقة وتحويلها وتوزيعها.المغرب يخطط لاستثمار 13 مليار دولار لتوسيع مشاريع طاقة الرياح، والقدرة على توليد الطاقة الشمسية والكهرومائية التي من شأنها ايصال حصة مصادر الطاقة المتجددة في مزيج الطاقة إلى 42٪ بحلول عام 2020، مع الطاقة الشمسية وطاقة الرياح والطاقة المائية بمساهمة فردية من كلا علي حدي تصل الي 14٪.

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برنامج الطاقة الشمسية في المغرب

أطلق المغرب أحد أكبر وأكثر الخطط طموحا في مجال الطاقة الشمسية في العالم باستثمارات قدرها 9 مليارات دولار أمريكي. وتعتبر خطة الطاقة الشمسية المغربية كعلامة فارقة على طريق البلاد نحو إمدادات طاقة آمنة ومستدامة وايضا هي طاقة نظيفة وخضراء وبأسعار معقولة. الهدف من هذه الخطة هو توليد 2000 ميغاواط (أو 2 جيجاوات) من الطاقة الشمسية بحلول العام 2020 من خلال بناء مشاريع الطاقة الشمسية على نطاق ضخم في خمس موقع – العيون (الصحراء) وبوجدور (الصحراء الغربية)، طرفاية (جنوب أغادير )، عين بني مطهر (وسط) ورزازات – باستخدام تقنيات مختلفة للطاقة الشمسية من استخدامات مسخنات حرارية والخلايا الضوئية والمركزات الشمسية.

وسيكون اول مصنع، في إطار خطة الطاقة الشمسية المغربية، سيتم التكليف به في عام 2014، ومن المتوقع أن يكتمل في عام 2019 المشروع بأكمله. وبمجرد الانتهاء،فمن المتوقع لمشروع للطاقة الشمسية توفير ما يقرب من خمس توليد الكهرباء السنوي في المغرب.

المغرب، الدولة الافريقية الوحيدة التي لديها وصلة كابلات الطاقة إلى أوروبا، هو أيضا تلعب دورا رئيسيا في خطة الطاقة الشمسية لحوض البحر المتوسط والمعروفة بمبادرة ديزيرتيك الصناعية. يهدف مفهوم ديزيرتيك لبناء محطات الطاقة الشمسية لتزويد الطاقة المتجددة من منطقة الشرق الأوسط إلى الدول الأوروبية باستخدام كابلات الجهد العالي ذات التيار المباشر (HVDC).

في المرحلة الاولي لتوليد 500ميجاواط في ورزازات وهي أكبر محطة للطاقة الشمسية الحرارية في العالم. سيتم بناؤها باستثمار 2.3 مليار يورو تقديريا، و المشروع هو المرحلة الاولي ليتم تنفيذها في إطار خطة الطاقة الشمسية المغربية. مجمع للطاقة الشمسية ورزازات، بسعة إجمالية قدرها 500 ميغاواط، وسوف يدخل في خدمة شبكات التوزيع المغربية في عام 2015 ويبلغ حجم انتاجها تقريبا 1.2 تيراوات ساعه / سنويا لتلبية الطلب المحلي. وسوف تكون المرحلة الأولى تقنية القطع المكافئ بانتاجية 160 ميغاواط في حين سيتم استخدام الخلايا الضوئية و تقنية المجمعات الشمسية CSP في مراحل لاحقة.

ومحطة عين بني التكاملية بين النظام الشمسي كدورة مركبة مع المحطة البخارية هي واحدة من مشاريع الطاقة الشمسية الواعدة في أفريقيا. المحطة تجمع بين الطاقة الشمسية والطاقة الحرارية، ويتوقع أن يصل إلى الطاقة الإنتاجية من 250ميغاواط بحلول نهاية عام 2012. البنك الأفريقي للتنمية، بالتعاون مع مرفق البيئة العالمية وهيئة الكهرباء الوطنية المغربية (ONE)، تقوم بتمويل ما يقرب من الثلثين من تكلفة المحطة، أو حوالي 200 مليون يورو.

في عام 2010، تم تعيين الوكالة المغربية للطاقة الشمسية (MASEN)، وهي مشروع مشترك للقطاعين العام والخاص مخصصا لتنفيذ هذه المشاريع. وبهدف تنفيذ المشروع ككل ال التنسيق والإشراف على الأنشطة الأخرى المتصلة بهذه المبادرة. المعنيون واصحاب القرارات من المشروع جهات تشمل صندوق الحسن الثاني للتنمية الاقتصادية والاجتماعية، شركة الاستثمار الطاقوية وهيئة الكهرباء الوطنية المغربية (ONE). ويدعم خطة الطاقة الشمسية من ألمانيا، بتمويل تقدمها وزارة البيئة الألمانية (BMU) وبنك التنمية الألماني Entwicklungsbank بينما تعمل GIZ في المهارات وبناء القدرات اللازمة للصناعة.

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A solar-powered mosque in Tadmamet, a village south of Marrakesh.

برنامج المغرب لاستخدام طاقة الرياح

المغرب لديه إمكانات ضخمة لاستخدام طاقة الرياح نظرا لان لديها 3500 كم خط الساحل ومتوسط ​​سرعة الرياح بين 6 و 11 م / ث.

مناطق بالقرب من ساحل المحيط الأطلسي، مثل الصويرة وطنجة وتطوان (مع ​​متوسط ​​سرعة الرياح السنوية بين 9.5 و 11 م / ث في 40 مترا)

 وطرفاية والعيون والداخلة، وتازة (مع متوسط ​​سرعة الرياح السنوية بين 7.5 و 9.5 م / ث في 40 مترا) بسرعه رياح جيدة.

 وفقا لدراسة أجرتها CDER وGTZ، يقدر امكانية سواحل المغرب الكلية لطاقة الرياح بنحو 7963 تيراواط ساعة سنويا، وهو ما يعادل نحو 2600 غيغاواط. تم تثبيت مجموع طاقة الرياح في المغرب في نهاية عام 2010 مع أكثر من 286  ميجا واط و اكثر من 800 ميجاواط تحت الانشاء.

تم تثبيت أول مزرعة رياح في المغرب في عام 2000 مع قدرة 50.4 ميجاواط بمنطقه الكوتيا البيضاء (Tlat Taghramt – محافظة تطوان)، تقع علي بعد 17 كم من بلدة Fnidek. الإنتاج السنوي للمشروع حوالي 200 جيجاواط ساعة، وهو ما يمثل 1٪ من استهلاك الكهرباء القومية السنوية.

 في عام 2007، تم انشاء محطةAmogdoul بقدره انتاجية 60 ميجاواط كمزرعة الرياح، على كاب سيم جنوب الصويرة، وتم نشر تفاصيل المحطة على الانترنت. وقد تم تنفيذ وتشغيل المحطة من قبل هيئة الكهرباء الوطنية المغربية ONE، وتنتج حوالي 210 جيجاواط ساعة / السنة. مشروع آخر هو 140 ميغاواط ذو علامة واضحة في مجال استخدام طاقة الرياح في Allak، EL- Haoud وBeni Mejmel، بالقرب من طنجة وتطوان والذي دخل في الشبكة القومية المغربية في عام 2010 مع انتاج سنوية تبلغ 526 جيجا واط ساعة سنويا.

المغرب لديها خطة واضحة وتسعي لتحقيقها بتوفير 2 ميجا واط من طاقة الرياح بحلول عام 2020. وسوف تخرج عن قريب اكبر محطة طاقة رياح في افريقيا بمطقة Tarfaya بقدره انتاجية 300 ميجا واط وبتكلفة استثمارية بحوالي 350 مليون دولار.

هيئة الكهرباء الوطنية المغربية ONE تقوم بتطوير حوالي نص المشاريع المتفق عليها بينما النصف الاخر يستثمر بواسطة المنتــفعين والقطاع الخاص من خلال برنامج مباردة EnergiPro والذي يقوم بتشجيع المصنعين والمستثمرين لتقليل تكاليف الانتاج بانتاج طاقة محلية بقدره 50 ميجا واط . وججزء من المباردة (ONE) تضمن الدخول للشبكة القومية مع امكانية شراء الفائض من الكهرباء المنتجة بتعريفة وحوافز تختلف باختلاف المشروع القائم للانتاج.

ترجمه: هبة احمد مسلم- دكتور الهندسة البيئية. باحث في الشئون البيئية. معهد الدراسات والبحوث البيئية– جامعه عين شمس.

مدرس بالاكاديمية العربية للعلوم والتكنولوجيا والنقل البحري-  مصر.

التحكم في البيئة والطاقه داخل المباني.

هندسة الميكانيكة- وكيل محرك دويتس الالماني بمصر. 

للتواصل عبر hebamosalam2000@gmail.com   

How To Say ‘No’ to Disposables: Useful Tips

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The waste quantities in all parts of the world are increasing many folds. In the past three decades, the waste quantities have almost been doubled. The per capita waste generation is alarmingly high especially in GCC countries. The municipal and governmental authorities have to spend huge resources in collection, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of these wastes. With limited recycling facilities and absence of reusing culture, more quantities of the waste is now to be managed.

disposable-trash

Major part of our municipal waste is still heading towards our landfill sites where it is being dumped, compacted and covered. The landfills are in quarries areas which are becoming soon filled up with the waste. In Bahrain almost 1.7 cum of space is required to accommodate 1 tons of waste.

Use of disposable cutlery has been increasing exponentially in developing countries. Despite a growing push to recycle and reuse, we must try to correct not the symptoms but the disease, and to do that, we should all avoid and reduce. The use of ‘disposables’ has increased exponentially in decades and the items and quantities are increasing with each passing day.

disposable-cutlery-waste

Use of disposable cutlery has been increasing exponentially in developing countries

Here are few suggestions to avoid the use of disposables in our daily lives:

  • Avoid paper cups and plates as paper manufacturing consume trees and are bleached white with chlorine, a process that releases dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals on the planet, and emit methane, a greenhouse gas when trashed and thrown in a landfill.
  • Avoid polystyrene and styrofoam which are hazardous, carcinogens, cause air pollution and can cause nervous system impairments among workers. Styrene can leach from containers into our food. Polystyrene cannot be recycled and never biodegrades; it only breaks down into smaller pieces, polluting the environment and harming the animals that mistake it for food.
  • Avoid bottled water and use reusable containers for water storage and drinking.
  • Avoid plastic and paper shopping bags. Keep your own cloth bag ready for all occasions.
  • Avoid plastic utensils, paper napkins, plastic cutlery, forks, spoons and knives. Use chinaware or glassware instead. For example, a sustainable mobile bartending service serve in real glassware, instead of single-use plastic cups.
  • Avoid use rechargeable batteries instead of single use batteries.
  • Avoid using disposable diapers and use cloth diapers.
  • Using ink pen rather than ball points and getting a refillables.
  • Using handkerchief rather than tissue and paper towels.
  • Avoid using disposable stirrers and individually packaged sugar, milk and creamer. Use a spoon for stirring and place the sugar and milk in reusable containers or jugs.
  • Avoid using individual sachets of chilly, mayonnaise or ketchup sauce. Store the sauce in reusable bottles and dispensers instead.
  • Avoid gift wrapping and put the gift in a reusable bag instead..

Each time you throw something in the trash, please consider that you have paid its cost and are contributing towards more waste at the landfill.

Please avoid disposables. Be wise and environmentally-friendly.

Green SMEs in Middle East: Key Challenges

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With ‘green’ being the buzzword across all industries, greening of the business sector and development of green skills has assumed greater importance all over the world, and Middle East is no exception. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in eco-design, green architecture, renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability are spearheading the transition to green economy across a wide range of industries. Green SME sector in the Middle East has been growing steadily, albeit at a slower pace than anticipated.

green enterprises

 

Regulations

One of the major obstacles in the progress of green SMEs in the Middle East the has been poorly-designed regulation. According to Ruba A. Al-Zu’bi, a renowned sustainable development consultant in MENA, “SMEs should be the drivers of transformation towards green economy in the Middle East. Lack of clear policy direction and enablers are hindering growth and competitiveness of green SMEs”.

Product market regulations which stifle competition pose a big hurdle to SMEs operating in renewables, energy, environment and sustainability sectors.  For example, state-owned companies in GCC have almost complete monopoly in network industries which have large environmental impacts (electricity/energy sector) or control strategic environmental services (water and waste management sector).

Restructuring

Restructuring of the SME sector in the Middle East is essential to allow small businesses to grow and prosper, thus catalyzing region’s transition to a green economy. SMEs account for vast majority of production units and employment across the Middle East, for example SMEs are responsible for around 60% of UAE’s GDP.

Needless to say, participation of SMEs is essential in the transition to a low-carbon economy, thus paving the way for greening the business sector and development of green skills across all industrial segments.

green-business

Green SMEs require strong government support for growth, which is unfortunately lacking in several GCC countries. As Ruba Al-Zu’bi puts it, “Despite the humongous opportunity for green growth in the Middle East, magnified by climate change, water scarcity, oil dependency and environmental footprint, green SMEs are plagued by severe challenges and competition.”

Pressing Challenges

The Middle East region is facing multiple challenges in the growth of green SME sector. As Ruba Al-Zu’bi puts it, “The most pressing challenges are (1) increasing disconnect between education and market needs and (2) the disorientation of research and development from industry priorities and trends. Government agencies, business associations and NGOs need to play a bigger role in advocating more streamlined priorities for green growth across all industrial sectors.”

Green SMEs in the region are facing significant barriers to entry despite their key role in developing locally appropriate technologies and eco-friendly business models.

Promising Initiatives

Abu Dhabi has taken a great step towards consolidation of green SME sector by creating the Masdar Free Zone. As a business cluster, Masdar Free Zone endeavors to provide SMEs and startups with an environment that inspires innovation, offers business development opportunities and provides a living lab and test bed for new technologies.

masdar_city

However office rents has been a hurdle to overcome for green SMEs with limited financial capabilities.  High office rents in Masdar Free Zone have been a major deterrent for small businesses desirous of setting shop in the business cluster.

In 2007, Qatar also launched a promising initiative to promote green growth in the form of Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) with core areas of focus being energy, environment, health sciences and information and communication technologies. During the initial phase, QSTP has been heavily focused on establishing infrastructure and attracting large companies. During the second phase, QSTP intends to target SMEs and provide them support on legal matters, finance, mentoring and business planning.

Future Perspectives

Policy interventions for supporting green SMEs in the Middle East are urgently required to overcome major barriers, including knowledge-sharing, raising environmental awareness, enhancing financial support, supporting skill development and skill formation, improving market access and implementing green taxation.

In recent decades, entrepreneurship in the Middle East has been increasing at a rapid pace which should be channeled towards addressing water, energy, environment and waste management challenges, thereby converting environmental constraints into business opportunities.

Why Chemical Data Drives ESG Reporting in MENA

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Environmental, Social, and Governance reporting (or ESG) has become a major priority for organizations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Investors, regulators, customers, and business partners increasingly expect companies to provide measurable evidence of their environmental and sustainability performance.

Sometimes companies are so reliant on chemical data that it ends up being the basis of their disclosures. The reason is that it’s nearly impossible to publish credible ESG metrics or show how they have progressed toward sustainability targets if they lack accurate knowledge of the various substances they use, store, transport, and dispose of during different operations.

chemical data for esg reporting

The Link Between Chemical Data and ESG Performance

Environmental data, including many of the common indicators in ESG reports, is backed up with chemical information. A look at safety data sheets (SDSs), a chemical inventory, and compliance data offers companies a better idea of the impact of the materials they use.

By using tools like KHA Environmental, many companies are dealing with this issue by bringing together SDS and chemical stock data. This approach not only aligns unit conversion, but it also ensures standardized reporting from plant to plant, and enables the generation of audit-proof disclosures. Sustainability departments will be happier with the same results when it comes to reviewing several locations’ performance.

Measuring Hazardous Waste and Emissions

Some ESG reporting systems require waste generation and air release from the facility to be quantified. These assessments are mainly based on chemical data. In addition, their scope includes hazardous classification, disposal guidelines, and handling information.

The data enables the sustainability group to analyze hazardous waste intensity and trends over time. Transparency generally gives insight that often means waste minimization and process upgrades.

Supporting Worker Health and Safety Metrics

In the context of employee exposure to workplace hazards, the social element of ESG reporting would include information about chemicals. A complete chemical inventory together with the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) that accompany dangerous materials gives clear and comprehensive accounts of potential hazards, proper handling methods, and protection requirements.

Employers or organizations are able to utilize this information to evaluate workplace dangers and take necessary safety precautions, resulting in increased occupational health and safety reporting.

Improving Water Quality and Compliance Reporting

Water scarcity and overuse continue to be major issues related to environmental and community sustainability throughout the MENA region. As such, there is an increasing expectation that companies should be transparent about their water consumption and pollution prevention methods.

Chemical tracking systems can be really helpful for finding out which substances in a company’s operations may pose a threat to the quality of the company’s wastewater or to environmental discharge. When they understand the chemical properties, businesses can carry out wastewater treatment much better and quite a bit lower the risks of contamination. Such actions ultimately help achieve higher accuracy in disclosing the ESG performance on water-related factors.

Creating Consistency Across Multiple Facilities

Many businesses have their operations spread among different facilities, warehouses, factories, or work premises. Such distribution of operations usually promotes growth of the company but can at the same time introduce problems if chemical data are collected differently at various places.

The fact that chemical terms differ, different kinds of statements are used, and different types of units are measured is a significant hurdle in preparing ESG reports. Setting up a centralized chemical management platform is the solution to this problem since it helps with the unified application of the same standards, principles, and practices on all sites. As you can see, not only is the data quality improved, but also the generation of the report is becoming simpler and faster.

Strengthening Governance Through Better Data Management

Strong ESG performance is closely tied to effective governance practices. Chemical information should not be regarded as solely an environmental or safety topic but should be integrated into the overall organizational governance strategy.

Having an explicit person accountable for chemical records, reviewing safety data sheets regularly, checking inventory from time to time, and developing clear reporting protocols are some of the ways that lead to higher data integrity. Apart from reducing mistakes, these practices enhance the reliability of sustainability reports. Stronger governance systems are usually an asset that enables organizations to disclose their environmental, social, and corporate governance activities to stakeholders.

Building Credible ESG Reporting in the MENA Region

As ESG expectations evolve across the MENA region, businesses are coming to understand the importance of accurate operational data. Chemical data is fundamental as it is used to support environmental, health, safety, and compliance metrics across industries.

Through the integration of SDS records, inventory items, emissions tracking, waste management issues, and compliance activities, companies can prepare more accurate ESG reports. Superior data increases transparency, apart from helping decision-making and achieving better sustainability results.

Taking into account that in such a commercial landscape, accountability matters more than other things, management and reporting of chemical information has evolved from just being a regulatory obligation to becoming the cornerstone of genuine ESG reporting and sustainable environmental management.

Portable Battery Packs: The Definitive Guide

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With more people working outside of homes, preparing for power outages, or just working from home, portable power stations have become a more affordable solution to backup power. Unlike fuel-powered generators, these quiet and exhaust-free battery devices are able to safely provide power to many common household items inside as long as the user conforms to the manufacturer’s specifications.

To select a good model to suit your needs without opting for the biggest and/ or most expensive model, it helps to grasp several essential specification and options related to the best portable battery packs.

a portable power station at a camping site

What is a Portable Power Station?

A portable power station is a large rechargeable battery pack, often integrated along with an inverter and various types of AC (110/120V) outputs as well as DC (USB/5V) ports. At its core, it stores electrical energy that can be applied to power or work with devices in due time.

Portable generators are not like a traditional generator.

  • Don’t burn gasoline or diesel.
  • Produce little operating noise
  • Require minimal maintenance
  • They can typically be recharged from wall sockets, solar panels, or vehicle chargers.

So these also perform, of course, according to the battery capacity, size, and power specification of the inverter and charging facility.

General Applications for Portable Power Station

Portable power stations come in handy for a wide range of situations.

Camping and Outdoor Activities

These are used by many campers to run:

  • LED lights
  • Smartphones
  • Laptops
  • Cameras
  • Portable refrigerators
  • Fans
  • GPS devices

They also work in silence, making them great for campsites where noise matters.

Emergency Backup

Portable power stations can keep the following pieces of equipment running during a blackout or off-grid living:

  • Wi-Fi routers
  • Mobile phones
  • Medical devices (within power limits)
  • Small refrigerators
  • Lights
  • Laptops

Bigger models can additionally accommodate office tools or further appliances for short periods of time.

RV and Van Life

Portable power stations are used for several purposes among travelers, such as:

  • Cooking appliances
  • Device charging
  • Entertainment systems
  • Portable coolers
  • Small kitchen equipment

Many of these systems will also work with portable solar panels for longer times off-grid.

Key Features to Consider

Selecting the right portable power station starts with understanding its specs.

Battery Capacity (Wh)

Capacity in watt-hours (Wh) tells how much energy the battery can store.

Typical ranges include:

  • 200–300Wh: Phones, cameras, tablets, lights
  • 500 – 700Wh: For laptops, CPAP machines, small fridges
  • 1,000–2,000Wh: Home backup, RV-ing/Travel use (multiple appliances)
  • 2,000Wh+: Extended outages and applications with high current demands

While the higher capacity usually results in longer runtime, it may also come with bigger and heavier batteries.

Output Power (Watts)

You may want the inverter rated above this so you can run multiple appliances from the power station.

Check both:

  • Continuous output
  • Surge (peak) output

Motorized devices, such as refrigerators and pumps. Additionally, you may need more power when starting the appliances.

Battery Chemistry

Most new portable power stations use LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries.

LiFePO₄ batteries generally provide the following advantages over traditional lithium-ion chemistries:

  • Longer service life
  • Greater thermal stability
  • More charge cycles
  • Improved durability

This battery type has started to become common on modern premium power stations.

Charging Options

The majority of portable power stations use several load-bearing methods including:

  • AC wall charging
  • Solar charging
  • Vehicle charging
  • Generator charging (on compatible models)

Certain models are even compatible with fast charging for far reduced charge times.

Available Ports

Depending on the outputs available, you use it where.

Common options include:

  • AC outlets
  • USB-A
  • USB-C Power Delivery
  • 12V DC ports
  • Car socket

Pay attention to the number and types of ports when comparing models, so you can find one to fit your existing and future devices.

How to Choose the Right Size

Choosing the right size is based on how you plan to use it.

Primary Use                                                      Suggested Capacity

Phone charging and lighting                                     200–300Wh

Weekend camping                                                    300–700Wh

Remote work                                                             500–1,000Wh

RV travel                                                                   1,000–2,000Wh

Home emergency backup                                         2,000Wh or more

Before picking a unit, it’s often useful to approximate the total watt output of all appliances you wish to run.

Advantages of Portable Power Stations

There are some practical advantages of portable power stations:

  • Quiet operation
  • No fuel storage required
  • Low maintenance
  • Indoor-safe operation when used correctly
  • Multiple charging methods
  • Compatibility with solar energy

All these factors have made them increasingly popular for recreational and emergency use.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

Portable power stations are quite versatile, but they have their limits.

Battery capacity is not infinite, and it has to be charged. The inverter may not be able to handle some heavy appliances, but with the best-quality inverter, it can handle much of the power equipment. But larger-capacity models are heavy and therefore much less portable. It is helpful to frame these trade-offs to manage expectations.

Maintenance Tips

It reinforces how proper maintenance can help you achieve maximum battery life.

  • Put it in a cool, dry place.
  • If your storage time is longer, you should charge it regularly to maintain it.
  • Do not expose it to too much warmth or moisture.
  • Follow the charging practices recommended by the manufacturer
  • Check for firmware updates if the model offers app connectivity.

Final Thoughts

The deal with the best portable power stations is that they will depend on your specific energy needs, portability preference, and how you plan to use it. This information provides insight into specifications that can help you decide what kind of power station to choose, whether it’s so you have backup power in case of a blackout; use for off-grid camping or sheltering; both during emergencies or natural disasters, or simply on camping trips, including safety (fire resistance and chemical prevention) and output.

An Introduction to Solar Pond

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A solar pond is a three-dimensional, open-air pit, filled with water endowed with special properties. It receives solar energy through insulation, then the trapped heat is extracted from it from the water lying at the bottom of the pond. When solar energy falls onto the pond, it heats the water, splitting it into three sections: the first section is the uppermost layer, or Surface Zone, containing fresh water with a low level of salinity. This owes to the fact that salts gather at the bottom.

The second layer is the middle layer, called the insulating layer or Insulation Zone, whose salinity is greater than that of the surface level. The most important layer, though, is the bottom or lowest layer, known as the Storage Zone. This is the layer which retains solar energy and at which the extraction of energy is possible. This saturated layer is between approximately one and two metres thick, whereas the pond is generally two or more metres deep.

solar-pond

When the water of any Solar Pond gathers heat, it expands, becomes less dense, and rises. As soon as it reaches the pond’s surface, is loses its heat to the air as water vapour or by convection currents. The coolest water, which is considered the densest and heaviest, changes places with warm water which has risen to the surface, thus creating a natural carrying movement which mixes up the water and disperses the heat energy.

Importance of Solar Ponds

Solar Ponds provide the simplest technique for transforming the sun’s energy into solar power, which can be extracted for different purposes. Check out solar panel installers if you want to make the best use of solar energy.

Solar Ponds are unique in their ability to gather and store energy simultaneously. It is known that the cost of Solar Ponds per unit area are less than any other current popular solar energy collector, as well as the fact that the continuous fluctuations in oil prices in recent times have pushed many individuals and organisations to look for other, cheaper, renewable sources of energy.

Similarly, the warm water which we get after extracting the pond’s heat can then be put to multiple industrial uses and for heating greenhouses in or around the Dead Sea region when the winter frosts set in. Solar Ponds can be used in all climates, as long as there is lots of sun, and even if the pond froze over, it would still be able to generate energy as it is saturated with salts.

For an efficient, energy-generating Solar Pond to be set up, the following are needed: a relatively large area of low-cost land, water with high salinity and lots of sunshine. All these prerequisites are abundant in the Dead Sea region, which is the lowest and saltiest body of water in the world. Solar Pond system in the Dead Sea will help in large-scale energy storage and should be seen as an innovative step in the field of energy production and development in Jordan.

Solar Pond in the Dead Sea

In order to extract heat from the water of the Dead Sea, a small, square Solar Pond, 1.25 metres deep and 2.0 metres wide was designed as a test by Hashem al-Balawneh, an engineering student from Jordan, under the guidance of Dr. Khaldun al-Wahoosh. This solar pond was constructed in the Dead Sea region, at the coordinates 0 20 30 N, 0 30 35 E. Heat is prevented from escaping via convection by the Dead Sea water’s specific salinity, as well as by the addition of a group of Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride and Sodium Bicarbonate salts (NaCl, MgCl₂ and NaHCO₃), which are also extracted from the Dead Sea.

Solar Ponds in the Dead Sea have a certain characteristic which allows them to keep heat energy, and that is the increase in salinity with increased depth. Accordingly, density also increases with depth, forcing the warm water to stay lower down because of the salts. Next, the heat which the water has absorbed in the last, salt-saturated layer whose temperature can reach between 85-90°C – moves turbines, thus generating clean, renewable, environmentally-friendly electrical energy.

Translated by Katie Holland

Katie Holland graduated from Durham University in 2015 with a degree in Arabic and French, having also studied Persian. Currently working in London, she hopes to develop a career that uses her knowledge of Arabic and the Middle East, alongside pursuing her various interests in the arts.