YFEL Members Learn Secrets Of Sustainable Innovation From German Industry Leaders

A team of ten members of Khalifa University’s Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) outreach initiative had a first-hand experience of how Germany’s three major industry leaders are driving innovative solutions for sustainable global development.

The visit focused on applied sustainability solutions relevant to the UAE and the restorative and regenerative circular economy, which builds economic, natural, and social capital. The three German companies, industrial manufacturer Siemens, chemical industry leader BASF, and leading engineering technologies and industrial services provider Bilfinger, hosted the YFEL members as part of their commitment to investing in the UAE’s youth development and share knowledge with future generations.

At the Siemens headquarters in Münich,YFEL members engaged in discussions with sustainability experts. At its Corporate Technology labs, the group learnt more about the role of digitalization in shaping the future of energy, through innovations such as the Digital Twin and 3D-printing.

“Our energy systems are becoming increasingly complex, and we believe the UAE’s future scientists, engineers, innovators and big thinkers should have access to knowledge and technology, giving them the tools they need to build a sustainable energy future”, said Dietmar Siersdorfer, CEO, Siemens Middle East and UAE. “We must inspire young minds and encourage them to think about how innovation in technology can address the challenges our world faces.”

The YFEL members also visited the BASF Verbund site, the world’s largest integrated chemical complex, and learnt how innovations in chemical engineering are helping countries to become more sustainable and how these innovations can support the implementation of the circular economy model in the Middle East.

“No one has a greater stake in securing sustainable solutions that build our future societies than our youth”, said John Frijns, Vice President Middle East, BASF. “By showing how German companies are using sustainability as a driver for growth, we hope to inspire, empower and guide Emirati youth to be the catalyst for the UAEs future progress.”

During the Bilfinger visit the YFEL members focused on the advanced technologies deployed in tackling sustainability challenges. Hybrid thermal, solar power generation, the latest innovations in energy efficiency in the desalination and power generation, and the pivotal role of artificial intelligence-powered digitization in industrial sustainability were among topics addressed.

Ali Vezvaei, President and CEO, Bilfinger Middle East, said: “It was our pleasure welcoming some of the UAE’s brightest young minds to have a look behind-the-scenes of our century-long commitment to innovation and sustainability and to discuss how we can, together, enhance energy efficiency and address operational sustainability in the region.”

Jawaher Salim Haif, YFEL member and Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering student from the University of Sharjah, said: “The Germany visit made me think about how I, as an engineer and as an individual, can contribute to helping the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. I am grateful to the YFEL program for giving me the opportunity to see first-hand how these leading companies are applying what I have learned during my studies and to discuss how some of their ideas could be applied in the UAE.”

YFEL member Zaid Alobaidli, who completed engineering degrees from the American University of Sharjah and UAE University and is currently working for Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy, said: “I was quite familiar with the three companies and what they do ahead of the trip, but visiting their headquarters helped me to gain an idea about the bigger picture. It was a great opportunity to discuss different objectives, background and perspectives with regards to some of the challenges the world is facing and to think about how we can apply the lessons learned from best-practice energy efficiency programs in other regions in the UAE”.