Sustainable energy generation

Plastics form an integral part of our everyday lives but increasing awareness in recent times has shifted the focus from creating products that offer energy to products that simply allow us to use less energy while offering the same levels of efficiency and effectiveness. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC) report submitted to the United Nations (UN), transparent plastics are suitable for many power generation methods.
 
This has been recognised by countries in the Middle East and North African region. At the 4th GPCA conference this year, Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, the Secretary General of Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemical Association (GPCA), said, “It is heartening to see continued industry support to an initiative that drives technology and innovation thought leadership. The proactive nature of the industry is a must to ensure sustainable development in a society that relies heavily on plastics in all walks of life.”

Solar energy as alternative
Plastics have been greatly deployed in solar energy production. Solar modules are being used in business and residential settings and plastic solar tiles with injection moulded acrylic covers appear identical to clay tiles and conceal solar cells, making them visually attractive. Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) cells convert solar radiation into electricity, which can be used or stored in a battery to be used later.

Solar heat uses the sun as an energy alternative when it converts sun rays into heating energy, helping people enjoy a climate friendly lifestyle without deploying fossil fuels. If acrylics are used as the solar collector lens, it offers greater energy transmission, cost efficiency and other benefits.

The UAE is doing everything to offer its valued contributions to the renewable sector. The capital, Abu Dhabi aims to produce at least 7 percent of its electricity through alternative energy resources by 2020, while its neighbor Dubai targets 5 percent. UAE’s $18 billion Masdar project, a self-sustaining solar-powered city in the capital Abu Dhabi is expected to place the country at the forefront of renewable energy projects. The Shams 1 concentrated solar power plant – the largest solar power plant in the Middle East and North Africa – recently won the Project of the Year award from the Emirates Solar Industry Association (ESIA).

Dubai has also announced plans of renewable energy projects with its Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Makhtoum Solar park. At a cost of AED 12 billion, the project will be operated by the local Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and will commence power production by fourth quarter of 2013. Guidelines and tips on electricity and water conservation issued by DEWA suggested that various other solar projects such as fee collection machines in car parks, public telephone cabins, warning signal lights and programmes for solar cell production and execution of photovoltaic systems are being planned in the UAE.

According to the recently published study by leading industry consultants, AMI Consulting, the photovoltaic industry grew at 70 percent from 2006 to 2011 and further acceleration is expected. In 2011, the polymer usage in photovoltaic module manufacturing exceeded $2 billion. Costs of PV production have also dipped. According to AMI consulting, the PV module prices have gone down by 50 percent in the last 18 months.

Companies like Arkema have been present in the photovoltaics market since long and offer polymers that are perfect to deliver excellent performance given that the average lAir Force High