IDA Desalination Academy Focuses on Sustainability at International Water Summit

The International Desalination Association (IDA) announces that the International Water Summit (IWS) will host an IDA Desalination Academy course on "Integration of Hybrid Technologies with Renewable Energy to Improve the Sustainability of Water Desalination" and "Sustainable Operation with Advanced Membrane Filtration".

Held on January 21-22, 2014 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the course provides an exceptional opportunity for managers, engineers and students in the desalination industry to expand their knowledge of hybrid technologies and plant operations, with a focus on renewable energy and sustainable operation of desalination plants using advanced membrane filtration. The sessions also provide a forum for networking with users and suppliers of desalination technology and for exchanging views on the future directions and opportunities in desalination in the Gulf Region.  

The course will be presented by the following members of the IDA Desalination Academy faculty:

   Mr. Leon Awerbuch, Chief Technology Officer of Leading Edge Technologies Ltd and Interim Dean of the IDA Desalination Academy will present the general concept of hybrids, hybrid systems to stabilise water networks, and hybrid and aquifer storage. Discussion will include benefits of hybrid systems in terms of CAPEX, OPEX and energy consumption.

   Dr. Corrado Sommariva, Past President of IDA and Managing Director of ILF Consulting Engineers Middle East and the head of the company’s worldwide desalination practice will cover new solutions, clean technologies with renewable energy, and energy efficiency activities associated with desalination plants with an exploration of low energy desalination processes including membrane distillation, forward osmosis, MED associated with solar distillation, and low temperature desalination.

   Dr. Graeme K. Pearce, Principal of Membrane Consultancy Associates, will conduct a session on "Sustainable Operation with Advanced Membrane Filtration (MF/UF)", from fundamentals and process and system design to applications and performance along with an overview of market leaders, commercial products and recent developments.

The IDA Desalination Academy is a global institute for specialized training in desalination and a higher school for special study in this field. Its mission is to provide the highest level of training, education and instruction to individuals, utilities, companies, institutions, universities and other organisations interested in desalination in all its aspects.