Is the Air We Breathe Our Next Source of Fresh Water?The United Arab Emirates and other GCC states have long been pioneers in using technology to provide fresh water in a desert environment, with desalination supplying much of the region’s drinking water. At the World Future Energy Summit, the Water Exhibition & Forum is showing where the next innovations will be found – including extracting water from air. Atmospheric water generators from US-based company Drinkable Air Technologies LLC are among the cutting-edge devices to see at the expo, using ambient humidity to create pure, fresh drinking water from the air we breathe. Other exhibition products on show include water purification systems, piping, and technologies that help reduce water loss and improve the efficiency of water distribution infrastructure – along with the latest, more sustainable desalination systems. “Water is a precious commodity, and the technologies showcased at the Water Expo & Forum can help provide solutions to water management challenges in the region,” said Grant Tuchten, Group Event Director, World Future Energy Summit. “The event helps provide opportunities for key technology providers, government stakeholders, developers and experts to network, share knowledge and do business together.” The Water Exhibition & Forum is hosted in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company, which is the government agency that safely collects, treats, disposes, and recycles wastewater from residential and commercial customers. Leading decision makers participating include H.E. Eng. Fatima Al-Foora Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Electricity, Water and Future Energy Affairs, Ministry of Energy & Industry, UAE – who addressed the forum on UAE water security priorities as part of its Day 2 programme on Tuesday. In total, the Water Exhibition & Forum brings together hundreds of water and wastewater manufacturers and suppliers, public and private sector business and technology innovators, and global thought leaders to showcase the latest solutions and exchange best practices in water and wastewater sustainability. Prominent exhibitors include Andritz Group, among Austria’s leading firms for specialised industry plant, equipment, and services; BMC Gulf LLC, a Dubai-based engineering firm; Hepworth, a Dubai-based manufacturer and marketer of integrated piping systems; and Turan Makina, a Turkey-headquartered multi-national manufacturer of plastic piping systems. Alongside the exhibition, the forum programme features industry discussions on topics including efficient water management, GCC water security priorities, mitigating natural and unnatural threats to water security, water in the digital age, desalination, agricultural water innovations, maximising water reuse, water aid, scaling up new water resources, and KPIs and funding. The World Future Energy Summit, hosted by Masdar as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global platform for accelerating the world’s sustainable development, is being held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 13-16 January 2020. |
