How Power Generation and Marine Propulsion Engine Markets Are Transitioning to a Net-Zero Future

This article was originally published on PMV.

Ever since the ambitious net-zero emission goal has been set, businesses the world over has committed to doing their part to achieve the target. The world is not lacking in terms of private entities offering their roadmap for the gradual reduction of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

In the UAE, the business community has embraced varied climate actions and green business approaches. This has become even more significant in light of the Arab country’s race to become net-zero by 2050. More than $160 billion will go into the national decarbonisation-related initiatives designed to steer the country towards a net-zero economy.

In Al Masaood Power Division, one of Abu Dhabi’s leading business conglomerates Al Masaood Group, the implementation of net-zero emission efforts is on full blast. Carbon footprint reduction is now entrenched into the division’s internal and external operations to bring down the business cost, increase operational efficiency and help advance the overall sustainability tactics of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

By Rasso Bartenschlager, general manager, Al Masaood Power Division.

Paperless, waste reduction, including hazardous waste, and LED installation are some of Al Masaood Power’s internal initiatives. The paperless campaign, for one, is targeted to deliver 50 per cent paper cost savings whilst a culture of recycling, reuse and waste segregation is continuously being nurtured within the organisation. On electricity conservation, 90% of the division’s facilities are equipped with LED lights to reduce consumption.

At the national level, Al Masaood Power sees opportunities to advance the zero-carbon goal through the rollout of sustainable power solutions such as smart microgrids, battery storage systems (BESS), fuel cell systems, internal combustion engines powered by hydrogen and other hybrid technologies.

Microgrid solutions are key to providing reliable power supplies to communities and protecting the future of energy. Microgrids are decentralized energy systems that consist of renewable power generation, power storage and conventional power generation. They integrate the deployment of distributed energy sources such as solar power to meet consumer demand. In 2020, Al Masaood formally introduced its smart microgrid solution manufactured by MTU to the local market as part of its offerings within the sustainability realm.

Similarly, fuel cell technology is seen to address pressing social and environmental challenges along with rising global energy requirements. Such a system is not only reliable and scalable but also boasts of having the ability to use renewable energy sources.

Al Masaood Power also made a milestone in 2021 when it launched the MTU- and Volvo Penta-manufactured sustainable engines for the UAE’s mega yacht industry. The environment-friendly engines guarantee high-performing electric propulsion and emission-free anchoring and maneuvering.

On rental power, Al Masaood Power has included a full range of energy solutions offering a short- and long-term rental portfolio in the UAE since the end of last year. Equipped with paralleling and synchronizing capabilities to provide power to multimegawatt plant projects, the division’s diesel generator ranges in size from 80KVA to 3500KVA and the gas generator from 250KVA to 2500KVA. The product portfolio includes accessories, remote monitoring, transportation and fuel, sizing and connecting services, and 24/7 support, amongst others.
Apart from these initiatives, the division is also working on a concept design for a standalone E-Vehicle charging hub. This facility will run independently from external energy sources by solely using an integrated renewable energy source. The target launch of the hub is in the third quarter of 2022.

Amidst growing actions against carbon emissions, now is the time to reimagine and rethink the future of power generation systems and industrial diesel engine applications to make them more responsive to the needs of the times. To maintain their relevance and competitiveness, businesses should make a paradigm shift and embrace a long-lasting net-zero emission strategy. Given the global sustainability trend, such a transition is going to be non-negotiable in this century.