20 September, 2016

Affordable Solar Energy is a driving force of Middle East innovation

Intersolar Middle East exhibitors state low solar energy costs enable them to develop technologies in the region

20 September, Dubai – Falling solar energy costs are driving innovation and the creation of new intelligent energy systems for managing solar energy in the Middle East, according to participants at the 2016 Intersolar Middle East at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Day two of the action packed Intersolar Middle East saw Ben Hill, Vice President of Tesla Energy, deliver a keynote presentation on the future of energy storage and how batteries can revolutionise the solar industry.
Visitors were also delighted in entering an exclusive competition to experience the Middle East’s first electric car - which is powered by energy, ahead of the pioneering Emirates Tesla electric vehicle road trip (EVRT). 
“Technology has proven to be a key driver in bringing costs down and efficiencies up, and has enabled utilities companies to leverage the power of the sun in their energy mix.” said Fadi Nassif, Director for Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey at GE Power Conversion.
“In line with this trend, we’re preparing to launch next generation technology inverters that will support utilities in the Middle East with even higher efficiency and reliability,” he said.
Over the past 80 years GE has built a reputable position in the MENA region driving its infrastructure development, and is now extending its advance suite of solar solutions in leveraging solar power efficiency.
As the host for Intersolar Middle East, Dubai has been at the forefront of efforts to reduce solar energy costs. It made headlines earlier this year when announcing that is building a massive 800-megawatt solar plant that will produce electricity at an average cost of just 2.99 cents a kilowatt hour, substantially below what even coal-fired power plants charge.
Beyond Dubai, the 2016 Bloomberg New Energy Outlook expects that zero-emission energy sources will make up 60 percent of installed capacity by 2040. Wind and solar will also account for 64 percent of the 8.6TW of new power generating capacity added worldwide over the next 25 years, and for almost 60 percent of the US$11.4 trillion being invested.
“As the world contends with growing demand for electricity, volatile fuel costs, and climate change concerns, renewable energy resources such as solar power are playing a larger role in the search for energy solutions. GE is using its expertise and industry leadership to deliver solar energy solutions able to offer both performance and reliability,” Nassif said.
Intersolar Middle East welcomes government, business, and industry leaders to attend the three days solar energy exhibition. A senior official at Austrian solar technology manufacturer, Fronius, has said that smart energy distribution systems can help drive costs down even further.
“Fronius is leading the way by developing solutions that are bringing us closer to our goal of 24-hours of sun,” said Martin Hackl, Head of the Solar Energy Division at Fronius.
“To make this vision reality we need to be able to generate, store, distribute and consume renewable energy efficiently and intelligently - particularly solar energy,” explained Hackl.
The MENA region solar industry is developing at such a fast-pace, keeping up to date with latest global technology will help elevate their progression in terms of storage, distribution and maintenance. This time comes shortly after the launch of Fronius 24 hours of sun campaign, focusing on the goal of the world’s energy being generated purely by renewable resources. For them to make this vision a reality renewable energy companies must understand fully how to generate, store, distribute and consume this energy efficiently.  In this bid, the sun and its solar energy plays a key role with all major countries in the region taking advantage.
In addition to thousands of businesses showcasing the latest solar technologies to visitors from around the world, around 200 world leaders, including energy ministers will attend Intersolar Middle East. 
Intersolar Middle East held on until 21 September 2016, at Dubai World Trade Centre.
=