Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation
Director: Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed
The Academic Program
Zero Energy Dorms: The Arava Institute is planning on building a new set of dorms that will house students in the Energy and Environment Masters Degree Program. The dorms will use the most climate appropriate technology available for the dry desert climate of the Arava Valley minimizing the need electricity and turning the buildings from energy consumers to energy producers.
Bryan Medwed Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Park
The first of its kind in Israel, the Bryan Medwed Park, inaugurated in February 2008, consists of an educational site open to the public to exhibit the latest technology in renewable energy and experimental and demonstration sites that will provide researchers and developers the opportunity to install and test prototype technology.
Under the auspices of the Research Department, the Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC) has been inaugurated through a partnership with Ben-Gurion University's National Solar Energy Center and the Weizmann Institute and will be the leading center of research, development, and technology on renewable energy and energy conservation in the region. As the newest addition to the Arava Institute’s Research Department, CREEC reflects the unique suitability and necessity of the Southern Arava to pioneer new research and efforts in sustainable energy sources and the conservation of energy.
The Research Program
CREEC will carry out research on a wide variety of subjects focusing on energy policy, conservation, reduction and methods of producing energy through new renewable sources. Research will take place in the Arava, utilizing the unique climatic conditions and supporting regional initiatives, pilots and commercial operations of renewable energy technology in coordination with the Hevel Eilot Renewable Energy Authority. CREEC will launch small-scale renewable energy generation projects and pilot programs. Equipped with the latest renewable energy and energy conservation technology, homes will be modeled to become energy producers instead of consumers. A sustainable energy policy research program will be created to promote a renewable energy strategy for Israel and the Middle East as a high priority for the region. The center will engage in joint research with the Dead Sea and Arava Science Center.
The Academic Program
The Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation’s academic program will offer courses and programs for Masters and PhD students on technological and climactic issues, with an emphasis on environmental policy aspects of sustainable energy. The academic studies at the Arava Institute are recognized by Ben-Gurion University and allow students and researchers to combine studies at the Arava Institute with studies at Ben-Gurion’s Sde Boqer campus. The academic program uses English as its formal language of instruction enabling students from Israel, Palestine, Jordan and all over the world to participate.
Projects
Projects
- Solar Driven Boron-Boron Oxide Cycle for On-Board Hydrogen Production
- Gasification of Date Trees Waste for Power Production
- Developing Integrated Waste Recycling Systems for Agricultural and Environmental Safety Purposes in Rural Communities in Jordan and Israel
- Energy Consumption in Hevel Eilot Date Farms
- Bedouin Biogas Project
Zero Energy Dorms: The Arava Institute is planning on building a new set of dorms that will house students in the Energy and Environment Masters Degree Program. The dorms will use the most climate appropriate technology available for the dry desert climate of the Arava Valley minimizing the need electricity and turning the buildings from energy consumers to energy producers.
The first of its kind in Israel, the Bryan Medwed Park, inaugurated in February 2008, consists of an educational site open to the public to exhibit the latest technology in renewable energy and experimental and demonstration sites that will provide researchers and developers the opportunity to install and test prototype technology.
About Bryan Medwed
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In 1993 he initiated the ‘Sunergy Project,' which aimed to construct a 200 kW photovoltaic plant that would meet Kibbutz Samar's electricity needs and supply additional power to the regional grid.
After taking out a patent application on a new type of solar collector, Bryan started a kibbutz enterprise to design and build solar power systems. In addition he worked as a technician and researcher at the National Solar Energy Center as Sde Boker.
Bryan Medwed was a tireless advocate for the promotion of renewable energy in the Arava region. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he and his wife became resident members of Kibbutz Samar from 1987.
In 1993 he initiated the ‘Sunergy Project,' which aimed to construct a 200 kW photovoltaic plant that would meet Kibbutz Samar's electricity needs and supply additional power to the regional grid.
After taking out a patent application on a new type of solar collector, Bryan started a kibbutz enterprise to design and build solar power systems. In addition he worked as a technician and researcher at the National Solar Energy Center as Sde Boker.
An advocate in the Solar Bridges for Peace program from 1999, which sought to develop sustainable communities in the Middle East, Bryan also carried out research into growing elephant grass for biomass energy production. He designed and installed a photovoltaic wind-powered refrigerator in order to store insulin for a Bedouin child stricken with diabetes, and developed a solar system to run a medical clinic in the village of Wadi Na'am.
In 2002, Bryan was killed in an automobile accident while on his way to deliver wind turbines to a Bedouin village in the Negev.
In recognition of Bryan Medwed's pioneering role in Renewable Energy research in this region, the Arava Institute has named the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Park in front of the Institute offices in his memory.
Publications by Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed
Professional Articles
The Use of Boron for Thermochemical Storage and Distribution of Solar Energy
Solar Energy, 81(1), pp. 93-101.
Abu Hamed T., Karni J., Epstein M. (2007)
The biodegradation of benzene, toluene and phenol in a two-phase system
Biochemical Engineering Journal 19(2), pp. 137-146.
Abu Hamed T., Bayraktar E., Mehmetoglu U., and Mehmetoglu T. (2004)
Kinetics model for growth of Pseudomonas putida F1 during benzene, toluene and phenol biodegradation
Process Biochemistry, 39(8), pp. 983-988
Abu Hamed T., Bayraktar E., Mehmetoglu U., and Mehmetoglu T. (2004)
Biodegradation of BTEX compounds by a mixed culture obtained from petroleum formation water
Energy Sources. 25(7), pp. 733-742.
Babaarslan Ç., Abu Hamed T., Bayraktar E., Mehmeto ğlu Ü., and Mehmeto ğlu T. (2003)
Substrate interactions during the biodegradation of benzene, toluene and phenol mixtures
Process Biochemistry, 39(1), 27-35.
Abu Hamed, Tarik; Bayraktar, Emine; Mehmetoglu, Tanju; Mehmetoglu, Ulku. (2003)
The growth of petroleum formation water microorganisms in BTEX medium
Journal of Biotechnology. Vol.: 2, 15-22.
Babaarslan Ç., Tekeli A., Abu Hamed T., Bayraktar E., Mehmeto ğlu T., Atao ğlu F., Mehmeto ğlu Ü. (2001)
Hydrolysis of Evaporated Zn In A Hot Wall Flow Reactor
Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Accepted.
Abu Hamed T., Davidson J.H., Stolzenburg M. (2007)
Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Accepted.
Abu Hamed T., Davidson J.H., Stolzenburg M. (2007)
Boron Hydrolysis at Moderate Temperatures – First Step to Solar Fuel Cycle for Transportation
Journal of solar energy Engineering, 130(1), pp. 14506-14511.
Irina Vishnevetsky, Michael Epstein, Tareq Abu-Hamed, Jacob Karni,
Journal of solar energy Engineering, 130(1), pp. 14506-14511.
Irina Vishnevetsky, Michael Epstein, Tareq Abu-Hamed, Jacob Karni,
The Use of Boron for Thermochemical Storage and Distribution of Solar Energy
Solar Energy, 81(1), pp. 93-101.
Abu Hamed T., Karni J., Epstein M. (2007)
The biodegradation of benzene, toluene and phenol in a two-phase system
Biochemical Engineering Journal 19(2), pp. 137-146.
Abu Hamed T., Bayraktar E., Mehmetoglu U., and Mehmetoglu T. (2004)
Kinetics model for growth of Pseudomonas putida F1 during benzene, toluene and phenol biodegradation
Process Biochemistry, 39(8), pp. 983-988
Abu Hamed T., Bayraktar E., Mehmetoglu U., and Mehmetoglu T. (2004)
Biodegradation of BTEX compounds by a mixed culture obtained from petroleum formation water
Energy Sources. 25(7), pp. 733-742.
Babaarslan Ç., Abu Hamed T., Bayraktar E., Mehmeto ğlu Ü., and Mehmeto ğlu T. (2003)
Substrate interactions during the biodegradation of benzene, toluene and phenol mixtures
Process Biochemistry, 39(1), 27-35.
Abu Hamed, Tarik; Bayraktar, Emine; Mehmetoglu, Tanju; Mehmetoglu, Ulku. (2003)
The growth of petroleum formation water microorganisms in BTEX medium
Journal of Biotechnology. Vol.: 2, 15-22.
Babaarslan Ç., Tekeli A., Abu Hamed T., Bayraktar E., Mehmeto ğlu T., Atao ğlu F., Mehmeto ğlu Ü. (2001)
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