Maxime Merheb, Rachel Matar, Milad Soleimani, John Marton, Kamel Abou Youssef, Rawad Hodeify, N. Shafiq
{"title":"Alternative Energy in the UAE: The Potential of Biofuels Sourced from Ras Al Khaimah Mangroves","authors":"Maxime Merheb, Rachel Matar, Milad Soleimani, John Marton, Kamel Abou Youssef, Rawad Hodeify, N. Shafiq","doi":"10.18502/aqf.0091","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"By analyzing the abundant microorganisms in the naturally occurring mangroves of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this policy paper discusses the feasibility of a future where the emirate invests in biofuels sourced from its mangroves as opposed to using conventional methods of fuel production and usage, which can have negative impacts on the environment and economy. It explores the successes and challenges of each phase of biofuel technology innovation, so that the previous trials and errors can help decision makers critically assess the potentials of utilizing biofuels in current technology as well as in future projects. This paper finds that currently it is possible to use the existing mangroves as a source of fungi for biofuel production, but more investment is needed to support industrial-level production. It concludes with policy recommendations for supporting future research, implementing long-term energy solutions that address the UAE’s environmental and economic concerns, and encouraging future leaders and innovators to think local in addressing global problems.","PeriodicalId":381111,"journal":{"name":"Al Qasimi Foundation","volume":"44 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2018-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"2","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Al Qasimi Foundation","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.18502/aqf.0091","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 2
Abstract
By analyzing the abundant microorganisms in the naturally occurring mangroves of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this policy paper discusses the feasibility of a future where the emirate invests in biofuels sourced from its mangroves as opposed to using conventional methods of fuel production and usage, which can have negative impacts on the environment and economy. It explores the successes and challenges of each phase of biofuel technology innovation, so that the previous trials and errors can help decision makers critically assess the potentials of utilizing biofuels in current technology as well as in future projects. This paper finds that currently it is possible to use the existing mangroves as a source of fungi for biofuel production, but more investment is needed to support industrial-level production. It concludes with policy recommendations for supporting future research, implementing long-term energy solutions that address the UAE’s environmental and economic concerns, and encouraging future leaders and innovators to think local in addressing global problems.
通过分析阿拉伯联合酋长国(UAE)哈伊马角(Ras Al Khaimah)天然红树林中丰富的微生物,本政策文件讨论了未来酋长国投资从红树林中提取生物燃料的可行性,而不是使用传统的燃料生产和使用方法,这可能对环境和经济产生负面影响。它探讨了生物燃料技术创新的每个阶段的成功和挑战,以便以前的试验和错误可以帮助决策者批判性地评估在当前技术以及未来项目中利用生物燃料的潜力。这篇论文发现,目前有可能利用现有的红树林作为生物燃料生产的真菌来源,但是需要更多的投资来支持工业水平的生产。报告最后提出了政策建议,以支持未来的研究,实施解决阿联酋环境和经济问题的长期能源解决方案,并鼓励未来的领导者和创新者在解决全球问题时考虑本地问题。