BAKU: Azerbaijan, an oil-producing nation and host of the COP29 UN climate change conference, is emphasizing green innovation and development, highlighting its efforts at the global event in Baku.
"We are working with international companies and research institutions to ensure that COP29 features advanced technologies in renewable energy, water management, and carbon capture," stated Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 president.
Despite Azerbaijan's reliance on fossil fuels, it is collaborating with international organizations and educational institutions to make COP29 not just about policies and funding, but also a platform for environmental innovations.
"Our goal is to host a conference that promotes practical solutions, showcases Azerbaijan's leadership in the energy transition, and underscores our commitment to a sustainable and resilient future," Babayev added.
According to Elkhan Nuriyev, a global energy associate at the Brussels Energy Club and senior expert on Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia at L&M Political Risk and Strategy Advisory in Vienna, published on the Ceeenergy News website: "The government has pushed for stronger financial mechanisms for global green projects. A notable project is the 'Green Energy Hub,' a multifaceted initiative focused on renewable energy sources. This hub includes extensive solar farms, wind turbines, and hydropower facilities, serving as a significant export resource."
Furthermore, an agreement was signed four years ago between Azerbaijan's Ministry of Energy and Masdar, a UAE clean energy company, to establish the country's first solar energy facility — the 230-megawatt Garadagh Solar Power Plant.
Saudi Arabia is another example prioritizing sustainable development through its Vision 2030.
The project spans 550 hectares and incorporates 570,000 bifacial photovoltaic panels, which capture both direct sunlight and reflected sunlight from the ground.
Masdar is not the sole company involved in renewable energy technologies in Azerbaijan. Earlier this year, ACWA Power, a leader in the energy transition and a pioneer in green hydrogen, partnered with Azerbaijan's national oil company, SOCAR, to develop projects accelerating renewable energy in the country.
According to ACWA Power's website, the private company is "currently constructing Azerbaijan's and the region's largest 240 MW wind power plant in the Absheron-Khizi region at an investment cost of $345 million."
As governments increasingly prioritize sustainability, the integration of innovative technologies is becoming crucial for fostering both economic growth and environmental stewardship.
Saudi Arabia is also prioritizing sustainable development through its Vision 2030.
According to the Kingdom's national source for government services and information, which outlines the Sustainable Development Goals of Saudi Vision 2030, "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to address issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, prosperity, peace, justice, education, health, social protection, and employment opportunities, ensuring these are all included in its national strategy."
Additionally, many global technologies have been developed to combat climate change, including the 2017 launch of solar-powered trains.
According to Justyna Matuszak on the Know-How website, this green transportation can operate all day without recharging. The railway also releases 75 percent of its generated energy into the ground, as reported by the BBC.
Bladeless wind energy, designed in 2012 by the Spanish startup Vortex Bladeless, features an elastic rod securing the company's three-meter tall bladeless turbine vertically into the ground. The turbine sways with wind speed, generating energy from the resulting vibrations.
Due to its design, it is suitable for urban or residential areas, requiring less space than traditional wind turbines.
Another innovative technology is 3D-printed solar energy trees. Developed by researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the prototype tree collects solar energy, heat, and kinetic energy from its surroundings to generate electricity for small appliances.
By adopting modern sustainable innovations and fostering public-private partnerships, addressing climate change may become more feasible.
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