| Environmental tech with Jewish spirit in Asia |
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The global race is on to further develop clean-tech industries. Pollution has taken its toll and no country is immune from its effects. Each country brings its own specific set of challenges to the Green Revolution but on this one front, our goals are united. Israel, historically a leader in innovation and technology, has risen to the clean-tech challenge in recent years.
The challenges that Israel has overcome in terms of natural resource scarcity has made Israel a natural partner for other nations as they face critical environmental challenges. The list of Israeli/Jewish companies excelling in green tech is long. Even a search among those companies putting their technology to use across Asia yields a more than impressive number in the areas of renewable energy, electric cars, natural gas, water technology, desalination and waste-management. This round-up of clean-tech is merely a small sampling of recent regional highlights. The current environmental crisis is a truly global problem requiring international cooperation and innovative solutions.
Project Better Place - Electric Car: Project Better Place, an electric car infrastructure venture, was launched in October 2007, by CEO and founder Shai Agassi, with a goal of building its first pilot Electric Recharge Grid in Israel and then with plans to deploy the infrastructure on a country-by-country basis beginning in 2010. Both China and Japan have been reported as potential markets for this country by country expansion plan. Project Better Place signed with The Renault-Nissan Alliance to begin mass production of the electric car in 2008. The Renault-Nissan Alliance, merged in 1999, is the fourth largest automotive group in the world by sales volume. Japan's Nissan has been imported to Israel since 1948. The joint venture has a goal to have the vehicles available in the world market by 2011, but where other attempts have failed in their efforts to develop a workable car design, Project Better Place instead places the focus on developing the infrastructure to support existing technology first. Project Better Place has picked two Israeli companies to develop and install car recharging stations in Israel: Aran Research and Development Ltd and Nekuda DM Ltd. The vehicles will run on pure electricity for all functions and achieve a zero emissions standard. The business model for the infrastructure will be similar to the financing for mobile phone contracts allowing consumers to own their own vehicles and ultimately allowing for greater choice over the individual vehicle model. Other test markets will follow, after Israel, but Israel's size and the current 150 kilometre limit of the electric cars make Israel an ideal starting point, but as Agassi has indicated it is a matter of developing the infrastructure rather than focusing on the limitations of the cars design. A number of Asian countries and regions would be well suited and benefit from this venture. There are plans to have the electric car in Japanese markets by 2010.
Tahal- Environmental Engineering & Water Management:
TAHAL, founded in Israel in the 1950s, has a considerable focus on the needs of developing countries. They have engaged in numerous studies concerning environmental protection and apply these principles to their engineering approach. They have expertise in making assessments regarding the environmental impact of particular projects. In the drafting of projects, Tahal's experts place a priority on the prevention of water resource pollution, solid waste disposal, treatment and reuse of pollutants and the management of wastewater systems. They specialise in a variety of water resources development and supply projects and rely on their experience with the combined use of surface and groundwater, storm-water interception and use of marginal waters. To serve its Asia based customers, Tahal has an office in New Dehli. They have experience working in Nepal and extensive experience in India. In Nepal, their clients include the Nepalese Department of Hydrology and Department of Irrigation of His Majesty's Government in Nepal. In India, their list of clients include: the Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, UP Land Development Corporation and Gujaret Agro Industries Corporation.
IDE- Desalination of Water:
IDE Technologies LTD., founded in 1965, is headquartered in Kadima, Israel. IDE specialises in the research and development of water desalination processes with a focus also on purifi cation of industrial streams and wastewater treatment. They develop, design, manufacture and install their products worldwide with a wellestablished presence in Asian markets. IDE recently contracted to build China's largest desalination plant for Tianjin SDIC, an energy firm operating under China's government energy authority. This seawater desalination facility is expected to be in operation by the end of 2008. Its capabilities will include the supply of 100,000 cubic metres of fresh water daily for use by local residents. The by-product will be processed into table salt. IDE has also recently again demonstrated its role as an industry leader in Asia with the award of two new projects in India to supply a total of 3 desalination units for existing customers. In Gujarat, India, they will provide a second MVC (mechanical vapor compression) unit with a production of 3,000 cubic meters daily for use in steam generators. IDE's original desalination unit for this cement plant has been in use since 2002. This 3,000 cubic meter output is the largest in the world. Also in India IDE has recently contracted to supply two MED (Multi Effect Desalination) units to a new gas production facility near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India. The same company has 4 of IDE's MED units already in operation in Jamnagar, Gujaret.
Energtek- Natural Gas:
Energtek, Inc. is a world leader in the development andcommercialisation of Absorbed Natural Gas (ANG) technology as a practical alternative to oil-derived fuel. Their innovative technology allows for the delivery of natural gas to the consumer even in the absence of a gas pipeline and related infrastructure. They provide natural gas to both industrial and personal consumers and stress that this green technology is cheaper, cleaner, safe and more evenly distributed throughout the world than oil. Energtek promises that natural gas is a viable solution to the current fuel crisis particularly for vehicle consumption. They have a strong presence worldwide and have had a number of signifi cant successes in the South East Asian markets where they have focused on natural gas for the large 2-3 wheelvehicle users. They have had particular success in the Philippines, India and Indonesia but have also recently established their presence in Singapore and Malaysia as well. In June 2008, Energtek announced that they will begin building their first filling station in India to transport natural gas for a natural gas distribution company in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh, as India's most populous state, is experiencing a particularly challenging struggle to meet their growing fuel needs. Energtek will transport natural gas from India's national transmission grid to the local city distribution network for industrial use and for Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) fueling stations. Also in June, Energtek announced that they have contracted with DML PTE, in Singapore, to commercialise natural gas technology in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. DML PTE Ltd. is a shipbuilding and engineering company that is looking to expand its operations into the transport of natural gas. This joint venture will include the provision of natural gas for vehicle use as well as the construction of natural gas filling stations.
CLP- focusing on renewable energy: CLP was founded in 1901 by the Kadoorie family. Now, over one century later it is one of the leading power companies in the world, serving communities in Hong Kong, Mainland China and throughout the Asia Pacific region. The Honourable Sir Michael Kadoorie, was appointed to the Board of China Light & Power Co., Ltd. in January 1967 and was appointed Chairman to the CLP Holdings Board in October 1997. CLP recognised the growing environmental crisis as developing countries in the region began industrialising at a record pace and populations exploded. In 2004, CLP seriously invested in the future by setting a voluntary target to have 5% of its total generating capacity come from renewable energy sources by 2010. Their target was met in 2007. CLP launched a 'Green Living Website' in order to make the concept of energy efficiency accessible to a broader range of consumers. The website includes a carbon calculator and an educational format designed to further consumers' understanding of the collective toll even personal consumption of energy resources has. CLP gives tips on reducing energy consumption. In Climate Vision 2050, launched in 2007, CLP details a desire to raise awareness and help solve the issue of climate change. Other campaigns included the initiation of a large tree planting programme. In partnership with the Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province, CLP Holdings Limited pledged to plant 350,000 trees in Guangdong Province to help prevent further environmental degradation. In June 2005, CLP set up CLP Renewables to oversee the development of their renewable energy portfolio that includes small hydro, wind and biomass sources. They have established renewable energy projects in Australia, China and India.
EER- Industrial Waste Management
Environmental Energy Resources (EER), is an Israeli based company that specialises in the disposal of industrial waste utilising an advanced and environmentally sound method. The technological innovation allows water to undergo plasma based thermal treatment and is effective for municipal solid waste, medical waste and low and intermediate levels of radioactive waste. The problem of hazardous industrial waste is growing on a global scale and the effects of disposal in landfi lls and dumping has taken a costly toll on our environment and heath. EER is able to take the waste and break it down into safe and environmentally sound by-products including clean energy. Their Asia presence includes EER Japan, a subsidiary, which treats Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Industrial Waste (IW), Medical Waste (MW), Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste (LILRW) each using the PGM (Plasma Gasifi cation Melting) System for both Japan and elsewhere in Asian. They also have established a subsidiary in Korea and recent substantial contracts are reported in China.
(Issue July/August 2008)
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