Gulf Construction Online - Innovative technologies to bolster water security

Water Technology

Eilers and Al Awadhi shake hands on the deal as Al-Suwaidi and Rao look on.

Innovative technologies to bolster water security

01 October 2024

In a significant step towards enhancing water security and energy efficiency, the UAE has secured partnerships with two innovative technology companies. Montana Technologies Corporation and TenX Investment have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deploy AirJoule atmospheric water generators in the UAE, while Emirates Electrical & Instrumentation Company (EEIC) and MediSun Energy have joined forces to improve desalination efficiency.

The collaboration between Montana Technologies, the developer of the AirJoule technology for atmospheric water generation, and TenX aims to leverage AirJoule’s cutting-edge technology to generate pure distilled water from air and reduce energy consumption for air-conditioning. The company and TenX will explore options to deploy AirJoule units with initial installations focusing on critical infrastructure and community water needs.

“We are excited to work with TenX for this international deployment of AirJoule units,” says Ramdas Rao, President, International of Montana Technologies. “The UAE has been at the forefront of adopting transformative technologies that enable sustainable development and responsible decarbonisation. Along with our strategic investors including Transition Equity Partners (TEP), GE Vernova, and Carrier Corporation, among others, we look forward to optimising our initial international rollout and operations in the UAE and working to enable water security and energy efficient comfort cooling in high growth markets around the world.”

Pat Eilers, Executive Chairman of Montana Technologies and founder of TEP, says: “TenX’s expertise and mission alignment in water security and sustainability projects makes them an ideal partner for deploying AirJoule in the UAE with a pathway towards further collaboration on local manufacturing and distribution in the future.”

Montana Technologies, through its 50/50 joint venture with GE Vernova, is commercialising AirJoule atmospheric water generators that harvest water from both humid and arid atmospheres, producing pure distilled water and dehumidified air. AirJoule units utilise metal organic framework coated contactors to extract water from air in a highly efficient and scalable process.

Kim and Dermosessian at the signing ceremony.

Matt Jore, CEO of Montana Technologies, says: “Since demonstrating the AirJoule unit at COP 28 in Dubai in late 2023, there has been strong interest in the technology from customers across the world.”

TenX Investment is currently focused on projects that enhance water security, energy efficiency, and sustainability. This MOU aligns with its strategy of investing in innovative technologies that provide substantial environmental and economic benefits. By integrating AirJoule into its portfolio, TenX aims to offer sustainable water and energy solutions that reinforce its commitment to driving efficiency and sustainability.

Abdulrahman Al-Suwaidi, Managing Director at TenX Investment, comments: “We are proud to partner with Montana Technologies and look forward to investing in and deploying their innovative AirJoule technology both in the UAE and internationally.”

Husain Al Awadhi, Managing Director at TenX Investment, adds: “The UAE government has allocated over AED20 billion towards water security and sustainable energy projects as part of its Vision 2030 strategy. By integrating Montana Technologies’ AirJoule systems, we aim to enhance the region’s water generation capabilities and reduce energy consumption.”

Meanwhile, EEIC and MediSun Energy have announced a collaboration to integrate MediSun Energy’s in osmotic (blue) energy technology into desalination processes. WEGen uses osmotic power to generate electricity and reduce energy consumption in desalination plants.

The MoU was officially endorsed by Hagop Dermosessian, General Manager of EEIC and GCG Engineering Services, and Dusun Kim, Co-Founder and CEO of MediSun Energy, during the World Utilities Congress 2024 last month. Through this collaboration, EEIC will leverage MediSun Energy’s innovative WEGen technology to advance energy efficiency in desalination processes and brine management.

The collaboration addresses pressing water and energy challenges while supporting the UAE’s sustainability and innovation goals. Traditional reverse osmosis (RO) systems are energy-intensive and produce brine as a byproduct, leading to significant environmental and economic issues. In contrast, MediSun Energy’s pioneering WEGen technology is claimed to offer a transformative solution by enhancing energy efficiency through the use of osmotic power. This cutting-edge technology not only generates electricity but also significantly reduces overall energy consumption in desalination.

Kim states: “Our collaboration with EEIC represents a significant advancement in sustainable water management. By integrating our WEGen technology, which utilises osmotic power, we can improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption by up to 30 per cent compared to traditional RO systems. This collaboration is pivotal for achieving our vision of blue energy and delivering sustainable solutions in the UAE.”

Dermosessian comments: “Our collaborative efforts will importantly help to stimulate the future of sustainable water brine management in the UAE. Leveraging our core competencies to deliver innovative and efficient solutions is an exciting step to protect the wider environment and mitigate the effects of costly RO systems. Our collaboration with MediSun Energy as the exclusive distributor for the UAE and our expertise spanning over two decades reflect our dedication to delivering comprehensive solutions in the renewable energy field.”