OREANDA-NEWS. December 26, 2013. Embracing energy efficiency is crucial to the future of the Kingdom, Saudi Aramco and the wider Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC), the first installment of a major new sustainability conference has been told.

Saudi Aramco was the Elite Platinum sponsor of the 1st Energy Management Conference and Exhibition held last week in Bahrain.

The company’s acting executive director of New Business Development and conference chairman, Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, described the two-day event as a unique opportunity, saying, “We must adopt a pragmatic approach that enhances the performance and efficiency of traditional energy sources while increasing the viability of alternatives. We must be willing to make the timely and extensive investments required. And we must commit ourselves to working collaboratively rather than at cross purposes.”

Al-Khowaiter noted that technology and promising alternative energy sources can make a difference as growth in worldwide energy demand continues to rise, adding that Saudi Aramco is actively investing in the development of energy efficiency.

“Since its early days, Saudi Aramco has been well aware of the importance of the efficient utilization of the resources it produces. Accordingly, Saudi Aramco has launched several initiatives to improve the utilization of energy through the use of cost-effective innovative solutions and efficient resource management practices.”

Cogeneration plants, Al-Khowaiter said, are now incorporated into the design of almost all Saudi Aramco plants. The technology has a thermal efficiency of more than 80 percent compared to conventional generation and its 40 to 50 percent of thermal efficiency.

He highlighted the company’s commitment to renewables such as the development of the largest carport solar photovoltaic system with a 10 megawatt capacity at its Al-Midra Building in Dhahran.

The Saudi Aramco Energy Venture subsidiary (SAEV) also has a mission to invest globally in startup and high-growth companies with technologies that are of strategic importance to the company.

The Energy Management Conference was officially opened by HE Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Finance, and Oil and Gas Affairs. Saudi Aramco professionals gave a number of presentations during the conference’s technical program.

Among the keynote speakers was Nabil Al-Nuaim, director of Kingdom Economic and Energy Analysis Department for Saudi Aramco. He spoke about the role of energy efficiency programs in sustainable development.

 “Resource rich nations such as GCC countries are developing and implementing energy efficiency programs to preserve their natural resources and secure the greatest benefits to their citizens throughout the resource life cycle,” he added. “Avoiding wasteful consumption leads to sustainable energy and a solid planning framework that integrates the decision and execution processes to manage trade-offs and maximize the value of energy use.”

Saudi Aramco also had a booth at the exhibition where the company’s “Lead by Example” energy efficiency program was showcased.

Several Saudi Aramco experts gave presentations over three different conference tracks. Dr. Nour Eldin Mahmoud Bahy gave a talk titled “The Future of the Industrial Energy Efficiency is Now with Eco Industrial Parks.” Bahy explained the savings that can be made through the integration of power at such parks.

Raed Al Shneiber discussed Saudi Aramco’s experience with energy intensity and its efforts to make savings, and engineer Fahad Otaibi gave details of an atmospheric distillation unit retrofit to save energy and energy-based GHG emissions.