At its E2GO EV charging station in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Revterra have begun a first-of-its-kind trial to test a cutting-edge kinetic battery technology.
According to a study by Anurga Chauhan via ScienceDirect, kinetic batteries store energy mechanically as opposed to conventional lithium-ion batteries, potentially providing a longer lifespan and less dependence on chemical interactions.
This partnership is a significant step in ADNOC’s plan to develop climate technologies, decarbonise the transportation industry, and create a sustainable energy future for the United Arab Emirates.
Revterra’s kinetic battery, in contrast to traditional lithium-ion batteries, provides high-speed EV charging with less environmental impact by utilising recyclable steel and rotational energy storage.
This innovative strategy not only lessens dependency on dangerous or limited resources, but it also makes it possible to incorporate steel from the United Arab Emirates that is entirely domestically produced, creating new opportunities for domestic industry and employment growth.
“The trial underscores our commitment to innovation – to decarbonise, diversify our energy sources and achieve net zero by 2045,” ADNOC posted to LinkedIn.
The pilot is a component of ADNOC’s larger goal to scale climate innovations that have real-world applications. After winning the ADNOC Decarbonisation Technology Challenge, a global competition that drew 650 firms from 50 nations, Revterra was given a US$1 million pilot trial.
Through the E2GO joint venture, ADNOC Distribution and the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) are moving forward with plans to construct and run EV charging infrastructure.
The UAE’s electric vehicle industry is predicted to expand at a compound annual rate of 30% between 2022 and 2028, and this effort intends to meet the country’s skyrocketing demand for EVs.
By 2030, E2GO hopes to be in a position to meet Abu Dhabi’s projected demand for 70,000 EV charging stations.
The joint venture would install a network of fast chargers and associated digital services, such as parking, tolling, and customer engagement platforms, with a planned capital expenditure of up to US$200 million.
“ADNOC Distribution and TAQA are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of EV customers through the creation of the E2GO venture,” states His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chairman of ADNOC Distribution, in light of the growing adoption of electric vehicles in the United Arab Emirates.
“ADNOC Distribution will continue to be a dependable supplier of our customers’ energy needs while taking advantage of energy transition opportunities that make financial sense.”
Abu Dhabi’s recently introduced regulatory framework for EV charging infrastructure, created by the Department of Energy (DoE), supports the implementation of E2GO.
This strategy serves as the foundation for the UAE’s net zero by 2050 agenda and promotes the circular carbon economy.
His Excellency Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, stated, “We warmly welcome the ADNOC Distribution-TAQA partnership, a significant initiative aimed at supporting EV charging infrastructure development in the emirate.”
“As the vital pathway to propel the energy transition, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy is dedicated to realising the UAE’s leadership vision and taking decisive action to promote all necessary policies, including sustainable transport.”
Additionally, the joint venture supports the Department of Municipalities and Transport’s (DMT) objectives.
According to His Excellency Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, “This new partnership aligns with one of DMT’s most important priorities, which is to support the sustainable mobility goals that the Abu Dhabi government seeks to achieve.”
In keeping with the UAE’s strategic plan to work towards climate neutrality by 2050, “We aim to provide a sustainable infrastructure that reflects the department’s commitment to implementing our policy to reduce carbon emissions.”
With a mission to meet over 90% of Abu Dhabi’s water and power needs, TAQA, one of the biggest integrated utilities in the EMEA area, lends considerable weight to the project.
According to the corporation, one of the most important levers for national decarbonisation is the electrification of transportation.
His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Chairman of TAQA, stated that “decarbonising transport is a crucial component of the UAE’s efforts to reach its net zero goals.”
“The E2GO joint venture’s facilitation of the development of EV infrastructure will help close the gap in providing clean energy to the general public.”
Clean energy is something that TAQA and ADNOC Distribution have long been dedicated to.
In addition to running a CNG-only station in Abu Dhabi, ADNOC currently supplies compressed natural gas (CNG) at 31 stations throughout the United Arab Emirates.
In the meantime, TAQA keeps growing its low-carbon footprint by implementing strategic water and energy projects in 11 different nations.