Masdar times issue 11 2.39 MB
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Masdar times issue 11 2.39 MB
TheMasdarTimes TheMasdarTimes Q4 2013 - Issue 11 Inside this issue: Powering progress.......................................... 4 Man of action.................................................... 5 Milestone moments......................................... 6 Become an energy star with Etisalat............... 7 From polluter to protector.............................10 CCUS commercial-scale project first for Middle East Record ADNOC and Masdar joint venture ploughs US$122 million into state-of-the-art sequestration project as the emirate demonstrates commitment to decarbonising its economy. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Masdar have signed a joint venture agreement focused on exploring and developing commercial-scale projects for carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS). This follows the recent joint awarding of a US$122 million contract to the Dodsal Group to build a CO2 compression facility and a 50-kilometre pipeline as the initial step in bringing the region’s first commercial-scale, CCUS facility to life. Up to 800,000 tonnes of CO2 will be sequestered annually with completion set for the first quarter of 2016 under the Abu Dhabilocated joint venture, which is 51 per cent owned by ADNOC and 49 per cent by Masdar. Three core components will drive the operation. The CO2 will be captured onsite at the UAE’s largest steelmaker, Emirates Steel, before it is compressed and transported along the 50-kilometre long pipeline to ADNOC-operated oil fields. The CO2 will then be injected into the oil fields to enhance oil recovery, making hydrocarbon gas available while storing the injected CO2 underground. generation. In 2009, ADNOC became the first national oil company in the region to pilot CO2 injection in collaboration with Masdar. “This joint venture is a major step forward in demonstrating the commercial viability of CCUS technology,” said His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, adding: “What makes [it] truly unique is capturing anthropogenic CO2 – which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere –and injecting it into wells where it will be sequestered. We hope this first project will serve as a proof of concept and encourage other hydrocarbon-rich nations to adopt similar technologies to reduce their carbon emissions.” “The UAE is a responsible hydrocarbon producer,” said His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADNOC. “We believe CCUS has tremendous potential to both reduce our carbon footprint and enhance our oil and gas production. We are committed to finding and adopting real-world solutions that have economic and environmental returns.” The UAE has traditionally used hydrocarbon gases in some of the Abu Dhabi fields to enhance oil production. However, with the nation’s rise in energy demand, this CCUS project will allow the UAE to preserve its hydrocarbon gases for domestic power The joint venture is the first phase of an industrial-scale CCUS network planned as part of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to decarbonise its economy and create a lowcarbon power generation industry. It will also collaborate with ADNOC’s Petroleum Institute and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in developing leading-edge technologies to optimise CO2 management in Abu Dhabi. “This joint venture is a major step forward in demonstrating the commercial viability of CCUS technology” H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber CEO of Masdar Ambassador Highlights Colombia’s Large Untapped Hydro and Wind Power Potential at Masdar Institute Seminar Colombia’s Total Hydropower Potential Estimated at 93GW, Enough to Meet National Demand Seven Times Over Colombia has large untapped hydro and wind power potential that can not only meet its entire energy requirements but also supply sustainable energy to many of its neighbors in South and Central America, according to His Excellency Roberto Vélez, Ambassador of Colombia to the UAE. His Excellency Roberto Vélez’s remarks came during a lecture titled ‘Colombia – a growing country and committed to sustainability’ that was held at Masdar Institute campus. The event was part of the Masdar Institute Lecture Series that specifically focuses on widening the knowledge horizons of the students who are set to become future leaders in clean energy and advanced technologies. Several students, faculty and staff as well as other senior officials attended the lecture. Later, the Colombian envoy was presented with a Masdar Institute memento. According to a World Bank study, 70% of Colombia’s power generation is achieved through hydropower. Even though hydropower is the most popular power source in the country, it remains largely untapped. The total hydropower potential within Colombia is estimated at 93GW, enough to generate sufficient power to meet the national demand seven times over. The current hydropower usage totals only 9GW. Colombia’s other power sources include natural gas which provides 26%, coal at 3%, and other/wind power at 1%. His Excellency Roberto Vélez commended Masdar Institute for its cutting-edge research in sustainable clean energy and advanced technology areas. He urged the students and faculty to continue their work and contribute to finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change and energy security. Printed on %100 recycled paper made with post consumer fibre. 1 TheMasdarTimes International cleantech news CEO Message 2013 was a banner year for renewable energy. The global solar and wind-power sectors reaped double-digit growth and are projected to continue an upward trend though the decade. In fact, the IEA predicts that by 2016, renewables will surpass natural gas and become the world’s second biggest source of electricity. Even more telling is the fact that most of the world’s investment in clean energy and energy efficiency projects, totaling $254 billion in 2013, has come from the private sector. And with improved efficiency – and grid parity being achieved in more and more countries – investments in the sector will naturally continue. The economic benefits of renewable energy are promising, and Masdar has been a driver to accelerate its adoption globally. In 2013, Masdar’s projects added 750 MW of reliable, renewable power to the world’s energy portfolio. In March, we proudly turned on Abu Dhabi’s Shams 1 – the Middle East’s largest renewable energy project. We also partnered with DONG and E.ON to launch London Array, the world’s largest offshore wind farm. And our special projects division has made a difference to developing nations through the integration of renewable energy. Through small-scale projects, including the Sheikh Zayed Solar Power Plant in Mauritania and the Port Victoria Wind Power Plant in the Seychelles, Masdar is proving that access to energy can deliver tremendous economic, social and environmental benefits. Masdar wrapped up the year with an investment in the Kingdom of Jordan to build the 117-megawatt Tafila Wind Farm. Breaking ground in 2014, Tafila will be the first utility-scale, wind-energy project in the Middle East – increasing Jordan’s total power capacity by 3 percent and helping the nation avoid future energy shortfalls. While 2013 was a big year for Masdar, we must maintain the momentum and build a robust pipeline of projects for the future. And let’s not forget the pressing need to diversify the global energy mix. With exponential population growth – putting pressure on our resources and increasing energy demands – the world must balance traditional sources of energy with new ones. Masdar is not only striving to be a leader in the renewable energy market, but also a company playing a key role in delivering energy security for both Abu Dhabi and the world. This will be a pivotal year as we continue to make smart investments, add renewable energy capacity and create global impact. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO and Managing Director Tasmania sets renewables target The Australian island state of Tasmania has launched a new climate action plan with the goal of switching to 100 per cent renewables by 2020 and a 35 per cent reduction in emissions. Following the recent release of its Climate Smart Tasmania: A 2020 Climate Change Strategy document, the government said that its plan is the most comprehensive of any Australian government to reduce carbon emissions and help communities adapt to a changing climate. The LaborGreen Coalition in Tasmania is aiming to lift its hydro-rich state from an average 87 per cent renewables penetration to 100 per cent, thereby eliminating the importation of coal-fired power from Victoria on mainland Australia, which constituted 15 per cent of total energy use in 2007. Looking longer term, Tasmania has also set a goal of reducing emissions by 60 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050. The plan focuses on energy efficiency in existing buildings, monitoring emissions and biodiversity, water use efficiency, reducing barriers to utilising renewable energies, training Tasmania’s workforce, looking into electrification of public transport as well as managing and reducing natural hazard risks in the state. Tasmania says that it has enough renewable energy resources to support local electricity demand with the capacity to export additional capacity to the mainland. The government has outlined its top ten actions for carbon abatement and net benefits, which includes constraining urban growth, carbon smart farming, a light rail and smart transport network, seven- star rated buildings, the Tasmanian energy savings initiative, replacement of the metro bus fleet, a North-South metro transit corridor and influencing travel behavioural change. Innovation on the up in renewables sector New research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Santa Fe Institute (SFI) has revealed that the number of patents issued for renewable energy technologies has risen substantially over the last decade. The study shows that investments in research and development, as well as in the growth of markets for these products, have helped to spur this sharp growth. Jessika Trancik, assistant professor of engineering systems at MIT and report co-author, worked with SFI’s Luís Bettencourt to create a database of energy-related patents issued in more than 100 countries between 1970 and 2009, using keyword searches of the patents themselves, rather than the classifications assigned by patent offices. The research examined more than 73,000 patents issued for energy-related technologies. Further statistical analysis showed a clear correlation between the rise in patents and prior investments in research and development, along with growth in the markets for such renewable technologies. The increase was most noticeable in patents related to solar and wind while patents in fossil-fuel technologies showed a more modest increase, and nuclear technology was flat. The report also showed that the cumulative, long-term effect of research investment is extremely relevant with both investment in basic research and investment in implementation of technologies also playing an important role Counting the cost of carbon A report issued by CDP has found that large corporations in the US are utilising an internal carbon price as part of the business planning process and in preparation for future regulation. The organisation found that around 30 companies spanning all sectors of the economy from airlines and energy to technology and finance had implemented the measurement tool, which is a method of recognising the external costs of a company’s 2 operation on the environment and society. It is also used to incorporate the effects of climate change into risk assessment and long-term business planning. According to CDP, the majority of companies surveyed also indicated that they were accounting for their impact now ahead of an eventual regulatory approach to prevent climate change. The CDP report noted that the actual price set has huge variations with the Walt Disney Company, for example, disclosing a price range of between US$1020 per metric tonne while other companies put the range at anywhere between US$6 and US$60. “Many companies across the US have come to recognise that there is a price associated with the carbon they emit and an economic opportunity in factoring a carbon price into their business model,” said Tom Carnac, president of CDP North America.”Companies view the establishment of an internal carbon price as both an evaluation of risk and a business opportunity if they take steps to limit carbon pollution before others do.” SBRC gets new director The Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), the organisation tasked with identifying commercially viable means for the production of sustainable aviation fuel and other forms of energy from converted plant material, has named Dr Alejandro Ríos Galván as the new Director of the Consortium. SBRC founding partners include the Abu Dhabi Government, Etihad Airways and Boeing. Commenting on the appointment, Dr Steve Griffiths, Executive Director, Institute Initiatives, Masdar Institute, said: “The appointment of Dr Ríos Galván is a key milestone for the Consortium. His expertise and track record in the field of sustainable aviation biofuels will ensure that ongoing projects gather momentum.” A Mexican national, Dr Ríos Galván was previously the Director of ASA Fuel Services, where he oversaw the operation and management of a network of over 60 fuel farms. He was also the architect of ‘Plan de Vuelo’ (the Flight Plan Towards Sustainable Aviation Biofuels in Mexico), an initiative promoting the development of sustainable aviation biofuel in the country. The SBRC’s flagship project is the Integrated Seawater Energy Aquaculture System (ISEAS), which focuses on the development of potential fuel feedstock. In meeting its objective to become a worldclass research consortium, the SBRC is also concentrating on optimising pathways to deliver sustainable alternative fuels for aviation. Climate action support for Africa With African Development Bank (AfDB) support, six African nations – Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mali and Mozambique – have made it through a global competition run by Climate Investment Funds (CIF) to provide dedicated funding to engage the private sector in effective climate solutions. The seven project concepts endorsed for full project development in Africa focus on forests in Burkina Faso, DRC and Ghana, renewable energy in Kenya and Mali, and climate resilience in Mozambique. The selected African project concepts – a third of the 15 final winning concepts globally – will now go forward for further development by the AfDB as their CIF implementing partner.“At AfDB, we believe that private sector engagement in climate action is critically important to stimulate markets, increase investment potential, develop climate-friendly business models, and ensure a sustainable shift for effective climate solutions,” said Mafalda Duarte, AfDB’s CIF co-ordinator. The CIF, along with AfDB and the other multilateral development bank partners, launched the competition in order to help alleviate the large number of risks preventing private sector’s entrance into renewable energy, energy efficiency, forestry, and climate resilience investments, particularly in developing countries. Selected project concepts under the competition will now be fully prepared and will be presented for final funding to the CIF governing bodies in 2014. UK’s Co-op Group opts for CHP technology The UK’s Cooperative Group new Manchester headquarters building has been dubbed the ‘world’s most environmentally friendly building’, and is using combined heat and power (CHP) technology to meet its energy efficiency goals. The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), an internationally acclaimed system of assessing buildings, gave the HQ a score of 95.16 per cent - the highest ever awarded. The building’s many environmentally friendly features include power generated from crops grown on the Group’s farms; heating and cooling of the premises by drawing air below the basement and redistributing it at the earth’s core temperature; and a double skin façade that acts as a ‘duvet’ to insulate in winter and ventilate in the summer. The One Angel Square building is phase one of NOMA, a major scheme to redevelop 20 acres of the northern part of Manchester city centre with the 10-year programme planning to create a world-class, mixed-use district. Commenting on the announcement, Gavin Dunn, Director of BREEAM, BRE Global, said “This achievement of the highest score ever under BREEAM reflects an ambitious vision and commitment from The Co-operative Group and their project team. They have created a highly sustainable, extremely low carbon space. An excellent working environment with deep green credentials.” The use of cogeneration technology at The Co-operative’s new HQ in Manchester, England, was incorporated as part of the building design. The building’s CHP units are driven by pure plant oil or rapeseed oil, provided by the Group’s own crops with up to 6,000 litres of rapeseed biofuel on site at any one time. In addition, the building’s computer systems also recycle waste heat. US re-asserts ‘20/2020’ commitment The Obama administration has issued a presidential memorandum following up on its commitment to climate change plans announced this summer, significantly boosting the US federal government’s support of renewable energy to supply 20 per cent of its energy consumption by 2020. The document also instructs all federal agencies to take specific steps to better manage building performance, enhance energy efficiency and reduce energy waste. The Obama administration-issued executive order focuses on the expansion of the federal government’s electricity consumption from renewable sources to nearly triple that of its current 7.5 per cent. The ‘20/2020’ edict directs agencies to achieve the renewable energy consumption target through a number of approved actions with the installation of agencyfunded renewable energy on-site at federal facilities and retention of renewable energy certificates through to purchasing renewable energy certificates. It also sets a number of interim targets for renewable energy usage with the first of these a 10 per cent target for 2015. In terms of energy efficiency, the document instructs federal agencies to take a number of measures, such as installing building energy and water meters and publicly disclosing annual benchmark energy performance data through the Department of Energy Web-based tracking system. TheMasdarTimes Masdar news ZFEP hosts book launch The UAE launch of “The World We Made”, a part history, part personal memoir authored by Jonathon Porritt, eminent international environmentalist, Founder Director and Trustee of the Forum for the Future Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP), took place recently at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. Set in 2050 and viewed through the eyes of a history teacher, the book looks at how the world could look in 40 years. Based on extensive factual research, the book examines how technological innovations and lifestyle revolutions have the potential to transform the world to place renewable energy and solar-powered electricity at its core, creating a truly vibrant, sustainable world. The book’s innovative ideas are brought to life with futuristic photographs, infographics and hand-drawn sketches, while an extensive index provides the tools and tips needed to prepare for the future. The launch event was followed by a panel discussion, with panellists including Porritt; Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute and David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University and member of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Selection Committee. Commenting on the launch, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, said: “Porritt’s book indicates a strong hope for the future, even as we face escalating energy and resource demand.” BOLDtalks focus on bio-fuels Masdar Institute Professor of Practice and Director, Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC) Dr Alejandro Ríos Galván, spoke at the recent BOLDtalks Innovation 2013 event in Dubai on the topic of how biofuels and new generation technologies, coupled with known operations and infrastructure measures, can help the aviation industry substantially reduce carbon emissions. He noted that the main challenge is being able to sustainably produce enough feedstocks at industrial scale without falling into the common debates of food versus fuel or indirect land use change. “By improving fleet fuel efficiency by 1.5 per cent a year from now until 2020 and by capping net emissions from 2020 through carbon neutral growth, the aviation industry is moving towards reducing its carbon emissions. Our key focus is sustainable bioenergy production with emphasis on arid land utilisation and the development of aviation biofuels,” said Galván. Held at the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre, the event also generated substantial interest about the SBRC’s activities among the delegates. Established by the Abu Dhabi Government through Masdar Institute, with founding partners including Etihad Airways, The Boeing Co. and Honeywell’s UOP, SBRC is mandated with identifying commercially viable means for the production of sustainable aviation fuel and other forms of energy from converted plant material. UAE Solar Atlas project bags tech award The “UAE Solar Atlas”, which was developed by the Research Center for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment (ReCREMA) at Masdar Institute, in collaboration with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), has been named recipient of the Technology of The Year award from the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA). The award, which was presented to Dr Hosni Ghedira, Director, ReCREMA at a gala ceremony in Abu Dhabi, was part of the Middle East Solar Awards programme. The programme acknowledges and celebrates exceptional talent and achievements in the solar sector in the MENA region. Officially commissioned during the Rio+20 Summit in June 2012, the UAE Solar Atlas was made publicly available to the international community through the Global Atlas online portal developed by IRENA. Commenting on the award, Dr Ghedira said: “An accurate assessment of the spatial distribution of solar resources, with detailed and bankable data for specific potential sites, is designed to help attract investments for creating new solar energy capacity.” Officially launched in April 2012, ReCREMA was mandated by the UAE Government to develop national-level solar and wind resource-mapping tools. It is actively engaged in research in solar resource assessment in desert and arid environments, solar technologies, climate modeling and remote sensing fields. Masdar scoops trio of Emirates Energy Awards Masdar has been recognised for its achievements in developing large-scale renewable energy projects, designing buildings with high levels of energy efficiency and cultivating young professionals in the clean-energy sector at the recent Emirates Energy Award programme. The award,, which is organised by the Dubai Supreme Council for Energy, recognises and encourages best practices and leading initiatives in energy efficiency, alternative energy, sustainability and environmental protection. Masdar’s 100-megawatvvt concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, Shams 1, received an award in the Large Energy Project category; Masdar City was recognised in the Energy Efficiency category, and Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, a process performance engineer at Shams 1, was feted in the Young Professional Energy category. “We are proud to have been recognised for our achievements in developing large-scale renewable energy projects, our work to create energy-efficient buildings and – most importantly – our commitment to fostering future energy professionals,” said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. ADWEA and Masdar Institute team up on scholarship ADCCI and Masdar MoU Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Masdar to promote Abu Dhabi, and in particular Masdar City, as a key investment destination in the UAE and with the goal of aiming to ease the registration process for companies and investors. Signed by HE Mohammed Helal Al Muhairi, ADCCI Director General, and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar COO, the co-operation supports a common goal of increasing commercial activities in the emirate and at Masdar City. “Masdar is keen on establishing a formal framework with ADCCI to offer world-class services and unite our efforts to promote commercial development and investments in Abu Dhabi. The One-Stop-Shop at Masdar City, in co-operation with ADCCI, will allow us to cater to the commercial needs of companies and investors at the City in a convenient and efficient manner,” said Al Ramahi. Both parties will also participate in conferences, workshops and roadshows to showcase the emirate’s unique commercial offerings and contribute to attracting international investors to the capital. ADCCI will also assign a representative to Masdar City’s One-Stop-Shop facility to issue all necessary procedures and documents related to establishing a business in Abu Dhabi. YFEL team head to Northern India Members of Masdar Institute’s Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) outreach programme spent time in North India recently as part of a 10-day workshop on Energy Access. Ethics and Development, working on a real-life data collection project with villagers in the Ladakh region of the country. Jointly organised by YFEL with the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT and the Jamyang School in the Himalayan foothills, the week’s events included a visit by Helena Norburg Hodge, Director, International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC), and theory and hands-on sessions by Dr Scott Kennedy, Dean of Research. The group also visited nearby areas of interest including Saspol village, caves with 1,000-year old Buddhist temples, a recently opened hydroelectric plant and trekking near SECMOL. Dr Kennedy said: “We hope the course will enrich YFEL members and motivate them to build expertise in sustainable technologies that benefit remote communities.” Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach programme, YFEL offers young professionals and students from the UAE and abroad an opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges – achieving energy efficiency and tackling climate change. The Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) and Masdar Institute have signed an agreement that officially expands their strategic collaboration to jointly contribute to human capital development. The agreement formalises the terms and conditions under which ADWEA scholars will be sourced, admitted, supported, funded and supervised for post-graduate courses at Masdar Institute. Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, and His Excellency Faris Obaid Al Dhaheri, Business Support Director, ADWEA, signed the agreement. After the signing, HE Al Dhaheri said: “The scholarship agreement is designed to create learning opportunities for our national employees and enhance their skill set through post-graduate study, including Master’s and Doctoral programs. In addition to the ADWEA Scholarship Programme, we believe this agreement will further expand ADWEA’s contribution and commitment to human capital and knowledge development – one of the fundamentals of Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 plan.” The ADWEA Scholarship Program recognises the need to encourage UAE nationals to pursue postgraduate qualifications, with a special focus on water and power. Since its inception, a total of 425 students have benefited from the programme. Gulf Business recognises Masdar Institute President Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, has been named recipient of the Education CEO of the Year award at the annual Gulf Business Industry Awards. The Gulf Business Industry Awards aim to recognise the most successful businesses and leaders from sectors including banking, real estate, aviation, retail, media, energy, tourism, education and technology. The judges selected Dr Moavenzadeh for his extraordinary contribution to knowledge and human capital development in clean energy and sustainable technologies. The eminent jury panel included Ibrahim Al Ansari, CEO of Dubai First; Husam Hourani, Managing Partner from regional law firm Al Tamimi & Co.; YS Shashidhar, Managing Director of Frost and Sullivan’s business in Middle East and North Africa region; and Peter Cooper, Editor and Publisher of the Middle East’s independent subscriber-based website and investment newsletter ArabianMoney. Widely recognised for his innovative role in building global institutions and developing new models of teaching and research through international initiatives in education, science and technology, Dr Moavenzadeh has a long and distinguished career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was named the President of Masdar Institute in July 2010 to support the mandate of transforming the emirate into a leading source of advanced technologies and highly skilled human capital. He remains instrumental in driving multi-disciplinary research in science and engineering at the Institute. Double win for Masdar Institute students Two UAE national students from Masdar Institute have been named among the five winners of this year’s Akoun Business Ideas Competition, organised by Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (ADCED). Saeed Al Menhali, a Master’s student in the Engineering Systems Management program, has won the award for his ‘E-Bakalah’ concept, an electronic grocery that aims to fulfill the needs of busy residents in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Mohamed Al Musharrekh, a Master’s student in the Mechanical Engineering programme and YFEL member, won with his ‘Beauty touch 3D paint centre’ project. The two Masdar Institute students’ proposals were selected from over 100 entries. Akoun awards the best business proposals with funding to help students on the way to successfully start-up their businesses. Commenting on the awards, Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The Akoun award illustrates the outstanding entrepreneurial spirit of our students. With the support of the country’s leadership, we contribute to developing new entrepreneurs while supporting Abu Dhabi’s human capital development in clean energy. We congratulate our students for being among the top five winners and hope other youth in the UAE will emulate these successful examples. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Masdar Collaborate to Make UAE Diplomatic Buildings More Efficient The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, have signed two contracts whereupon Masdar will audit the energy, waste and water efficiency of the UAE Ministry Foreign Affairs headquarters, and provide an assessment on the sustainability elements of the new UAE embassy design in Doha, Qatar. Under the agreements, Masdar will provide its expertise on sustainability and building efficiency to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Masdar will conduct an audit to ensure that the Ministry’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi and the UAE diplomatic mission in Doha benefit from increased operational efficiency through measures to reduce waste, and conserve energy and water. The work in Doha will ensure that the embassy meets the energy performance and indoor air quality standards of Abu Dhabi’s Estidama Pearl Rating System. 3 TheMasdarTimes In focus Powering progress Energy experts at 22nd World Energy Congress in South Korea discuss action plan to accelerate pace of global renewables development as UAE announces bid for 2019 event Daegu, Korea was the venue for the 22nd World Energy Congress, which took place this past October, with more than 5,000 energy experts, industry leaders and politicians gathering under the theme ‘Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today’. Prompting discussion among the 250 energy leaders present was the newly released World Energy Council (WEC) 10-point action plan for how governments, industry, and key decisionmakers should refocus their efforts and resources to achieve real progress in resolving the energy ‘trilemma’. The report, which was the culmination of a two-year WEC study, provides a detailed guide to creating a global policy framework that addresses the energy trilemma: energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability. Recommendations from 24 months of research were the result of interviews with over 100 energy leaders in 41 countries, including chief executives, ministers, and heads of development banks. “Over the last two years our study has identified what governments and energy leaders believe is needed to balance the energy trilemma. These leaders say they are ready to act now, but acknowledge that they need more guidance and support. Our analysis provides the basis for countries to assess their political and institutional risk, and our new ‘Agenda for Change’ report describes how they can mitigate such risk and unlock the investment to deliver the required energy infrastructure,” said Joan MacNaughton, Executive Chair of the WEC’s World Energy Trilemma studies. The global pressure facing the renewable energy industry, where subsidies have been the main drivers of both development and investment in renewables, but where economic instability and stop-start politics in developed countries are unsettling investors, was also hotly debated. Participants agreed that renewables still offer enormous potential in terms of growth and green jobs and international efforts to make renewables a fact of life rather than a ‘fashion’ are gaining momentum. Dolf Gielen, director general of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) confirmed that agency membership currently stands at 118 nations, with China and India about to join. The upbeat mood was tempered by the realities of the actual pace of development. “We’re not going to be totally renewably powering the world any time soon,” said Jeremy Leggett, founder and chairman of Solarcentury from the UK. Jorge Cruz Morais, head of the international unit of Portuguese energy company EDP, called for power markets to be “redesigned” to create a more balanced portfolio of energy sources to cope with increasing demand from a rapidly accelerating global population. The industry consensus at the closing plenary session was that the world needs to revamp much of its thinking to meet the energy challenges of the 21st century, from fostering new energy sources to structuring the best mix of public and private incentives to curb carbon emissions. The UAE Minister of Energy, Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, also confirmed on the final day of the event that the UAE will bid to host the 2019 World Energy Congress. Hosting the congress in Abu Dhabi would mark the first time in the event’s 90-year history that it has been held in one of the OPEC member countries. The UAE has a strong heritage of energy leadership. We have partnered without interruption with the world’s leading energy companies to ensure reliable oil and gas supply, and we are taking the same approach in new energy sectors, both domestically and globally,“ he said. His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Masdar CEO, said the UAE has been a leader in the new energy sector. “As a nation, we were regional first movers within the renewable energy space, forging ahead with pioneering investments in wind and solar power,” HE Dr. Al Jaber said. “And today, we are exporting clean energy expertise to nations that have identified a need to accelerate their renewable energy portfolios.“ WEC Agenda for Change action plan •Connect the energy trilemma to the broader national agenda •Provide leadership to build consensus – nationally and globally •Improve policymaker dialogue •Increase engagement with the financial community •Minimise policy and regulatory risk and ensure optimal risk allocation •Adopt market-based approaches to carbon pricing to drive investments •Design transparent, flexible and dynamic pricing frameworks •Drive (green) trade liberalisation •Meet the need for more research, development & demonstration (RD&D) •Encourage joint pre-commercial industry initiatives, including early large-scale demonstration and deployment State of sustainability With a commitment to environmental and economic sustainability spanning more than four decades, Abu Dhabi and the UAE have always placed conservation atop their agenda, from wildlife to urban development The late president of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was a well-documented pioneer of conservation issues and, along with the rulers of the other emirates, set the wheels in motion for the sustainable development of the nation. From a fledgling public afforestation programme in 1969 that has seen more than 150 million trees grow and flourish along with the UAE economy, to the launch of Masdar in 2006, the emirate has been addressing both environmental and economic sustainability challenges for more than 40 years. Renewable energy alternatives are a relative newcomer to the table, with Masdar spearheading the awareness, advancement and implementation of these resources through education, R&D, investment and commercialisation. However, the UAE has been charting a sustainable course since 1971. Flora and fauna Under the emirate of Abu Dhabi’s forestry programme, forests account for 70 per cent of the total greenery in the emirate, covering over 360,000 hectares, while farms account for 28 per cent. Municipalities across the UAE are also involved in the annual nationwide tree planting week programme, which was created to drive community awareness about the importance of planting trees, proper cultivation and each individual’s commitment to preserving the natural landscape. 4 The mangrove forests that proliferate the country’ shoreline are an important part of the coastal ecosystem, providing a rich natural habitat and breeding grounds for various species of fish and turtles. Abu Dhabi is home to more than 75 per cent of the total mangroves in the UAE, from the Easter Mangroves on the outer perimeter of the city to Saadiyat Island and vast tracts in the Western Region. As part of the Saadiyat Island development project, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi partnered with the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) to plant 750,000 saplings of mangroves covering over 25 per cent of the island. The past and current UAE leadership have also launched a number of programmes targeting the protection of the sensitive desert ecosystem through the regeneration of a number of natural habitats and wildlife reserves. On the former private island of Sir Bani Yas, whose Arabian Wildlife Park is now a controlled tourism destination, Sheikh, Zayed launched a programme of captive breeding and reintroduction of rare species, including the endangered Arabian Oryx and Houbara bustard, saving the former from near extinction. The UAE is now home to the largest population of Arabian Oryx in the world, with an estimated 4,500 living in natural reserves and on private farms from Sir Bani Yas and Al Ain Zoo to Al Wathba and Al Jarf. TheMasdarTimes Inside Masdar Man of action Masdar City’s newest recruit, Amier Al Awadhi, is preparing to take the high profile business unit to the next level with a dynamic approach to driving new business A relatively new member of the Masdar family, Amier Al Awadhi, joined the team just two months ago as Head of Business Development for Masdar City. The designated Special Economic Zone is a high profile component within the landmark Masdar site, and Al Awadhi takes on the mantle of growing the number of renewable energyrelated companies housed within Masdar City. With 14 years’ experience in business development and relationship management across a variety of industry sectors, he was previously with National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), where he led the establishment of the company’s real estate arm – Abu Dhabi National Properties. The move to Masdar is something that Al Awadhi says is a combination of opportunity and challenge, as he explains: “I really like the direction that the company is going in and I see [the vision] as something attainable. secure new clients and identifying strategic business development opportunities to ensuring commercial and leasing prospects meet clearly defined targets. Motivation is clearly not an issue as his rapid-fire responses show. “The team here is incredibly friendly and made me feel like a member of the family from day one. Everyone has been extremely responsive, helpful and informative. It makes me feel like I want to be here every day!” His own personal interest in renewable energy and environmental issues is also on an upswing since joining Masdar. “The concept of renewable energy is all around us, even in our simple electronic gadgets, but nobody really knows how much it can truly add to what we are doing. I like the fact that I now have the “The switch from finance to future energy could be viewed as something completely different, but I wanted to be directly involved in making real change for the long term; effectively ‘changing the world’.” opportunity to actually explain to people about It isn’t the first time that he has switched industry sectors, following key roles at Dubai Maritime City where he headed up the special projects team, and in sales with Dubai World – Nakheel. anything but routine, as he explains: “There is Al Awadhi sees his role at Masdar, and his change in direction, as another link in the career chain connecting his skillset and banking, maritime and real estate world experience. “This completes the puzzle and links my different fields of expertise with this role covering everything from development and planning to sales,” he remarks. brought together in one place. It really is quite His multi-disciplinary expertise is already standing him in good stead as he gets into the intricacies of the job where his responsibilities extend from increasing awareness about Masdar City’s unique value propositions to how we can reduce our carbon footprint and find real alternatives to fossil fuels,” he says. As with other senior executives, his day is no typical day and that’s very exciting. There is always something new and innovative coming into the picture. I really like the dynamics of the different minds that have all been extraordinary.” The complete immersion into his new role may sound overwhelming, but for this selfproclaimed ‘man of action’, who can be found quad biking, jet skiing or pursuing other fast-paced pursuits when not at his desk, it’s the perfect balance between professional responsibility and priceless leisure time. “I want to be able to explore the energy concept in more depth and grow with it” Amier Al Awadhi Head of Business Development, Masdar Science on show Behind closed doors Masdar Institute’s new cleanroom facility is set to open up new areas of scientific exploration as well as give visitors a behind-the-scenes window on the latest research human hair, requiring advanced techniques to keep microscopic particles out of sensitive equipment. This highly specialised facility will be used for both teaching and multidisciplinary research in the fields of Material Science, Mechanical Engineering and Microsystems Engineering. “This facility is a strong asset to research in advanced technology, and the only such cleanroom in the GCC, ” said Sami Issa, Executive Director at ATIC. “The research taking place in this cleanroom is guided by targeted industry and academic collaboration, playing a key role driving technology development while laying the foundations for a thriving research hub in the region.” The newly unveiled Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) Cleanroom represents the next phase in development for the prestigious Masdar Institute of Science & Technology, with next generation lab building and support facilities designed to benefit students and allow the general public a unique insight into the groundbreaking research being conducted on campus. The facilities include a built-in cleanroom, which has two Class 1000 bays, plus two additional Class 100 bays as well as a softwall cleanroom, providing an ultra-clean environment and the photolithography tools needed for advanced microelectronics research and small-scale production. One major advantage of the new cleanroom design is its visibility through sections of the enclosing walls, which will allow it to serve as an important facet of the institute’s community outreach programme and educational tour stop. Up to 10,000 times cleaner than a medical operating theatre, cleanrooms are critical to maintaining the sterile environment needed for semiconductor manufacturing. Research in the facility can occur on parameters over 1,000 times smaller than the width of a It will provide a privileged glimpse into the research conducted at Masdar Institute with viewing access to the type of equipment, operators, and a tangible understanding to those unfamiliar with micro and nanofabrication technology. The Class 100 section of the cleanroom lab will house: • Lithography tools including a UV mask aligner and electron-beam lithography scanning electron microscopy, photoresist processing benches for applying developing and baking the films and inspection microscope • High temperature/cleaning stations with stack furnaces for oxidation and annealing and RCA cleaning tools, plus plasma etchers The Class 100 cleanroom bays will be equipped with: • Metal/dielectric deposition tools including an atomic layer deposition, ebeam evaporator, pulsed laser deposition, sputterer and plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD), • Dry processing equipment with a deep reactive ion etcher (DRIE) for silicon/ silicon nitride, barrel asher (for PDMS plasma bonding), three reactive ion etchers (RIEs) for both dielectric and semiconductor materials and rapid thermal anneal • Wet processes including wet benches with spin dryers for acids, solvents and bases, scanning electron microscope, thin film measurement tools, device test equipment, probe station, a C-V and I-V metre and a microfluidic test system 5 TheMasdarTimes Community Milestone moments In seven short years, Masdar has transitioned from cleantech dream to operational reality, with projects on three continents and a growing roster of groundbreaking initiatives that are changing the perceptions and practicalities of renewable energy adoption 2006 •Clean energy grabs international headlines with the official launch of the Masdar Initiative • Announcement of first US$250 million Masdar Clean Energy Fund with Credit Suisse the world’s largest offshore scheme upon completion sun’s heat to cool Masdar City buildings. It is one of just a handful in the world • The US$2.2 million Zayed Future Energy Prize, an international awards programme designed to recognise individuals, companies, organisations and NGOs leading the global search for future energy solutions, is announced • Masdar launches second cleantech fund with Deutsche Bank, valued at US$265 million • Shams 1, the UAE’s first CSP plant, goes out to tender 2007 2009 • Masdar launches the first ever World Future Energy Summit, a global cooperative platform in the search for solutions to energy security, climate change and sustainable human development • Masdar City Special Economic Zone welcomes first company registration • Master plan for Masdar City starts to takes shape 2008 • Masdar City connects first 10-megawatt photovoltaics (PV) plant to Abu Dhabi’s electrical grid, with 87.000 PV panels and capacity to supply 17,500 megawatt-hours per annum • Masdar City selected by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to serve as the interim - and ultimately - permanent location for its global headquarters 2010 • Masdar and UK’s E.ON join forces to partner in the London Array offshore wind farm project; which will become • Shams 1 construction begins establish EMIC - a new carbon project development joint venture • Masdar City celebrates reaching 50 registered companies • 100 companies registered as Masdar City tenants • Construction of Masdar and IRENA flagship headquarters building begins • Torresol Energy’s Valle I & II projects fully commissioned and operational • Phase one of Masdar Institute campus inaugurated • ZFEP prize fund purse increased to US$4 million; records a 300% growth in number of submissions • Pilotless Personal Rapid Transit transport system (PRT) commissioned • Masdar Institute enrolls 336 students as of Q3 2012; 42% are UAE nationals • Construction of Siemens regional headquarters at Masdar City commences and Siemens-Masdar partnership signed • 13 patents filed by Masdar Institute students and faculty with more than 20 invention disclosures awaiting filing decisions 2011 • Incubator Building construction commences •Geo-thermal wells completed • Masdar Institute welcomes first intake • Masdar City sees number of of 89 students registered companies jump to 75 • Torresol Energy – a joint venture between Spanish engineering group SENER (60%) and Masdar (40%) – is created, with the aim of becoming the world leader in the Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) sector through the development and operation of large CSP • Masdar and E.ON Climate & Renewables plants around the world • Construction on first phase of Masdar City begins, along with the launch of the onsite materials recycling centre • Shams 1 joint venture between Masdar (60%), Total (20%) and Abengoa (20%) announced; project receives approval from the United Nations to become a CDM project eligible for carbon credits 2012 • Torresol Energy’s Gemasolar CSP project in southern Spain inaugurated • Testing and commissioning of Shams 1 begins • Masdar logs 492 employees with over 36 nationalities represented • First Gulf Bank and Masdar launch UAE’s first eco-friendly credit card 2013 •Initiation of sustainable transport pilot project using Mitsubishi electronic vehicles •Shams 1 officially inaugurated • Shams 1 installs first 20% of its solar collectors (mirrors) at the Western Region site • Mauritania 15-megawatt solar PV project officially inaugurated • Masdar City reports 120 companies registered • Seychelles six-megawatt wind farm officially inaugurated • London Array 630-megawatt wind farm officially launched • First Gulf-sited proprietary double-effect solar thermal cooling system activated; created to test the viability of using the Sustainability in motion The development of a world-class transportation system for Abu Dhabi is the driving force behind the Department of Transport’s sustainability-focused master plan Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport (DoT) was established in 2006 with a mandate to support and regulate the development and growth of a world-class transport system for the emirate. In addition to increasing the operational capabilities and reach of the existing public transport system, DoT is also investing in new infrastructure to support a modal shift and accommodate projected future demand. Investment areas include development of a new light rail metro service, the construction of major roads and highways, and support for the development of the Etihad federal railway system. 6 Road Rail Charge and go In 2012, a project was initiated to create a new transport artery between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to reduce congestion on the current busy E11 highway. One of the largest infrastructure projects that DoT has worked on as part of its sustainable transport master plan, the 62-kilometre E311 road will run parallel to the existing E11 highway, extending from Mohammed bin Zayed Road in Saih Sheib through Al Maha Forest and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad). It is also designed to create new gateways to Abu Dhabi city, the airport and both Yas and Saadiyat Islands. The project is due for completion in 2017. The proposed Abu Dhabi Metro and Light Rail system will also ease road congestion with the DoT, and will cover approximately 131 kilometres of rail track. DoT anticipates that, along with current public transportation services, the expanded network of travel options will eventually serve 823,000 new daily commuters and eliminate 400,000 daily road trips. It will potentially make 105,000 cars redundant by 2030. DoT also estimates that it will save up to 102 million hours of travel time annually and eliminate 23,000 accidents. Connectivity will run from the city out to surrounding neighbourhoods, including Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and Al Raha Beach. The contract for the US$7 billion first phase of the project is set to be awarded by March 2014, with the network becoming operational by 2016/7. DoT has also been trialling two new electric buses as part of its citywide coverage with the Ankai-branded vehicles operating in various locations in the metropolitan Abu Dhabi area and selected suburbs for a six-month trial period. The fully electric bus uses cost-effective, plug-in technology, with the option of battery change and en route charging. The battery can reach 80 per cent of capacity within a threehour period, and at fully charged capacity can cover up to 200 kilometres. The buses are being subjected to a rigorous internal performance assessment through multiple route selection and different trip scenarios from city-based urban frequent start-stop profiles and longer suburban journeys. Other benefits of the electric vehicles include reduced vehicle noise and faster acceleration. TheMasdarTimes Community Become an energy star with Etisalat Telecoms provider Etisalat is targeting companies across the UAE as part of its ongoing Emirates Energy Star initiative, which aims to substantially reduce both the country’s energy consumption and its carbon footprint by 2015 designed to increase energy efficiency through Managed Energy Monitoring Services is retrofitted into participating buildings. This helps audit energy consumption, deploy optimisation measures, and monitor consumption over a period of time. Through Etisalat SIM cards, the Global Command Control Centre assesses the electricity consumption of chillers and electronic devices at participating buildings with round-the-clock monitoring. At the last count, some 131 companies are currently part of the UAE-wide programme. It covers low to high-rise buildings across commercial and residential towers, hospitals, hotels, shopping malls, mixed-use facilities and academic institutions. While new buildings present a unique opportunity to integrate environmentally conscious design and cutting-edge technologies, the issue of retrofitting existing office towers, commercial spaces and residential properties has previously played second fiddle to creating state-of-the-art workplaces. The Emirates Energy Star programme was launched in 2011 as a joint initiative between Etisalat and the award-winning, Dubaibased green company Pacific Controls. The programme focuses on bringing older buildings up to par by optimising energy usage through 24/7, real-time monitoring and control. It has the ultimate goal of reducing both the country’s energy consumption and its carbon footprint by 20 per cent as of the year 2015. Implemented under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment and Water and the United Nations Environment Programme, the initiative also seeks to enable the UAE government to be the first in the world not only to reduce its carbon footprint but also to monitor and report on its carbon footprint in real time. Machines to Machines (M2M) technology Companies that have signed up include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, First Gulf Bank in Dubai, DP World, Deyaar’s Dubai headquarters, the Al Rostamani 21st Century Tower and a host of government and related entities such as the Ministry of Social Affairs, Dubai Municipality’s Al Twar Centre, the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Economic Development and Silicon Oasis. The project is also being implemented by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research across six of its campuses. In addition to the obvious cost savings for the end-user in the form of lower utility bills, the Emirates Energy Star programme is also helping to decrease pollution, reduce water consumption, and reduce the resultant waste. Participating companies pay for the service via monthly subscription, with plans tailor- made to suit specific customer needs following a comprehensive energy survey of the building. This involves an in-depth analysis of the equipment and building occupancy pattern, equipment ratings and usage, and historical energy consumption data. Customers are rated with an Energy Star Award, with five successive levels to strive for based on the energy efficiency improvements achieved through the programme. There is a 10 per cent minimum to receive a single star, and five stars are awarded for 30 per cent savings or more. According to Abdullah Hashim, Etisalat Senior Vice President, Information and Communication Technology, building owners are able to recover their investment into the programme from the savings that they make, with the payback period averaging anywhere from 18 to 24 months. He also said that Etisalat has seen a major shift in demand from the government sector in particular over the last year, with more departments eager to sign up after seeing the potential savings returns, and wanting to be part of the greening of the economy. Three years on from its launch, the Emirates Energy Star programme has saved 29,137 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of planting 6,257 trees – as well as recording impressive cash savings of AED 17.6 million. In energy output terms, this represents around 49.2 million kilowatts per hour across a total managed area of 16.2 million square feet, and a cumulative18 per cent savings across all participating facilities. Energy for change The renewables movement is gathering momentum across the GCC as governments commit to sustainable solutions to address rising energy demand KUWAIT the use of renewable energy in rural areas. The Kuwaiti government plans to power 15 per cent of the nation’s grid through alternative energy sources by 2030. These plans include the Shagaya renewable energy park project. Headed up by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, the Shagaya project will involve the integration of energy storage technologies alongside solar-thermal, solarphotovoltaic, and wind-energy generation. According to a study conducted by the German Aerospace Center, Oman’s daily solar radiation average of 2,500 to 6,000 kilowatts per hour offers huge potential for renewables development, as it has one of the highest solar energy densities in the world. The country’s extended coastline and exposure to strong summer and monsoon winds also means it is well-suited for wind energy project development. With the goal of generating approximately two gigawatts of renewable energy to power up to 100,000 homes by 2030, the project will include a 50-megawatt concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, a 10 megawatt photovoltaic plant and a 10 megawatt wind energy facility, with a scheduled 2016 launch. The proposed, 100-square-kilometre CSP plant, which will be located in the Shagaya desert region – 100 kilometres west of Kuwait City – is expected to be a 50-megawatt parabolic trough facility with thermal energy storage. The first phase of the project will be government-financed, with the subsequent second and third phases offered to investors on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis for 25 years, with the government committed to procuring all output. OMAN The Sultanate of Oman has its own ambitious plans for six alternative energy projects as it approaches the midway point of its current, five-year (2013-17) renewable energy plan. A target of generating 10 per cent of Oman’s electricity from the sun by 2020 is already in place. In early 2013, the Authority for Electricity Regulation announced that it planned to issue new guidelines promoting Four solar plants and two wind farms are planned for development under the auspices of the Rural Areas Electricity Company (RAEC). The Musandam has been confirmed as the location for one solar plant, with the remaining three sited in Al Wusta governorate. Al Dhofar province will be the location of the two wind farms. RAEC also recently signed an agreement with US-based Astonfield to generate electricity from renewable energy resources. A pilot solar power plant located in the Al Mazyunah area of Dhofar will begin commercial operations in mid-2014 with a 303-kilowatt capacity. Another initiative will see Swiss private investment fund Terra Nex collaborate with the Middle East Best Select (MEBS) Group of Funds on plans to invest US$2 billion in the development of solar power for the Sultanate. Solar power stations, solar panel and aluminium frame factories and renewable energy engineering institutes will be tapped for involvement in the project, which is awaiting sign-off at government level. QATAR Qatar plans to generate 20 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2024 with Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) set to tender the first phase of a 200-megawatt solar project at the start of 2014. According to Qatar’s Minister of Industry and Energy, His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, the initial phase of the 200-megawatt solar programme will generate between five and 10 megawatts through its pilot plants, at an estimated cost of US$30 million. The second phase will involve assessment of the initial sites, with a view to bringing in private investment to increase solar capacity and install 1,800 megawatts of green capacity by 2020. Ahead of its hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, which Qatar hopes to make a carbonneutral tournament, the Qatari government is also working to develop efficient, solarpowered cooling technology for its stadia as well as pioneering research in solar desalination, manufacturing and supplying polysilicon solar solutions. In the real estate sector, over 2,000 photovoltaic panels and 37 inverters have been installed on the Msheireb Downtown Doha project buildings as part of a sustainable regeneration initiative. International companies are also involved in research and development in the solar sector with US energy giant Chevron investing US$10 million in the Centre for Sustainable Energy Efficiency (CSEE) at Qatar Science & Technology Park, with local clean energy firm GreenGulf also contributing US$10 million. Texas A&M University’s Doha campus is also currently working on a project using solar energy to break down natural gas into carbon and hydrogen for industrial uses. SAUDI ARABIA The King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA-CARE) was launched in 2010 with a mandate to contribute to sustainable development in the Kingdom through the use of science, research and industries related to renewable and atomic energy. The end goals are raising the standard of living, improving the quality of life in Saudi Arabia, and creating additional employment and investment opportunities. Located to the southwest of Riyadh, KACARE will be home to its own headquarters, national laboratories and an innovation park as well as residential and commercial real estate. It will also include a well-planned social infrastructure and entertainment destinations in a network of public spaces and gardens. This network will be served by the latest information and communications technology and transportation services. KA-CARE has set a short-term goal of generating around 5.1 gigawatts of energy from renewable resources by 2018, and 23.9 gigawatts by 2020, rising to 54 gigawatts by 2032. Almost 80 per cent of this renewable energy is set to come from solar power, with the balance generated through a combination of wind, geothermal and waste-to-energy resources. Plans include a US$109 billion project to provide solar capacity generating up to 41,000 megawatts, which will have the potential to power one third of the country’s national grid by 2032. Preliminary estimates report that the solar panels will offset up to 44 million tonnes of CO2 emissions – the equivalent of 10 million fewer cars on the road – with a savings of approximately 523,000 barrels of oil per day over a 20-year period. 7 TheMasdarTimes Masdar in pictures His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, with members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program Over 35 Experts Attend EU-GCC Event Organized by Masdar Institute that Highlights GCC’s Uptake of Clean Energy Solutions Ambassador Karan Bhatia, Vice President for Global Government Affairs & Policy at GE (NYSE:GE) addressed students, faculty and staff of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology Masdar participates in the ‘Flag Day’ initiative. Masdar participates in GITEX 2013 Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, Turkmenistan President, visits Masdar City Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Masdar Collaborate to Make UAE Diplomatic Buildings More Efficient. From right -HE Sheikh Al Hamed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mohamed Al Ramahi, Masdar’s Chief Operating Officer Researcher in ATIC Masdar Cleanroom 8 TheMasdarTimes Features Living the green dream A luxury sustainable lifestyle is already part of the Dubai real estate landscape, while Abu Dhabi is developing a first-of-itskind Emirati housing project built on Estidama principles Al Barari, Dubai Located off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in the Dubai hinterland, the luxury Al Barari community, whose name is derived from the Arabic word for wilderness, is a model development for high-end, sustainable living. The project was launched in 2005 by Emirati businessman and developer Zaal Mohammed Zaal, and positioned from the outset as the Middle East’s first integrated, luxury ecoconscious development. As a unique, environmentally sustainable residential development for the region, its limited-edition villas have all been constructed according to a stringent environmental management plan. The plan incorporates landscaping featuring a variety of local species of flora grown in the community’s own 18-hectare onsite Greenworks nursery. While luxury is the keyword for the development, which is set amidst 14 kilometres of landscaped lakes, streams and gardens, it is one of the lowest density luxury residential developments in the country, with 80 per cent of its total area dedicated to open green spaces. The four different styles of villas are grouped in leaf-shaped clusters to minimise the impact of the infrastructure on the land. The master plan was designed to encourage residents to walk and cycle rather than use their cars. Al Barari’s water management systems incorporate a wide variety of applications designed to optimise usage with smart irrigation structures for villa gardens, an on-site reverse osmosis plant that produces Class A water for irrigation, and pollution traps to prevent ground contaminants and litter. Water run-off from villa rooftops is also collected via a system of drainage trenches and ‘soakaways’, and used to help replenish groundwater reserves. Villas also have individual energy-efficiency home systems, and residents are encouraged to recycle through the underground waste system that separates organic from nonorganic waste. Community facilities also include an organic restaurant, The Farm. Al Ain Ghareba, Abu Dhabi An Emirati housing project situated close to the city of Al Ain, the 1,000-villa community is under development by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) and Aldar Sorouh Properties. The first project of its kind that will be constructed to comply with the Abu Dhabi government’s stringent Estidama sustainability guidelines, the resourceefficient community will be built to attain an Estidama Pearl level two rating, based on a rating system with a highest sustainability level of four. Key to the master plan is the fact that villas will be sited within a walkable distance of 350 metres to local green spaces and community facilities, with open areas and paths shaded to encourage future residents to walk and cycle throughout the year. Features will include improved ventilation design and increased natural daylight, with a targeted 25 per cent efficiency improvement on conventionally designed properties. The improvement comes from special thermostats located in all living and bedroom spaces to optimise air-conditioning usage and reduce energy consumption. Water usage will also be 30 per cent lower than average, thanks to the installation of low-flow taps. Overall energy performance targets of 20 per cent over regular homes will be achieved through the implementation of ultra-efficient window fittings and a solar water-heating system that will produce 80 per cent of total hot water requirements. Insulation in the villas will be free from ozone-depleting materials, and up to 20 per cent of all construction materials will be regionally sourced with 50 per cent of construction waste to be sent for recycling. Viewpoint Power grids so smart they can teach themselves By Dr Wei Lee Woon, Masdar Institute Associate Professor of Computing & Information Science and Dr Hatem Zeineldin, Associate Professor of Electrical Power Engineering The future of electricity transmission depends on two things – a renewable way to get energy and an efficient way to get it where it needs to go. The former is well underway, but the latter has some distance to go. the middle of the night, using their electronics and appliances. To make matters even more complicated, renewable sources of energy are quite often physically spread out, such as solar roof panels. To make these adaptive and environmentally friendly distribution systems, or smart grids, we will need a number of significant advances in the supporting technologies and systems. Instead of a large single source, such as a power plant, you have lots of small sources in many places. Even power grids that include lots of alternative energy sources would still require conventional power plants to meet the peak demand for electricity. Today’s power grids are based on radial topologies; they are one-way streets coming from a single point. Electricity is generated at a central source, then transmitted and distributed to consumers in a one-way outflow. This is easy to understand and easier to manage. But soon, this simplistic configuration will no longer suffice. We expect in future that a large chunk of our energy will come from renewable sources, which are less predictable than current ones. Sun and wind are the most obvious of these, but unfortunately neither is constant, and the best science in the world cannot control the weather. Nor is the demand for electricity constant. People will turn up their air-conditioning in the heat of the day, but few people are awake in As a result, we need grids in which power can flow in both directions – individual users can be either a net supplier or consumer at any given time, depending on the conditions. Think of a motorway system instead of one-way streets. Consumers need to be able to tap the grid for electricity when their own renewable energy supply runs low, or supply it back to the same grid when their rooftop solar panel or backyard wind turbine generates excess. A complex problem calls for a complex solution, and among the most powerful computational tools available to scientists today are machinelearning algorithms. These are mathematical techniques that enable computers to adapt and ‘learn’ to handle specific and complex tasks. They have been deployed in systems ranging from smart phones to advanced robotics. In the context of an electricity grid, we are looking to design algorithms that can mitigate the conflicts and problems resulting from the complexities of a smart grid whose flow changes with the flick of every light switch. In particular, our team of researchers at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology has been tackling the problem of fault detection. Faults are abnormal occurrences in a power grid that can choke or interrupt the supply of electricity. As they are used more, they will be able to adapt and learn, constantly getting better. By providing some of the smarts in a smart grid, these systems will help keep future power grids online so people have all the energy they need without interruption. The reliable and affordable supply of energy is critical not only to living comfortably, but also to economic strength and stability, which are essential for any competitive and ambitious country. Beyond simply detecting faults, these intelligent algorithms eventually promise more advanced capabilities such as finding the locations of faults, identifying their causes and even predicting them before they happen. These machine-learning techniques will be used to design relays that can help to protect a system and its users from these potential dangers. And while these systems should work from the moment we switch them on, that is just the start. 9 TheMasdarTimes Features From polluter to protector A frontman for the UAE’s environmental movement on the global stage, Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi, known as the ‘Green Sheikh’, is on a lifelong mission to make us all more ecologically aware A frontman for the UAE’s environmental movement on the global stage, Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi, known as the ‘Green Sheikh’, is on a lifelong mission to make us all more ecologically aware Eco-Systems was the first step for Al Nuaimi towards making a 360-degree life change. He later took on a high-profile role as official environmental adviser for the emirate of Ajman. A degree in chemical and petroleum engineering initially sent Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi down a career path that seemed destined to follow the petrodollar fortunes of one of the world’s most valuable commodities. However, a childhood dream was the catalyst for a volte-face that took him from polluter to protector. A member of the Ajman royal family, he is also CEO of Al Ihsan Charity Centre, Chairman of the International Steering Committee for the Global Initiative Towards a Sustainable Iraq (GITSI), honourable president of the Zayed Environmental Impact Network and is involved with dozens of environmental groups both here and abroad. “My interest in the environment started when I was six years old. My father, Sheikh Ali bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, had a passion for falconry and hunting, and I felt his connection to these noble birds and nature, which was at the time an unconsciousness learning experience,” he says. But it is the hands-on work he undertakes in promoting environmental issues, especially among young people, that marks him as a true advocate for the cause, with an engaging presentation style that is underpinned by his own personal commitment to living a greener lifestyle. “What I remember most clearly is that he said, ‘Don’t be a falconer like me, but become the falcon yourself’. And when he passed away in 1990, the falcon inside me appeared, reigniting my dreams and passion,” he adds. “We all face many challenges in our daily lives involving carelessness, irresponsibility and the unnecessarily high consumption of goods in society,” he says. His personal journey truly began to take shape in 1996, as he explains: “For three years, I worked in the oil industry and then in natural gas liquefaction plants. I breathed in sulfur dioxide from the air while I lived, worked, and exercised; I was literally inhaling low lethal doses of toxins. My lungs were irritated and filled with toxic waste; my breathing became laboured, and I saw people psychologically and physically affected from their exposure to the toxic environment.” A PhD in Cleaner Production and Industrial “I often use the term ‘Power Of Less’. With less we can live better, healthier and more sustainably. By ‘Living with Less’ and making small changes at home, this will greatly impact our lives, and behavioural change starts at home and in schools,” he says. Al Nuaimi has reduced his own carbon footprint by around 30 per cent, significantly reducing his personal plastic footprint by eliminating plastic bags and plastic straws, and using glasses instead. His children use stainless steel bottles for their water, and his showers last just two minutes, using the equivalent of 15 litres of water. “I am committed to reducing my own ecological footprint each day. Living a sustainable lifestyle will improve the quality of life for our entire social circles, and through these interactions we also enrich our lives,” he says. From personal commitment to the country’s environmental agenda, Al Nuaimi praises the efforts of the UAE in addressing its sustainable future, as a young country undergoing rapid development. “Our greatest challenge is the source of our economic success - the easy availability of fossil fuel, the abundance of resources, shortages of fresh natural water that make us dependent on the desalinated seawater and almost taxfree opportunities. “The country is working very intelligently to raise awareness and application of clean, renewable and alternative energies, such as solar energy as seen with the recent commissioning of Shams 1 (the world’s largest operating concentrated solar power plant), in order to instill a sense of environmental responsibility and respect for sustainability in our communities. This shows that even a fossil fuel-rich country can be committed to sustainable practices, and can be a visionary for the future.” As a role model for young people both in the UAE and around the world, Al Nuaimi says his advice to the next generation of environmental game-changers is simple: “Be prepared for responsibility, authority and accountability for future challenges and, before that, define the ultimate goal and identify your passion. It is the plan that sets the action in motion; it is the action that achieves results; and it is the results that bring success.” He shares a favourite quote from US General George Patton, who said, ‘Never tell people how to do things, but tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity’. This is interwoven into his ‘5M’ approach to preparing young leaders: modelling, mentoring, monitoring, motivating and multiplying. “I respect youth and see them changing the world. As a result of many years involved in this area, I have come to one major realisation, that the survival of our planet and of us as people depends on inspiring the young generation to get involved in addressing these major issues, today. Young people are powerful; they do not know what is not possible,” he remarks. While Al Nuaimi acknowledges that his work is a lifelong commitment, he does have an end goal. “I want to clone the Green Sheikh, not in the sense of making an identical copy of myself, but to create 1,000 new young, talented sustainability-focused leaders for our shared future,” he says, with a smile. His goal is becoming a reality with the launch of the Green Sheikh Academy™, which has a ‘pay-it-forward’ approach to inspiring and mentoring the first 1,000 individuals on their journey to becoming future leaders for environmental and social causes, as he explains: “Each individual will in turn lead the transformation of another 1,000 young leaders through their lives, work and the connections they create.” “I often use the term ‘Power Of Less’. With less we can live better, healthier and more sustainably. By ‘Living with Less’ and making small changes at home, this will greatly impact our lives, and behavioural change starts at home and in schools.” Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi 10 TheMasdarTimes Did you know? Over the last four years, the Sustainable Schools Initiative, a joint Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Education Council programme, has led to a 54% reduction in water consumption and a 23% reduction in school waste per capita among 130 participating institutions. Seventy-two per cent of water used in the UAE comes from groundwater, 21 per cent from desalination and 7 per cent is treated water. Per capita water usage is estimated at 550 litres per person per day, compared to a global national average of 250 litres. Dubai Municipality is working to reduce energy consumption by 50 per cent per year across its 262 buildings, with the launch of an initiative to switch from conventional lighting infrastructure to energy-efficient, LED-based solutions. Al Shohub School in Abu Dhabi has installed a 10-kilowatt wind turbine that will provide energy to help power three science labs at its new Khalifa City A campus. The turbine will also help the school to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 2,400 kilogrammes per annum. The Emirates Energy Star initiative, a joint collaboration between UAEheadquartered Pacific Controls and Etisalat, aims to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings under its remit by 20 per cent, and will scale up the programme to cover several thousand buildings across the UAE by the end of 2014. The UAE is home to the first landfill in the region that runs its entire operation with electricity generated from landfill gas. Dubai Municipality’s waste collection site in Al Ghusais currently Events Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 14-16 April, Dubai, UAE Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has launched the initiative to build a green economy in the UAE under the theme ‘Green Economy for Sustainable Development,’ DEWA is working to realise the vision of His Highness to build a sustainable future for the Emirate of Dubai. To achieve this, everyone at DEWA, from top leadership to its frontline staff, aim to make DEWA become a sustainable world-class utility, and are actively working to achieve this on many different levels. We are implementing a range of initiatives to acquire global best practices in the field of renewable energy and environmentally-friendly technologies as part of our overall strategy to develop a sustainable future for the Emirate of Dubai, for generations to come. www.worldfutureenergysummit.com CityScape 22-24 April 2014, Abu Dhabi, UAE Anchored by the World Future Energy Summit, this is the largest gathering on sustainability in tAbu Dhabi’s only real estate investment and development event opened its doors again on April 16th for the seventh edition of the most significant annual gathering of the real estate professionals and investors. The exhibition, which ran concurrently alongside ecoConstruct expo and Vision 2030 Conference Center, was a huge success with many of the key Abu Dhabi based developers and government entities exhibiting, including Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, Abu Dhabi Education Council, Aldar Properties, Sorouh Real Estate, Mubadala Real Estate & Infrastructure, Al Qudra, TDIC, Reem Island, Reem Investment, Al Maabar and many more. www.cityscapeabudhabi.com UAE Green Festival 16 March – 16 April 2014, UAE The inaugural UAE Green Festival will be a countrywide celebration specifically designed to educate people across the seven emirates about a switching to a new way of life in an enjoyable way. Held under the theme ‘live, learn and have fun in a low-carbon world’, the aim of the festival is to promote the UAE’s sustainable identity as a leading green destination that provides its residents and visitors with a better quality of life. Participants will gain firsthand experience of various aspects of a green life including Green Shopping, Green Art, Green Fitness, EcoBreakfast, Eco-Fashion, and a Green Auto Show. www.uaegreenfestival.com produces one megawatt of electricity, which powers the site offices and area lighting. Officials want to increase this to 20 megawatts by the end of the decade. The Emirates Standardisation and Metrology Authority (ESMA) Energy Rating system grades the energy consumption of household products available across the UAE. The ratings are displayed on labels to help consumers compare models and select the most energy-efficient appliances for their needs. The 4,000-square metre Change Initiative building, which provides sustainable home and lifestyle solutions, has been named the most sustainable commercial building in the world, following LEED Platinum rating by the US Green Building Council. The building achieved 107 points out of a possible 110, beating the previous record-holder, Pixel, in Australia. Over 40 organic farms are now in business across the UAE, growing a range of 62 products including date palms, tomatoes, green beans and other vegetables and fruits. The Ministry of Environment and Water has implemented a comprehensive training programme on the fundamentals of organic farming for the agricultural sector, and is currently working on a strategy for organic farming in the UAE. The UAE’s long-term renewable energy goals are 5% of final energy from renewables by 2030 in Dubai, and 7% of capacity from renewables by 2020 in Abu Dhabi. Sources: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Dubai School of Government, WAM, IRENA, Ministry of Environment & Water Jargon buster Cleantech terminology explained DESERTIFICATION The degradation of land in arid and semi-arid regions, which causes it to become increasingly dry, and where it loses much of its vegetation and bodies of water. This is caused by a variety of factors related to climate change, but also human activities such as the overexploitation of grasses and other plant life. Experts at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are researching ways to increase the organic carbon content of the UAE soil. This would allow for more productive and wider agricultural activity, allowing us to grow more of our own food while removing carbon from the air. It would also help reduce the problem of desertification. Eventually, without the cover of plant life, topsoil that took aeons to produce could be picked up by the wind and cause sandstorms, landslides, and even respiratory infections. The soil that carbon solution researchers are studying will also help contribute to the UAE’s sustainability, waste and land management practices. E-CYCLING The re-use or distribution for re-use of electronic equipment and related components, such as computers, mobile phones and television sets, instead of discarding them at the end of their lifecycle. Interested in e-cycling some of your used electronics? Check out Ecyclex, an e-waste management company based in the UAE. For more information on their services, visit their website at www.ecyclex.com GREEN PURCHASING The buying of goods and services that minimise impact on the environment and are socially responsible. Green purchasing also includes cost considerations, environmental characteristics and the performance of a product through all the relevant stages of its lifecycle from product design, development and production through to product use and the actual handling of the item when it is no longer needed or is ready for disposal. To learn more about green purchasing, pick up a copy of Green Purchasing & Sustainability by Robert Menard. 11 TheMasdarTimes Green gifts Go green in 2014 Book review Start the year with environmental action front of mind and pick up an at-home eco-solution to everyday living, or do your bit for the region’s marine life, and pledge to protect an endangered species. Footsteps of Thesiger By Adrian Hayes; foreword by Sir Ranulph Fiennes It’s in the bag A little green goes a long way with this eco-friendly hamper containing all sorts of goodies ranging from a reusable coffee cup and designer shopping bag to biodegradable sponges, all-purpose surface cleaners, sandwich wrap and household eco reminder stickers. Take the first step to living green yourself: give it as a perfect housewarming gift or surprise an environmentally aware friend. AED 288 Available at www.thegreenecostore.com Adopt a turtle Sign up to support the EWS-WWF Marine Turtle Conservation Project and adopt a turtle. The project is a collaboration between the Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) . By joining the cause, you will help to raise the collective awareness of the turtles’ plight as part of a Gulf-wide, three-year research and satellite-tracking programme. The programme aims to conserve these beautiful but endangered creatures. Your pack includes an adoption certificate, cuddly turtle toy, sticker, photo card with turtle facts and programme brochure. Available at www.thegreenecostore.com AED 155 Renowned British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger spent five years between 1946 and 1950 living in the deserts of Southern Arabia and crossing the legendary Rub al-Khali, or Empty Quarter. Some 65 years later, in 2011, UAE-based British adventurer, business coach and environmental sustainability advocate Adrian Hayes attempted to retrace Thesiger’s footsteps with his own 1,600-kilometre crossing of the desert by camel and foot. Hayes was accompanied by Emiratis Saeed Rashid Al Mesafry and Ghafan Mohammed Al Jabry. The 44-day trek harkened back to a bygone era of outdoor adventure, with the trio authentically recreating Thesiger’s journey, from the use of handheld compasses and a humble diet of dates, rice, flour and water, to welcoming glimpses of local hospitality along the route. This compelling narrative, which also features captivating photographs of the terrain and people who still inhabit this harsh land, brings Thesiger’s original journey and experience of the region’s stunning natural landscape back to life, albeit in a world which has since undergone dramatic change. Available from www.booksarabia.com If you have comments or suggestions, we would like to hear from you, email us at: themasdartimes@masdar.ae AED 288 Got your own favourite green gadget? Drop us a line at themasdartimes@masdar.ae with the details and you could be featured in a future issue. Kid’s corner Colouring fun Quick Quiz Answer the following question and be one of 10 lucky winners to receive a Masdar goody bag! Which of the following can you do to help save our beautifull planet? a.Turn off the water while you brush your teeth b.Ride your bike to school c.Remind your parents to bring re-usable bags when you go grocery shopping d.All of the above Send the answer, along with your name, age and telephone number to: themasdartimes@masdar.ae Environmental Tips for Kids When you help your parents clean up, try to use cloth instead of paper. That way, you can just wash and reuse later. If you want to be really creative, you can even make your own cleaning rags from old T-shirts. Stay connected facebook.com/masdar.ae twitter.com/masdar youtube.com/masdarvideos instagram.com/masdarofficial The Masdar Times is a quarterly publication produced by Masdar’s Marketing and Corporate Communications Unit. 12