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Masdar Institute’s UAE National Students Seek to Create Sustainability-Oriented Future

Over 90 Students to Receive Master’s Degrees in Masdar Institute’s Third Commencement Ceremony for 2013 Class on Wednesday

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 11 June, 2013 – From tackling challenges to the country’s most strategic areas to increasing the sustainable development benefits acquired from clean development mechanism (CDM) projects and developing additional sources for electricity – the UAE national students at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology continue to plan for a future world in which sustainability will be the watchword.

Over the past two years, these Emirati students were getting adequately equipped to face a world plagued with climate change and energy-related challenges. These graduating students totalling more than 90 will receive their Master’s degrees at the commencement ceremony on Wednesday 12 June. The students form the building blocks of a future community that Masdar Institute is developing as part of its mandate to position Abu Dhabi as a knowledge hub and engine for socioeconomic growth.

Aaesha Alnuaimi, a Microsystems Engineering student, focused her research on improving the efficiency of crystalline silicon hetero-junction thin film solar cells. Her research outcome has relevance to Abu Dhabi while contributing to Masdar’s mission. She has realized the need for developing additional sources of electricity that meet the future demand projections and ensure the continued rapid development of the UAE economy.

Alnuaimi says: “From my research, I have gained key insights into understanding solar cells fabrication processes where I have developed and fabricated thin film crystalline silicon solar cells.” The outcome of her research is published through several papers in academic journals and conferences such as Journal of Applied Physics, IEEE PVSC conference and IEEE PV journal.

She adds: “Recycling and turning off lights when they are not needed, conserving water, and using stairs instead of elevators are a few things that I have learned from living in Masdar Institute. They have now become part of my daily life.”

Acknowledging the contribution of her academic advisor Dr. Ammar Nayfeh, she says: “I have become more motivated to contribute to the field of photovoltaic and gain knowledge that will allow me to address challenges and find the best solutions in solar energy.”

Sultan Al Awadhi, a student in Engineering System Management, aims to create a database with 600 registered CDM projects and score those projects in terms of their sustainable development contribution. He believes the outcome of his research will give recommendation to developing countries to attract more CDM projects. Al Awadhi’s research is relevant because it covers Abu Dhabi’s three registered CDM projects.

A flexibility mechanism under the Kyoto protocol, CDM allows emission-reduction projects in developing countries to earn certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2. These CERs can be traded and sold, and used by industrialized countries to a meet a part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto protocol.

According to Al Awadhi, sustainability is not only a science but a way of living. He says: “I have changed into a ‘sustainability ambassador’ within my family and friends after joining Masdar Institute. It has taught me ways to influence my community and to spread the “green knowledge” and I am glad now my influence has reached many people trough social networking platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.”

Another student’s research outcome is expected to help decision-makers in Abu Dhabi choose the best expansion plans to secure water supply in emergencies.

Wael Al Maeeni, is an Engineering Systems and Management student, whose research focuses on the Strategic Water Reserve in Abu Dhabi.

Al Maeeni says: “I did an economic analysis on the optimal development plan. The Strategic Water Reserve will secure water supply for the whole population of Abu Dhabi in case there was an emergency, such as a major breakdown in desalination plants. The study will determine the lifespan of the current capacity of the strategic reserve, in proportion to the current population growth and economic development for formulating the optimal capacity build-up plan.”

That Masdar Institute has inculcated the spirit of ‘sustainable development’ among the students can be apparent through Al Maeeni. He adds: “The way the Institute was engineered and the transportation used in Masdar City taught me that sustainable development depends on my own decisions. Now I would like to own an electric vehicle that will have zero carbon emission, but can be charged using rooftop solar panels installed on my house. I have already started using recycling bins instead of trash cans.”

Al Maeeni participated in the 22nd international INCOSE symposium held from in July 2012 in Rome, to facilitate the opening of the UAE Chapter of International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) and eventually establish its student’s division at Masdar Institute.

He concludes: “Masdar Institute is a highly advanced learning environment with people working around the clock on their research for that rewarding moment.”

Sultan Al Kaabi, a student in Electrical Power Engineering, feels inspired by the research environment at the campus. He says: “This experience motivates me to do further research on renewable energy and contribute to the sustainable development of my country. Of course, the unique and sustainable building architecture of the campus, new labs, PRT system and other special features have provided me with many life-time experiences.”

Al Kaabi’s thesis titled “Distributed Generation Planning and Optimization for Active Distribution Networks” aims to contribute to sustainable development and renewable energy deployment in the UAE. One of his research papers on an effective technique developed in this thesis for the planning and optimization of distributed generation (DG) has been submitted to the IEEE Transaction in Power Systems, one of the top journals in the electrical engineering field, under the area of planning active distribution networks. Another paper targeting the planning of Photovoltaic (PV) power system with smart inverter control will be submitted shortly, he adds.

He is grateful to his academic advisors, the instructors of the Sustainable Energy course and members of the RDS group for his achievements in his thesis. He says: “The project’s outcomes were helpful in establishing my basic understanding of power system planning besides enriching my thesis with useful input on tackling technical challenges of renewable energy integration.”

“Memorable,” says Marwan R. Al Nuaimi, also from the Engineering System Management program about his two years at the campus. His research focused on desalination.

Al Nuaimi adds: “Based on my analysis, the best strategy to satisfy the expected water shortfall is to add six nuclear Sea Water Reserve Osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants, each with 100 MGD capacity. Each will be added as the following schedule – January 2017, January 2019, January 2021, January 2024, January 2026 and January 2028. From my calculations, the net present value cost over the analysis life span is US$2.12 billion.”

Academically, he feels the knowledge gained at Masdar institute will give him the privilege to offer a great value to the society. He adds: “I have become more familiar with the sustainable development knowledge and this enables me to address the sustainable issues from the engineering point of view, rather than a normal person.”

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

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USC Viterbi Offers Summer Program to Masdar Institute’s Emirati Students

Lectures and Field-trips to Focus on Renewable Energy, Sustainable Infrastructure Systems, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 23 June, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced 18 UAE national students will be participating in a two-week summer continuing education program at the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering in the US.

The program that started from 17 June introduces Masdar Institute’s Emirati students to experiential engineering in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure systems, and innovation and entrepreneurship. The curriculum is based on the Master’s degree programs and unique centers specializing in these areas. The group of students left for the US on 16 June.

The continuing education program will include lectures and field-trips to gain exposure to large-scale water and waste management facilities in Southern California, supervised laboratory sessions for learning to use systems dynamics tools to model the carbon footprint of a city such as Abu Dhabi and the region, and a set of lectures and discussion sessions on sustainable infrastructure development and relevant societal considerations.

Exposure to on-going energy and water-related research at USC, workshops on innovation development and small-business opportunities in green technologies, lectures on innovation and entrepreneurship, and shadowing start-ups at the Viterbi Startup Garage in Marina Del Rey, California, are some of the other features of the program.

Yannis C. Yortsos, Dean of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, said: “As one of the world’s leading private research universities, USC Viterbi is delighted to collaborate with Masdar Institute, another research-oriented graduate-level university. The summer continuing education program will offer participants sufficient information on green technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship-building. We hope the students will benefit from our faculty experts, fields trips to technology start-ups and other facilities that incorporate renewable energy technologies.”

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Dean of Students, Masdar Institute, said: “The collaboration with University of Southern California for the continuing education program reflects another aspect of our commitment to offer diversified training opportunities to our UAE national students. This initiative also bears testimony to the UAE leadership’s keenness to build knowledge capital and expand the entrepreneurial talent base to tackle clean energy challenges. We hope these Emirati students will gain fresh expertise and utilize the newly acquired skills in entrepreneurship and research, and contribute to the community.”

Under experiential training, students will spend a full day shadowing 20 entrepreneurs and their start-ups through the Viterbi Startup Garage, an early-stage technology accelerator. Located in Marina Del Rey in California and part of what is known as the ‘Silicon Beach’, the students will experience first-hand the challenges and opportunities faced by engineering entrepreneurs.

Prior to the departure, selected students attended orientation sessions that offered an overview of the academic program as well as additional information on various features.

Following completion of the program at USC Viterbi, the UAE student group will travel to Golden Colorado to visit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Engineering Studies began at the University of Southern California in 1905. Nearly a century later, the Viterbi School of Engineering received a naming gift in 2004 from alumnus Andrew J. Viterbi, inventor of the Viterbi algorithm now key to cell phone technology and numerous data applications. Consistently ranked among the top graduate programs in the world, the school enrolls more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students, taught by 177 tenured and tenure-track faculty, with 60 endowed chairs and professorships.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

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Week-Long ‘Ektashif’ Outreach Program at Masdar Institute Concludes

22 Emirati Undergraduates Enthusiastically Participate in Action Labs, Organized Tours, Lectures, Presentations and Team-Building Activities

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 09 July, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced that 22 UAE national undergraduates have successfully concluded their week-long hands-on lab experience under the second annual ‘Ektashif’ outreach program.

In the presence of the Mr. Hamza Kazim, Vice President, Operations & Finance, Dr Kenneth Volk, Outreach Manager, awarded certificates of participation to students during a special ceremony held at the Masdar Institute campus. The residential program brought together talented UAE undergraduate engineering and science students to discover and learn about renewable energy, sustainability and the environment in the research-oriented atmosphere of Masdar Institute.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The second annual ‘Ektashif’ outreach program proved to be a rich and rewarding experience for the UAE national undergraduates. Participants were enthusiastically involved in the action labs, organized tours, lectures, presentations and team-building activities. The support from the country’s leadership has enabled us to offer students a wide spectrum of programs and helped them enhance their innovative skills. We hope they will apply their new skills towards better academic performance as well as for adopting the sustainability concept in future.”

A wide spectrum of workshops were offered to the participants. An eight-member team of research engineers, post-doctoral researchers and PhD students headed by Dr. Imen Gherboudj, Research Associate, coordinated a workshop on the Earth Observation Lab and its activities. Nafeez Bin Taher, Lab Instructor, offered an ‘Introduction to Digital Electronics’ at a workshop on the basics of combinatorial logic circuits, while Dr Iyad Rahwan, Professor of Computing & Information Science, and Aamena Al Shamsi, PhD student, led a workshop on Data Mining.

Dr Isam Janajreh, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, conducted two lab activities and discussed pathways for converting waste into an added value product, while Dr I-Tsung Tsai, Professor of Engineering Systems & Management, led a workshop on the design of sustainable energy policy for complex energy economic systems and the financial strategies to promote clean tech investment.

Participants monitored the deformation of a model structure using optical fibers under the guidance of Dr Marcus Dahlem, Professor of Microsystems Engineering, and Dr Jaime Viegas, Professor of Microsystems Engineering, while Mike Tiner, Manager of the Fabrication and Microscopy Facilities, joined Dr Mustapha Jouiad, Analytical Instructor, Laboratories, to introduce participants to the optical microscope station and the electron microscopes.

‘Implementation of Buck and Boost DC-DC converters’, one of the applications of ‘power electronics’, was introduced by Professor Dr Vinod Khadkikar, Electrical Power Engineering program, and Parag Kanjiya, Research Engineer. At the Microbial Environmental and Chemical Engineering Laboratory (MECEL), Dr Hector Hernandez, Professor of Chemical Engineering, elaborated on applying biotechnology tools and engineering principles to address challenges facing society in the areas of energy, climate change, as well as the effects of environmental change and invasive species on ecosystem health.

Among the presentations, Dr Viegas highlighted ‘Lasers, How They Work and What We Can Do With Them and Their Role in the 21st Century’. Ahmed Al Harethi, a Chemical Engineering graduate, and Sultan Al Awadhi, an Engineering Systems and Management graduate and a Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) member, discussed their MSc research, as well as their experiences at Masdar Institute.

Kevin Garvey, Lecturer, presented ways to define and describe key principles required to establish and support an effective research argument, while Lecturers Bridie Farah and Glenda El Gamal guided the students on writing effective literature reviews and offered tips on avoiding the pitfalls of plagiarism through the proper use of citations, paraphrasing, and organization in their research communication.

The program also included a site tour of Emirates Aluminum Company (EMAL) facilities at Taweelah.

Lecturer Farah found the students ‘bright and highly motivated’, while Dr Tsai termed them ‘energetic and enthusiastic in finding solutions to sustainable development’. Dr Viegas observed that the students had ‘curious minds and strong interest in engaging on advanced technological topics that are part of Masdar Institute research foci’.

Garvey, who held the lector titled ‘Academic Communication, Critical Thinking and Research Methodology’, said: “The aptitude and enthusiasm demonstrated by the Ektashif group during my workshop on The Development of Academic Argument was highly encouraging. I would be delighted to welcome these young students to Masdar Institute as pioneers in a field they clearly are well suited to.”

Mariam Ahmed Al Dhaheri, Mechanical Engineering student at UAEU, said, “This was my first time at Masdar Institute and I am pleased to be part of this amazing program,asit left a deep and positive impact on me. The hands-on lab sessions were remarkable, and seeing some of the unique devices that we don’t usually see in our universities gave me a much broader view on what people are capable of when they go for research in my own country and that made me proud and motivated to be part of it. What I find very impressive about the faculty at Masdar Institute is that each one of them is so enthusiastic and passionate about what they are doing. That gave me positive energy throughout the whole day and showed me the right attitude one must have toward work, colleagues and students. The encouraging environment and faculty made me consider Masdar Institute for my master’s studies. And most importantly I want to make my country and leaders proud, as they have provided us with facilities to be productive and serve this beloved country.”

Ohoud S. ALZahmi, Civil Engineering student at UAEU, said, “I am proud to be one of the members of the Ektashif Program. I’m proud to have these great technologies, machines, staff, instructors, and professors in my country. I was lucky to see and participate in the labs and lectures there. I enjoyed my journey of discovery there. I will share the experience with my family and friends. Hopefully I can shine in Masdar Institute’s sky after I graduate from UAEU.”

Maryam Rashed AlMazrouei, Chemical Engineering student at UAEU, said, “I always wondered what was happening up there in Masdar Institute and I really wanted to discover it. Ektashif program gave me that chance, and it was one of the best experiences I ever had. I learnt new things about lasers, electronics, biofuel and other technologies. Going deeply in the nano scale was amazing. The topics were important and the presented material was sufficient. Everyone has potential and can make it to the top by dedication and hard working.”

A residential program, Ektashif seeks to bring together talented UAE undergraduate engineering and science students to discover and learn about renewable energy, sustainability and the environment.    It also aims to encourage students to consider taking research and innovation in clean energy and sustainability beyond the campus into the wider community.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

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Nobel Laureate Dalai Lama Commends Members of Masdar Institute’s YFEL Program

YFEL Members and 6 Ladakhi Students Gather in Leh for 8-Day Workshop on ‘Energy Access, Ethics and Development’ in India

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 10 September, 2013 – Nobel Laureate Dalai Lama has commended members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL), an outreach program by Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, for their global commitment to spreading awareness on sustainable technologies and living.

The 14th Dalai Lama met with the eight YFEL members who were in India as part of an eight-day workshop on ‘Energy Access, Ethics and Development’ jointly organized by YFEL, the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT and the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in Leh, India. The YFEL members gathered in Leh to learn about energy systems, micro-grid design with community participation, and social entrepreneurship as part of the course that aims to turn them into future leaders in expanding energy access. A total of six Ladakhi participants from various institutions and organizations were also part of the program that began on 18 August.

The Dalai Lama welcomed the YFEL members on the first day of their stay in India and appreciated their enthusiastic activities in the far northern Himalayan region. They were accompanied by Tenzin Priyadarshi, Director of The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values, MIT. The Dalai Lama, who travels across the globe to propagate the ideals of sustainability, is outspoken in his concerns about environmental challenges and frequently focuses on themes related to the preservation of natural resources.

YFEL members, with Dr Ken Volk, Head of Outreach, Masdar Institute, visited nearby areas of interest including the Saspol village, some caves with 1,000-year old Buddhist temples, and a recently-opened hydroelectric plant. They also went trekking near the SECMOL building.

The Ladakhi participants were made up of young students and graduates from various organizations and academic institutions such as SECMOL, Jammu University, Industrial Training Institute in Leh, and Thapar University in Patiala. They joined the YFEL members in learning how to design energy-efficient systems and formulating socio-development measures with a particular focus on Ladakhi communities. Through a combination of lecture-based content and hands-on group projects, the course emphasized effective sustainable programs that help economic development in rural and remote communities.

Other Masdar Institute faculty and officials visiting India included Dr. Scott Kennedy, Dean of Research, Dr. Vinod Khadkikar, Assistant Professor in the Electrical Power Engineering program, and Ayu Abdullah, Program Teaching Assistant.

YFEL member Mohammad Abdulaziz Al Jasmi, an Electrical Engineer and UAE University Graduate, said: “The meeting with the Dalai Lama was truly remarkable as the Nobel Laureate welcomed us and answered our queries with interest. We were honored and felt grateful for the unique opportunity to meet the Tibetan leader. He also appreciated YFEL’s contribution to the local community’s development through our program.”

Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach program, 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. It also aims to bring young professionals closer to government representatives, business leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.

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Shrimp shells are the salvation for the UAE’s water sources

By Dr Simo Pehkonen, professor of chemical engineering

Our modern life has a detrimental effect on the environment, and subsequently our own health. Industrial production, mining and farming can all leave behind materials and substances that can come back to harm us.

One of the most toxic metals in the environment is cadmium, which can cause damage to human kidneys, lungs and bones and is the cause of conditions such as the painful itai-itai – Japanese for “it hurts, it hurts” – disease.

Though found in nature, cadmium is most commonly left behind in dangerous concentrations by certain industries and processes, including mining, production of batteries, fertilisers and pigments, foundry industries, municipal waste and sewage sludge.

The Arabian Gulf region is not a stranger to this toxin, with a number of fish species found to have dangerous levels in their systems.
Finding ways to remove cadmium from an environment is obviously of benefit and interest. It is for that reason that a team at the Masdar Institute is looking at a natural and sustainable material that has the potential to collect it for removal.

This material is chitosan, derived from the chitin, a protein found in the shells of crustacea such as shrimp and crabs.
By treating chitosan with molecular anchoring groups, in this instance carboxylate groups, we can change the surface of the chitosan to make it stick to loose cadmium molecules.

When polluted water is treated with this special chitosan, the loose cadmium binds to the chitosan and gets trapped. The chitosan can then be filtered out, taking the poison with it and leaving clean water behind.

The cadmium can later be washed out of the chitosan, leaving behind two separate materials that both have further uses. The chitosan can be reused to remove more cadmium, while the resulting cadmium can be sold on. Not only have we removed a dangerous pollutant that would otherwise end up in our groundwater, our soil and the Gulf, but in doing so we have produced a commercially valuable product.

The Gulf is particularly vulnerable because it is shallow – just 30 metres at its greatest depth – with a high rate of absorption of heavy metal ions, such as cadmium, into various fish species and other human food sources living in the sea.

We in the UAE rely on the Gulf to provide the water we desalinate and then use in our homes. It is also where some of the seafood we consume comes from.
Cadmium can build up and become concentrated in fish and shellfish, making it unhealthy to eat. By providing industries with ways of removing cadmium from their outflows, and providing another layer to sewage treatment, we can help ensure the Gulf and all of us who rely on its water and marine life are healthier.

The country’s aquaculture sector – artificial farms for shrimp and open-sea fishing – is a critical part of the economy, food security and future progress of the country. Using the waste from shrimp production to develop a much-needed source of pollution removal can turn a waste product into a wealth source. It is our hope that with this research project and others, we can help the UAE diversify its economy, safeguard the health of its public and improve the environment.

Dr. Simo Pehkonen is a professor of chemical engineering at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology

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11 Select Members of Masdar Institute’s YFEL Program to Attend 22nd World Energy Congress in South Korea

Specially Selected YFEL Members to Interact with Global Leaders and Attend Sessions Addressed by UAE Minister and Senior Officials

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 10 October, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced 11 select members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program will participate in the World Energy Congress in South Korea.

The 22nd World Energy Congress will be held from 13 – 17 October 2013 in Daegu, under the theme ‘Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today’. More than 250 speakers, including over 50 ministers from nearly 70 countries will be participating in this premier global energy forum. The event is hosted by the World Energy Council (WEC) and the WEC Korean Member Committee. The YFEL members, chosen through a competition titled ‘Xylem: Let’s Solve Water’, will engage and interact with government ministers, chief executives and experts from around the world during the event in South Korea.

The 11 specially chosen YFEL members – seven UAE nationals and four international members – were chosen by a panel of judges that included YFEL officials, Masdar Institute faculty and senior management team from Masdar. The YFEL members focused their case study presentation on ‘links between water and energy’, ‘impact of climate change on water’, ‘supply and demand challenges in the UAE’ and ‘water policy and investments’. They were assessed on their general understanding of the subject, the current scenario in the UAE and recommendations for tackling the challenges.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The World Energy Congress in Daegu offers a unique opportunity for participants to better understand energy issues and find solutions from a global perspective. With the support of the UAE leadership, the YFEL members continue to participate in global forums, learning about key issues, especially in finding solutions to support secure, affordable, and environmentally sensitive energy. We hope the Daegu event will help widen their knowledge in identifying current challenges and ways to tackle them for a better future.”

At the World Energy Congress in Daegu, the select YFEL members will be attending the opening ceremony, keynote addresses and relevant sessions. More specifically, they will attend sessions that will be addressed by His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy; His Excellency Dr. Matar Al Neyadi, Undersecretary, UAE Ministry of Energy; Dr. Saif Al Sayari, Vice-President for Operations, Technology and Innovations, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa); Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC); and Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Director, Directorate of Energy and Climate Change at UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Additionally, the YFEL members will be present at the UAE pavilion that will have booths set up by Mubadala Development Company and Masdar. They will also attend the welcome reception to network with leading figures in the global energy sector, including representatives from WEC member states, energy executives, as well as officials from government, international organizations and NGOs. Overall, the event sets the stage for YFEL members to expand their scope of knowledge about the energy industry.

Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach program, 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. It also aims to bring young professionals closer to government representatives, business leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.

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Over 30 Librarians from GCC and Turkey Convene for ‘UAE eFada’ Summit in Abu Dhabi

Discussions Focus on Global Best Practices Relevant for Regional Adoption at Event Hosted by Masdar Institute and Springer Science

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 01 October, 2013 – More than 30 library directors from across the UAE, other GCC countries and Turkey convened for a one-day summit in Abu Dhabi to discuss ways to adopt global best practices in the print and e-resources sector relevant to the region.

Organized jointly by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, and Springer Science + Business Media, the summit was themed ‘UAE eFada’. Held at the Masdar Institute campus, the summit aimed to build and start a library consortium in the UAE.

Officials from leading libraries across the GCC and Turkey focused on issues including sharing of electronic information resources, library services marketing, and challenges faced by academic libraries. Keynote speakers included Dr. Bandar Al Mubarak, Saudi Digital Library (SDL), and Dr. Ertugrul Cimen, Anatolian University Libraries Consortium (ANKOS).

ANKOS has 170 member universities and research institutes and a team of 50 volunteer librarians, while SDL has 24 partner institutions. With a rich library tradition going back several centuries, Turkey that established the first printing house in the year 1729 has a wealth of manuscripts and scrolls. Library services are also being provided by 59 mobile libraries to 763 areas in 81 provinces across Turkey.

One of the largest in the Arab world, the SDL that was launched in November 2010 holds more than 114,000 e-Books and reference works, spanning various academic disciplines. All 114,000 volumes are available in both full text and multimedia formats.

Dr. Abdulla Al Hefeiti, Library Director, Masdar Institute, said: “With their emphasis on education, the UAE’s leadership continues to provide resources required for knowledge and human capital development. The hosting of ‘UAE eFada’ in collaboration with Springer in Abu Dhabi was an example of this commitment. The meeting of librarians from the GCC and Turkey proved to be a productive forum for discussing challenges faced by today’s digital-era libraries. We hope the sharing of experience helped librarians to learn from each other.”

During the summit, Dr. Abdulla highlighted the library services offered at Masdar Institute and the ties with other academic libraries in the UAE. The services and collections aim to support the Masdar Institute community of faculty, researchers, students, and administrates. Requests for accessing the e-resources are also accepted from external researchers and postgraduates students.

A UAE-led project, ‘eFada’ is a consortium of libraries under the umbrella of Ankabut, the UAE’s Advanced Network for Research and Education. It is expected to offer all students and faculty in the country access to large electronic resources collection through a single platform.

Springer Science + Business Media is a leading global scientific, technical and medical publisher, providing researchers in academia, scientific institutions and corporate R & D departments with quality content via innovative information products and services. It also hosts a number of scientific databases, including SpringerLink, SpringerProtocols and SpringerImages. Book publications include major reference works, textbooks, monographs and book series, as well as more than 37,000 titles as e-books in 13 subject collections.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

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UAE Energy Minister Commends YFEL Members for Projecting Country’s Capabilities to Global Energy Leaders in Daegu

Members of Masdar Institute’s YFEL Program Visit Environmental, Technology, Cultural and Historical Sites in South Korea

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 21 October, 2013 – His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, commended members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program for projecting the UAE’s capabilities to the global energy industry leaders in Daegu in South Korea.

A team of 11 members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program, an outreach initiative of Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, were participating in the 22nd World Energy Congress that was held from 13 – 17 October 2013 in Daegu. His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei met the YFEL members during his visit to the UAE pavilion that had booths set up by Mubadala Development Company and Masdar.

During the World Energy Congress in Daegu, YFEL members also visited various places of environmental, technology, cultural and historical interests in South Korea.

The YFEL members visited some of the landmark destinations including the 9.5-meter tall and 580-meter long cruise ship-shaped Dalseong Weir, the research-oriented university Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), the Daegu National Industrial Park project that is coming up in 8.5-million square meter area, and the historic Dodong Seowon Confucian Academy.

Similar to Masdar Institute, the DGIST aims to foster high-quality manpower in science and technology while promoting cutting-edge scientific research and studies supported by the government. The YFEL members learnt about Dalseong Weir’s environment-friendly features including the special paths created for the dyke and the eco-district and how DGIST is leading innovation in new science in South Korea.

The YFEL members’ visits were part of their annual activities that include gaining exposure to researchers at renowned institutions that drive innovation. The visits also offered YFEL members an opportunity to share their ideas in advanced energy and sustainability with their peers as well as with industry, government and academic leaders.

Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach program, 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. It also aims to bring young professionals closer to government representatives, business leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.

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Masdar and Masdar Institute join ‘UAE Flag Day’ campaign

Abu Dhabi, UAE 6 November 2013: HE Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, and Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, joined the staff of Masdar, as well as the faculty, staff and students of Masdar Institute for the ‘UAE Flag Day’ campaign that coincided with the anniversary of the accession of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the UAE.

At noon, a massive UAE National flag was unfurled by students near the Knowledge Center while another flag was hoisted on the Wind Tower. Others joined in, holding their flags aloft, and expressing their pride in the spirit of national unity. Participants also expressed gratitude to the UAE leadership’s vision that has ensured economic prosperity.

The Flag Day campaign, celebrated by citizens and expats at various places across the UAE, is a reflection of patriotism and loyalty to the country and the leadership.

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Board of Trustees Annual Meeting Reviews Masdar Institute’s Next Phase Growth Plan

 New Academic Departments, Fresh Collaborations, Higher Number of Graduates and Increase in Enrollments Mark 2013

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 12 November, 2013 – The Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, reviewed the progress of the research-based institution during an annual meeting and approved its next phase growth strategy for the coming years.


His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute.

The members of the Board of Trustees include His Highness Sheikh Diab bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development; His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Bawardi, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Executive Committee; His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and CEO of the Mubadala Development Company; His Excellency Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of Masdar; His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC); His Excellency Dr. Adnan Badran, President of Petra University and Deputy Director-General of UNESCO; Dr Rafael Reif, President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute;  and Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “Masdar Institute has grown tremendously over the past year and has achieved several milestones, including the establishment of various research partnerships with the public and private sector. The research-based institution’s contribution remains consistent with its mission and in line with the directives of our wise leadership’s economic ambitions. With the support of the Board of Trustees, we are confident Masdar Institute will further support the UAE’s capacity building efforts and help position Abu Dhabi as a global clean-energy technology leader.”

The graduation of nearly 90 Master’s students of Class 2013 marked one of the most significant moments during the year. The group was also the largest in a single year from Masdar Institute so far. At the same time, the Fall 2013 new student enrollments increased to 203, taking the current total number of students to 417, representing 58 countries. The number of UAE nationals has increased by more than 15% compared to last year. However, the most important strategic development came during the new academic year that witnessed the regrouping of the eight academic programs under four departments. The new initiative aims to lay the ground for the institution’s transition to the next stage of growth in the coming years.

In his annual report to the Board of Trustees, Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh said: “The year marked a strong impetus towards our transition to the next stage. Every academic institution reaches a threshold from where it has to elevate its projections, raise excellence standards and widen its academic offerings. During 2013 we have begun the process and as guided and supported by the UAE’s leadership and the Board of Trustees we are firmly progressing on our way forward. We hope to achieve more milestones in the coming years.”

One of the most important innovations was announced in February 2013 when two faculty members achieved a pioneering breakthrough in developing a novel membrane that can operate in an ‘in-situ’ cleaning system for desalination purposes. A patent application was then filed for the new system that is considered superior to other existing techniques. Masdar Institute currently has one approved patent with 20 patent applications pending. These are in addition to papers in 375 peer-reviewed journals, 196 conference proceedings, 19 book chapters, two full books and one trade publication.

In technology-related achievements, three students successfully completed a semiconductor chip design using GLOBALFOUNDRIES 65nm process, the first GLOBALFOUNDRIES tape-out from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Owned by the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), GLOBALFOUNDRIES is collaborating with Masdar Institute, having granted access to leading-edge technology platform for researchers and students. Moreover, researchers have also placed the UAE on the global map of printed organic optoelectronics, by commencing projects in organic photodetectors including solar cells and photodiodes.

Locally and regionally, Masdar Institute hosted several events and announced various partnerships. A collaboration project with Bayanat for Mapping and Surveying Services, a Mubadala company, focused on developing water quality monitoring tools in the Arabian Gulf, using the satellite receiving station at the research-based institution. At the same time, Masdar Institute entered into a collaborative research project with Tawazun Economic Council, which is mandated to oversee implementation of the UAE Tawazun Economic Program, to focus on land systems and advanced materials. A scholarship agreement with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) ensures sharing of knowledge, expertise and technology as well as capacity building in the UAE.

Globally, the year also witnessed fresh partnerships in addition to productive yields from existing research collaborations. Masdar Institute became an affiliate of the US-based Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis (JISEA) to collaborate in three areas – water-energy nexus, clean energy policy with focus on the Middle East/North Africa region, and energy access in developing countries.

An academic collaboration with University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering in the US resulted in 18 UAE national students participating in a two-week summer continuing education program. The focus areas included experiential engineering in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure systems, and innovation and entrepreneurship.

Among global-level conferences, Masdar Institute and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) jointly organized a two-day expert group meeting (EGM) on carbon capture and storage (CCS). More than 50 international experts gathered at the campus for the event that was titled ‘Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage in ESCWA Member States: Enhancing the Sustainability of the Energy System in a Carbon Constrained Development Context’.

Also, more than 200 distinguished speakers, panelists, and invited guests, whose diversity mirrors the complex ecosystem for innovation, participated in the ‘UAE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum 2013’ that was held in Abu Dhabi. The event was jointly organized by Masdar Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

During the year, Masdar Institute further intensified engagement with its stakeholders. High-ranking officials from Mubadala entities including Suhail Mahmood Al Ansari, Executive Director, Mubadala Healthcare, Maurizio La Noce, Chief Executive Officer, Mubadala Petroleum, and Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi, Executive Director, Mubadala Industry, shared their expertise with students and faculty. Several experts including Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares, a philanthropic organization, Dr. Sandro Tedde, Senior Key Expert Research Scientist, Siemens AG, and Dr. Tomas Svitek, CEO of Stellar Exploration, also shared their experiences with the Masdar Institute community. The Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship program and the IRENA Scholarship programs continue to benefit students.

Also, Masdar Institute received accreditation for its Ph.D. program from UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The total number of faculty rose to 82, representing more than 30 countries. The number of accomplishments registered by the research-based institution’s faculty continued to show an uptrend during the year.

The annual accomplishments were acknowledged by the members of the Board of Trustees who urged Masdar Institute to further intensify research in areas that are strategically relevant to the UAE and the region. They also complemented the Masdar Institute community for consistently contributing to knowledge and human capital development in the fields of clean energy and advanced technology research.

Among the outreach initiatives, members of the 2012 Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program successfully completed their annual program and received their certificates during a ceremony in January 2013. Some YFEL members, who are also students of Masdar Institute, took up new projects and initiatives during their year-long activities. A 10-day intensive field-based course for YFEL members in India’s far-northern Ladakh region earlier this year proved extremely effective in designing and implementing energy projects that can make remote rural areas self-sufficient. YFEL members also projected the capabilities of the UAE at the World Energy Congress 2013 in Daegu in South Korea, making the country a strong contender to be named the venue for the next congress.

While UAE national graduate students enthusiastically participated in the research-based summer internship program, seven students spent their summer in Japan under an eight-week internship program organized by the Japan International Co-operation Center (JICE). Ektashif, a residential program targeting UAE students, received an enthusiastic response with the participation of 22 Emirati undergraduate students.

Dr. Moavenzadeh concluded: “The increasing contribution to knowledge development, higher number of invention disclosures and widening engagement with stakeholders on strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship will continue in the coming year. As our involvement in more knowledge-intensive sectors intensifies, our collaborations and partnerships will similarly expand, contributing further to making Abu Dhabi a clean energy hub.”

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

Established as an ongoing collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

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Masdar Institute Receives MESA 2013 ‘Technology’ Award for UAE Solar Atla

Industry Recognition Acknowledges Contributions by IRENA, Masdar Institute’s ReCREMA and Other Stakeholders

Abu Dhabi-UAE:  21 November, 2013 – The ‘UAE Solar Atlas’ developed by the Research Center for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment (ReCREMA) at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in collaboration with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), has received the “Technology of The Year” award from the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA).

The UAE Solar Atlas project was declared winner in the ‘Technology’ category from among three shortlisted finalists at the second annual Middle East Solar Awards (MESA). The award was presented to Dr. Hosni Ghedira, Director, ReCREMA at a gala ceremony that was held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Abu Dhabi. The Middle East Solar Awards acknowledge and celebrate exceptional talent and achievements in the solar sector in the MENA region.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The MESA 2013 Technology Award for the UAE Solar Atlas strongly indicates the extent of advanced technology tools and the special expertise available at Masdar Institute for a project of this magnitude. With the help of the country’s leadership, we have created resources that will continue to benefit the global community in identifying clean energy project sites for dynamic investments. All stakeholders including our faculty and staff deserve to be commended for this industry recognition.”

Dr Steve Griffiths, member of the MESIA Board of Directors, said: “The UAE Solar Atlas project was selected as the winner for its technological contributions to advancing the state of solar power in the region and the technical expertise provided from ReCREMA at Masdar Institute. As an industry organization that represents our stakeholders in the region, MESIA aims to acknowledge and reward the most remarkable technology developments in the solar arena. We congratulate Masdar Institute and the professionals behind the UAE Solar Atlas project for winning this award.”

A robust satellite-based solar mapping tool developed and validated by Masdar Institute scientists at ReCREMA was utilized for producing hourly/daily/yearly of three solar irradiance maps for the UAE Solar Atlas that is part of IRENA’s Global Atlas.

Dr. Hosni 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. The entire team at Masdar Institute’s ReCREMA deserves to be honored for this industry recognition. We are also grateful to all the stakeholders for their support in making the UAE Solar Atlas project a remarkable technological feat.”

Commissioned officially 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 that was developed by IRENA. Masdar Institute was mandated to develop the UAE solar and wind energy resource maps, in addition to developing regional knowledge and leadership in renewable energy assessment and mapping for the Arabian Peninsula and countries with similar climate, mainly in Africa.

Officially launched in April 2012, ReCREMA at Masdar Institute 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.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs played a prominent role in initiating the national contribution to the IRENA Global Atlas project. Other local stakeholders in the project include the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), UAE National Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) and Masdar Clean Energy.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

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Workshop at Masdar Institute Highlights GCC’s Uptake of Clean Energy Solutions

Over 35 Experts Attend EU-GCC Event Organized by Masdar Institute, GRC and Greece’s National Technical University of Athens (ICCS-NTUA)

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 05 December, 2013 – More than 35 high-ranking delegates from the European Union (EU) and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries analyzed the multiple initiatives launched by the GCC countries for improving the uptake of clean energy solutions and the EU’s ambitious targets and actions for reduction of emissions by 2050, at a workshop’ in the UAE.

Hosted by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi, the ‘EU-GCC Renewable Energy Policy Experts’ Workshop was organized by the Decision Support Systems Lab at the National Technical University of Athens (EPU-NTUA, of ICCS), in cooperation with the Gulf Research Center (GRC) and Masdar Institute. The workshop was part of the EU-funded public diplomacy project on “Promoting Deeper EU-GCC Relations” and was actively endorsed by the “EU-GCC Clean Energy Network”, an initiative created jointly by the EU and the GCC to catalyze cooperation among the two regions on clean energy topics of common interest.

Each of the five sessions was introduced with a background paper followed by moderated discussion among the participants. Select experts who contributed to the high-level discussions included academics and specialists, members of various research institutes and policy officials from both the EU and the GCC regions. A publication presenting the session papers and policy recommendations for EU-GCC renewable energy policy cooperation will be produced at the end of 2013.

Mr. Hamza Kazim, Vice-President, Finance & Operations, Masdar Institute, welcomed the gathering while Dr Mihai Stuparu, Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation in the UAE, offered a high-level address on promoting ‘EU-GCC Energy Relations’. Prof. John Psarras, Institute of Computers Communications Systems (ICCS-NTUA), EU-GCC Clean Energy Network, addressed the gathering on ‘existing co-operation synergies and initiatives’.

Mr. Hamza Kazim said: “The discussions at the workshop reflect the GCC region’s strong expertise in clean energy with suitably trained professionals to implement current projects and take the industry forward. The Masdar initiative and locating IRENA in Abu Dhabi strongly reflect the region’s edge in the special skill base and we believe the industry will gain additional strength in the coming years. We hope the workshop helped to facilitate further cooperation between the EU and GCC regions.”

Delegates at the event discussed the potential for cooperation in the promotion of clean energy at high policy level. The talks encompassed both opportunities for bilateral agreements in various areas as well as exploration of common positions with respect to negotiations in multilateral forums. The Abu Dhabi workshop also comes on the heels of a report by the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) that has indicated 75GW of renewable energy projects worth US$200 billion are already in the pipeline, making the region a global power player in the sector.

The workshop was divided into five sessions. The session on ‘EU-GCC energy policy co-operation in the field of Renewables: Status and Prospects’ was chaired by Dr. Toufic Mezher, Professor – Engineering Systems and Management, Masdar Institute. The keynote/paper presentation titled ‘EU-GCC renewable energy policy co-operation: Exploring opportunities’ during this session was analyzed by Dr Rabia Ferroukhi, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Dr Haris Doukas, NTUA, Greece, Dr Andrea Masini,  HEC Paris, France.

The session on ‘Promoting co-operation on Energy Efficiency & Demand Side Management’ was chaired by Dr Hanan Al-Buflasa, Asst. Professor, University of Bahrain, and included a keynote/paper presentation on ‘Investigating DSM solutions’ applicability in the GCC environment’ by Dr Afshin Afshari, Professor of Practice – Engineering Systems & Management, Masdar Institute, Prof. John Psarras, NTUA, Greece, and Dr George Anastassopoulos, Greek Energy Services Company (GRESCO).

The session on ‘EU-GCC co-operation for integration of Renewables in the Grid’ was chaired by Dr Kostas Perrakis, Electricity Networks Coordinator, Regulatory Authority for Energy, Greece.  The keynote/paper presentation for this session titled ‘Challenges Facing Grid Integration of Renewable Energies for the GCC Region’ was offered by Prof. Adel Gastli, Kahramaa-Siemens Chair in Energy Efficiency, Qatar University, and Javier San Miguel Armendariz, from CENER (Spain).

Dr Panagiotis Chaviaropoulos, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES), Greece, chaired the second day’s session on ‘EU-GCC co-operation potential in the field of Renewables: Technology and Research perspective’. Dr. Matteo Chiesa, Associate Professor – Mechanical Engineering / Materials Science and Engineering, Masdar Institute, and Juergen Kern, Institute of Technical Thermodynamics (DLR), Germany, delivered the keynote/paper presentation titled ‘Renewable Energy Sources Research & Development prospects and opportunities for EU-GCC cooperation’.

The concluding session on ‘Promoting EU GCC co-operation on Water and Power generation’
was chaired by Prof. Andreas Poullikkas, American University of Sharjah and the key note/paper presentation titled ‘Opportunities for Operations Management & Planning of the Energy-Water NEXUS’ was offered by  Dr.  Amro Farid, Assistant Professor – Engineering Systems and Management. Masdar Institute.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.