Category Archives: Energy

Everything You Need to Know About Jatropha

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Jatropha is a genus of nearly 175 species of shrubs, low-growing plants, and trees.  However, discussions of Jatropha as a biodiesel feedstock are actually means a particular species of the plant, Jatropha curcas. The plant is indigenous to parts of Central America, however it has spread to other tropical and subtropical regions in Africa and Asia. What is Jatropha? Jatropha curcas is a perennial shrub that, on average, grows approximately three to five meters in height. It has smooth grey bark with large and pale green leaves. The plant produces flowers and fruits are produced in winter or throughout the … Continue reading →

Energy Efficiency Initiatives at the Hashemite University

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The Hashemite University environmental sustainability policy is focused on achieving sufficiency and sustainability through energy reduction practices, along with energy efficient approaches, building techniques, and electromechanical devices. These measures were employed in all of the new building expansion on campus (with more than 70,000 m2) of newly added building area. These practices are divided into categories: passive and active. Passive Measures Passive energy efficiency measures focus on harnessing the natural resources in the campus area to create comfortable conditions for the campus users, especially indoors, including the following techniques used throughout the campus: Building envelope and materials: The choice of building … Continue reading →

Managing Water-Energy Nexus For Better Tomorrow

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Water is an essential part of human existence, green source of energy production and input for thermal power generation. The world’s 7 billion people are dependent on just 3% (called freshwater) of the total volume of water on earth. The MENA region is home to 6.3 percent of world’s population but has access to measly 1.4 percent of the world’s renewable fresh water. Due to burgeoning population and rapid economic growth, the per capita water availability is expected to reduce to alarming proportions in the coming decades. The demand for water is expected to increase significantly in future, which is also … Continue reading →

Reasons Why Fracking is Environmentally Unsound

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Fracking is, “the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside” [1]. Fracking remains controversial due to its negative effect on the environment- especially in light of climate change. As such, it is necessary to explore the downsides of fracking as well as environmentally-friendly alternatives. Negative Impacts of Fracking Fracking is a very popular source of energy. However, it is unsustainable and wasteful.  This is as, “fracking uses huge amounts of water, which must be transported to the site at significant environmental cost” [1]. In addition, … Continue reading →

What is Climate Change Disinformation?

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For decades, the oil and coal industries and some of their largest industrial customers have conducted a sophisticated and wildly successful multi-million dollar campaign to convince the public that climate change is not a serious threat. The impetus for the climate change disinformation campaign has been to protect industry profits by blocking any action designed to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other global heating gases produced in burning fossil fuels. Policies such as carbon taxes and carbon caps are intended to limit the release of carbon dioxide by restraining demand for fossil fuels. Fossil fuel companies, however, have … Continue reading →

استخراج الوقود من النفايات – وسيلة لتحويل القمامة إلى كنز

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لقد أدى ارتفاع معدل النمو السكاني والتوسع العمراني والازدهار الاقتصادي في الشرق الأوسط إلى تسريع معدلات الاستهلاك وزيادة معدل إنتاج النفايات بجميع أنواع؛ حيث تحتل كل من البحرين والسعودية والإمارات العربية المتحدة وقطر والكويت المراتب العشر الأولى في العالم من حيث نصيب الفرد من توليد النفايات الصلبة. وقد تعدت كمية توليد النفايات الصلبة الإجمالية في دول الشرق الأوسط 150 مليون طن سنوياً. أصبح خفض حجم وكتلة النفايات قضية حاسمة نظراً لمحدودية توفر مواقع التخلص من النفايات. هنالك، ولا شك، حاجة واضحة للحد وإعادة استخدام وإعادة تدوير النفايات، ولكن في اللآونة الأخيرة، بدأت عملية تحويل النفايات إلى وقود تكتسب أهمية كوسيلة … Continue reading →

Peak Oil: Perspectives for Saudi Arabia

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The term ‘peak oil’ is ominous to the Middle East, as most of the countries in the region are heavily dependent on oil and natural gas for industrial, economic and social development. Petroleum is considered one of the world’s most important sources of energy generation, after uranium, of course. Many other substances have been tested in order to be used as alternatives to petroleum, but none have hitherto been successful. Scientific research illustrates how the world is facing catastrophe if it doesn’t find an alternative to oil, as it is currently impossible for the global economy to grow without sufficient amounts … Continue reading →

Prioritising the Health and Safety of Workers Across All Energy Sectors

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With almost 250 fatalities in the oil industry for every one death of a worker in wind power, the renewable energy sector appears to be a much safer environment in which to work. Of course, the production of oil has a long established history and a much larger workforce; the International Labour Organisation estimates that at least 6 million people work directly for the industry. However as the renewable energy sector continues to grow, it may yet present some of the same health and safety risks as fossil fuel industries. And due to new hazards such as the extreme height of wind turbines, … Continue reading →

التكسير الهيدروليكي لطبقات التربة وآثارها

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عملية التكسير الهيدروليكي, هي وسيله لتحفيز استخراج الغاز من الطبقات الغير مسامية عن طريق تدفق سائل بين الصخور في باطن الارض. وقد تمكنت التقنيات الحديثة في الحفر والتنقيب للوصول الي استخراج الغاز الطبيعي من طبقات ارضية كان يتعذر الوصول اليها سابقا باستخدام التقنيات التقليدية في الحفر والتنقيب. وتشمل هذه التقنيات ضخ سوائل غنية بالماء في بئر حتي يسبب ضغط السائل في عمق معين من التربة الي كسر وتشقق هذه الصخور. السائل الذي يتم ضخه يحتوي علي جزيئات صغيرة, مثل الرمال الغنية بالكوارتيز او مواد كيميائية التي تعمل علي خلق الشقوق والكسور في طبقات التربة الغير مسامية. عمليات التكسير الهيدروليكي في … Continue reading →

What Will Power the Future of Trains – Hydrogen or Batteries?

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Trains may seem outdated to some, but they’re one of the most eco-friendly modes of transportation. Even diesel trains produce fewer emissions per passenger per kilometer than cars and planes. Electric trains are also gaining popularity, with both battery-powered and hydrogen options available. Given current climate concerns, the move to electric trains is inevitable. It’s not a question of whether railroads will go electric, but rather how they’ll do so. Both hydrogen and batteries show significant promise, but which technology will become the standard for future locomotives? The hydrogen-versus-batteries debate isn’t a new one, and it likely won’t go away … Continue reading →

Eco-Friendly Additions You Can Make On Your House Before You Sell

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If there’s one thing 2020 has taught us, it’s that life is unpredictable. One would think that with the global pandemic, the real estate industry, like many others, would come to a grinding stop. But, according to HomeLight’s Q2 2020 survey, it took a dip in the spring and as of June, it rose back to pre-pandemic conditions! As this is a seller’s market, now would be the perfect time to sell your home. However, if you want to get the most you can for your home, you may want to consider doing some eco-friendly renovations and upgrades. Here are … Continue reading →

Reducing Energy Poverty is Crucial to Sustainable Development

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The world is currently facing an unprecedented health crisis, and as usual the vulnerable communities are hit the hardest.  Energy poverty (or lack of access to electricity) is worsening the humanitarian crisis amid COVID-19 pandemic, and is preventing the poor from securing social benefits and economic opportunities. Electricity, in modern life, is the foundation and lifeline for communities and economies to run and thrive. There is a growing international acknowledgement of the strong ties between poverty and lack of access to modern energy. For example, in impoverished communities, peoples’ well-being is in grave danger, because of the use of dirty … Continue reading →