Enoc collects fuel vapors and incorporates other green elements into Dubai residential filling station.
Last September, Dubai ran short on gas, while other Gulf countries re-evaluated their long term energy plan as a result of looming peak oil. Now The National reports that Dubai has installed a “green” petrol station that not only captures and recycles harmful vapor emissions, but incorporates other “eco” features, including a friendlier car wash.
Increasing costs by 20%, the new Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) station located in The Meadows, a residential complex, is worth the small improvements it makes.
The technology provided by TST electronics captures fuel vapors, transfers them to an underground pressure system, and then converts the vapors back into liquefied fuel.
In two months, this saved 22,000 liters in addition to sparing the environmental hazard caused by the interaction of those vapors and the atmosphere.
Only three other stations in the Gulf region are currently using this technology, according to the paper, though it is mandatory in Europe.
Enoc’s CEO told The National that given their 6,000 employees and 30 subsidiaries, the company has a large environmental impact. The filling station represents a small gesture to mitigate that.
Other features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, solar-powered signs, on-site recycling bins, and a car wash that recycles its water.
Although Enoc’s filling station does not provide the final solution, their implied sense of responsibility is unprecedented in the Gulf region. If even they are willing to acknowledge the importance of sparing energ and water, and of reducing harmful emissions, then other individuals and organizations may be empowered to follow suit.
:: The National
More on gas and other eco-initiatives in Dubai:
Dubai Filling Stations Running Out of Gas
Peak Oil Looming, Gulf States Reconsider Energy
Waterless Car Washes in Dubai, with Ecowash ME
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
