The arteries of Middle East and North African economies pulse with oil and gas. But to survive and evolve beyond the triple crises of coronavirus, oil market volatility and climate change, the region needs a new anatomy. Three new commodities can do that – electricity, hydrogen and carbon – but not simply by cloning the traditional hydrocarbon system.
The challenges of Mena countries are well-known. For some, great resources of oil and gas have driven economic growth for decades, but for other countries, they have not.
Even the well-run states face wild oscillations in revenues, upsetting budgeting and long-term planning. The Covid-19 crisis has led oil prices to plunge, while hammering sectors relied on for diversification, such as tourism.
Energy-intensive industries such as petrochemicals, fertilisers, aluminium and steel have been success stories in several regional countries, but the price of their products is also correlated to oil. They are heavy emitters of greenhouse gases, and neither they nor the oil industry employ many people. The region has struggled to build sophisticated manufacturing or technology businesses.
In the longer-term, the rise of non-hydrocarbon technologies, such as electric vehicles and renewables, threaten to erode the demand and price for oil and gas. This is further encouraged by global climate change policy, with Europe in particular, likely to spend heavily post-virus on a green stimulus.
However, the Mena region has important advantages for a sustainable economic future: abundant unused land, intense sunlight, still large remaining resources of low-cost hydrocarbons, big underground geological reservoirs, and a central geography.
This is where the three key products of electricity, hydrogen and carbon come in. A key part of tackling climate change is widespread electrification – of homes, industrial processes, and transport through battery vehicles. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia continue to set world record low solar prices.
Versatile, clean hydrogen can fuel long-distance transport such as ships and perhaps planes; it can substitute natural gas and coal in home heating and industry; and can be used to store surplus electricity for re-use.
It can be made from natural gas, with the resulting carbon dioxide captured to avoid contributing to climate change, yielding so-called “blue hydrogen”. Or, it can be made by splitting water with electrolysis using zero-carbon electricity, namely “green hydrogen”. The end product is identical; the names just identify the method of production.
Finally, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the undesirable end-product of burning coal, oil and gas, and the main contributor in the atmosphere to global warming. However, with carbon capture and storage, CO2 can be locked away safely for millions of years underground in the same geological reservoirs that hold the Mena region’s hydrocarbons. It can be used for enhanced oil recovery, as Adnoc does with CO2 from the Emirates Steel plant in its Bab and Rumaitha fields.
An increasing number of technology firms are looking at making polymers, cement, ceramics, synthetic fuels, food and other materials from captured CO2, though this faces cost and thermodynamic hurdles. CO2 can also be taken directly from ambient air, as US oil firm Occidental is working on for enhanced oil recovery.
A Mena economy based on electrons, hydrogen and carbon will not resemble the old model, where oil and gas are extracted cheaply and exported worldwide at much higher prices.
However, a Mena economy based on electrons, hydrogen and carbon will not resemble the old model, where oil and gas are extracted cheaply and exported worldwide at much higher prices.
Mena region solar power is very low-cost, but Europe and South Asia have their own renewable resources, and transmitting electricity over long distances is expensive and often politically fraught. Spain’s and Morocco’s grids are interconnected, while undersea connections are planned to link Tunisia to Italy, and Egypt to Cyprus and on to Greece. Gulf countries could look east, to Pakistan and India as markets. This helps in balancing variable renewable power, but its profits will not underpin an economy.
Because of its low density, hydrogen is also expensive to transport. Germany and Japan both have hydrogen strategies based on a mix of imported and home-generated supply. But whether blue or green, Mena region hydrogen production needs major investment and technological advances, as well as a complex commercial set-up, to arrive in markets at a competitive price.
So, new Mena energy economies needs three features. The first is greater intra-regional electricity trade and connectivity, to maximise the cost advantage and reliability of its renewable energy. The second is selective progress on exporting power and hydrogen, and perhaps importing excess CO2 for disposal or offering carbon-neutral offsets to other countries.
The third should be the production of decarbonised materials. Instead of the tough task of bringing electrons or hydrogen over thousands of kilometres to Europe or Japan, such areas can meet their carbon-neutral ambitions by importing materials. Most obviously, this includes steel, aluminium, cement, plastics, fertilisers and zero-carbon fuels.
There are other, more sophisticated options. For instance, Saudi Aramco has been introducing non-metallic materials that can replace steel in piping. Graphene, made of carbon, is the world’s strongest, thinnest and most conductive material, used in electronics, cars, aerospace and many other applications.
Interestingly, the Financial Times recently reported on two start-ups, Finland's Solar Foods and California's Air Protein, which use atmospheric carbon dioxide and hydrogen from renewable energy to generate protein that could replace soy and chicken. Deep Branch Biotech, from the UK's University of Nottingham, hopes to make synthetic feed for fish-farming.
These are the kind of industries that build on the region’s existing competitive advantages to deliver the magic combination of employment, diversification, technological sophistication, food security, non-oil exports and sustainability. Now is the time for some bold and imaginative invention and investment.
Robin M. Mills is CEO of Qamar Energy, and author of The Myth of the Oil Crisis
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
LAST 16
SEEDS
Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Valencia, Juventus
PLUS
Real Madrid, Tottenham, Atalanta, Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Lyon, Chelsea
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Liverpool v Manchester United - 3.30pm
Burnley v West Ham United - 6pm
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - 6pm
Manchester City v Stoke City - 6pm
Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - 6pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth - 6pm
Watford v Arsenal - 8.30pm
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton - 4.30pm
Southampton v Newcastle United - 7pm
Monday
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion - 11pm
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid
Price, base: Dh117,000 (estimate)
Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder, with 1.56kWh battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 105hp (engine), plus 43.5hp (battery)
Torque: 147Nm (engine), plus 170Nm (battery)
Fuel economy, combined: 3.4L / 100km
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come
Roll of Honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?
Western Clubs Champions League
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Dubai Exiles
Fixtures
Friday
West Asia Cup final
5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy final
3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles
Friday, April 13
UAE Premiership final
5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE CARD
The line-up as it stands for the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on April 27
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns
Casket match
The Undertaker v Rusev
Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Bludgeon Brothers v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship
Sheamus and Cesaro v Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy
United States Championship
Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
Singles match
Triple H v John Cena
To be confirmed
AJ Styles will defend his WWE World Heavyweight title and Cedric Alexander his Cruiserweight Championship, but matches have yet to be announced
Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Match on Bein Sports
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
MATCH INFO
What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
The specs: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Price, base / as tested: Dh259,000
Engine: 6.4-litre V8
Power: 475hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 640Nm @ 4,300rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
Results
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Reem Baynounah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Afham, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle
7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Haqeeqy, Dane O’Neill, John Hyde.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
Top Hundred overseas picks
London Spirit: Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith
Welsh Fire: Adam Zampa, David Miller, Naseem Shah
Manchester Originals: Andre Russell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sean Abbott
Northern Superchargers: Dwayne Bravo, Wahab Riaz
Oval Invincibles: Sunil Narine, Rilee Rossouw
Trent Rockets: Colin Munro
Birmingham Phoenix: Matthew Wade, Kane Richardson
Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
Crime%20Wave
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New Zealand T20 squad
New Zealand T20 squad: Tim Southee (captain), Finn Allen, Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Will Young
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
West Indies v India - Third ODI
India 251-4 (50 overs)
Dhoni (78*), Rahane (72), Jadhav (40)
Cummins (2-56), Bishoo (1-38)
West Indies 158 (38.1 overs)
Mohammed (40), Powell (30), Hope (24)
Ashwin (3-28), Yadav (3-41), Pandya (2-32)
India won by 93 runs
MATCH INFO
Schalke 0
Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 32')
Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)
