| The Optimizer: Energy Conservation |
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17/07/2008 00:30 (492 Day 04:18 minutes ago) | |||||
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The FINANCIAL -- AL-KHOBAR, With its huge hydrocarbon reserves of gas and oil, Saudi Arabia is among the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources, yet for the Kingdom and Saudi Aramco, energy conservation is an important concern.
More than 150 employees and contractors joined with academicians and government officials to discuss energy conservation issues and brainstorm innovative solutions to the challenges we all face in reducing energy consumptions.
In his welcoming address, Saudi Aramco chief engineer Omar S. Bazuhair spoke of the effectiveness of the energy conservation programs in Saudi Aramco.
“In Saudi Aramco, our energy conservation program is designed to achieve well-defined outcomes that support the strategic objectives of optimizing operational excellence and continue to be an environmentally responsible and innovative organization. We have been able to enhance our energy efficiency every year for the past seven years,” Bazuhair said.
“This has resulted in the significant reduction of carbon dioxide emissions,” he added. “In addition, two patents to increase heat recovery from processing facilities have been filed.”
While commending forum participants for their significant achievements, Bazuhair challenged them to find more ways to save energy. “The wealth of talent we have in this room will help find ways and means to reduce energy consumption.”
Dr. Ahmed S. Khalifa, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Water and Electricity Ministry highlighted in his presentation the challenges facing the electricity sector in the Kingdom and the national plans to deal with the growing demand for electricity.
The technical program of the forum included 18 technical papers from Saudi Aramco and from out of Kingdom (USA and Japan).
The presentations covered different subjects related to energy conservation, such as energy optimization techniques, performance measurement and auditing, energy conservation technologies, implementation of energy projects, environmental dimensions of energy conservation, efficiency improvements through cogeneration, energy conservation in buildings and alternative energy.
Energy conservation is not simply a company concern, so Aramco Services Co. engineering consultant Thomas H. Phillips traveled from Houston to discuss energy efficiency in Saudi Arabian homes.
Saudi Aramco is in the hydrocarbon business, but Mohammad W. Yamak of the ‘Uthmaniyah Gas Plant Department told forum participants about possibilities for alternative sources of energy, such as wind power and solar power, and the company’s research into those areas.
In his closing remarks, Tareq A. Nuaim, secretary of the Energy Management Steering Committee, encouraged the participants to promote energy conservation efforts throughout their respected organizations.
He extended thanks to the forum organizers, the presenters, and to the local companies and vendors for their participation and their efforts in making this forum a success.
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