Mohamed bin Zayed Visits Masdar and the Masdar Institute for a Progress Update on local and International Activities
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 20 October, 2011 – Under the leadership of President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, the UAE has become a global hub for renewable energy and clean technology innovation and development, stated His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
His Highness explained that this is a direct result of the President’s far reaching vision of ensuring the development of a diversified energy mix that will in turn meet the requirements of the UAE’s social and economic growth thus ensuring a bright future for generations to come.
During his visit, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser and Vice Chairman of the Executive Council. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed emphasized the importance of Masdar’s function, through both its international and local projects, as a national long term, strategic initiative aiming at developing and implimenting renewable energy solutions to answer to growing energy demands. He commended Masdar for achieving great successes in a short period of time stressing this as proof that the company is on the right track and achieving steady progress. His Highness emphasized that the UAE has been supplying energy, and therefore, has contributed to the growth of the global economy for over five decades. He added that the UAE plans on continuing this commitment and responsibility as major energy supplier by developing its renewable energy sector to keep up with increasing growth in energy demand and protect the environment.
His highness also asserted the need to ensure energy security through a adopting a country relevant energy mix and adopting a holistic approach that aims at helping achieving energy diversification, knowledge transfer and transforming the UAE from a technology importer into a technology development and export partner globally.
During his visit, he also highlighted the UAE’s steadfast and unwavering approach to adopting sustainable development practices that will ensure the nation’s welfare, while making certain that the UAE safeguard its natural resources and ensures a bright future for its next generations.
His Highness also expressed his goal to encourage organizations, institutions and all members of community projects to shift towards renewable energy technologies and clean energy solutions in order to further the use of these solutions and innovations to ensure the preservations of environment and contribute to reducing the impact on climate change.
His Highness also emphasized the importance of nurturing the national talent and growing national capabilities in the development and implementation of renewable energy technologies in the UAE. He highlighted the strides that have been taken by Abu Dhabi in transitioning to a knowledge-based economy by encouraging investments in R&D within strategic economic sectors – with renewable energy, clean technology and sustainable development at the forefront.
His Highness made his comments at an official tour of Masdar City and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. He was accompanied by His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan Chairman of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Bawardi, Secretary General, Abu Dhabi Executive Council, His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, Executive Affairs Authority, His Excellency Dr Ahmed Mubarak Ali Al Mazrouei, Deputy Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), HE Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Department of Finance, His Excellency Nasser Ahmed Al Sowaidi, Chairman of Department of Economic Development, His Excellency Majid Ali Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs, His Excellency Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazroui, Undersecretary to the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, H.E Engineer Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Board of the Institue of Applied Technology, H.E. Khaled Bin Shaiban, the Director General of the General Secretariat of the Executive Council, His Excellency Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Chief Operating Officer of Mubadala, His Excellency Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of Masdar, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of Khalifa University, Dr Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Director General of the Institute of Applied Technology, and members of a high-level delegation. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive of the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), updated His Highness on the progress of the pioneering programs and projects that the company plans to develop both in the UAE and globally.
At the onset of the tour, His Highness the Crown Prince, accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Hazaa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, boarded the Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) System, a zero emission, driverless transportation vehicle that can move at 40KM/hr, to the Masdar Institute, where he enjoyed an explanation of Masdar at a glimpse through the multimedia wall located at the PRT station. His Highness then proceeded to the semiconductor laboratory and the Masdar Institute Clean Room, where he saw, first-hand, some of the experiments conducted by graduate students at the Institute. His Highness then went on to the laboratories on the second floor of the building where he was briefed on the laboratory tissue and advanced biofuels and the environment. This leg of the tour also included a quick view into the Earth Observation and Environmental Remote Sensing lab as well as the Interactive Artificial Intelligence lab, where His Highness received a brief on the research conducted to create a robot that can be deployed to unreachable/hard to reach areas
Following the lab visits, His Highness and his accompanying delegation were led to the main courtyard of the Institute where he was briefed on the commercial facilities and the Masdar Institute wind tower, which is aimed at tempering the climate of the courtyard of the Institute. The construction and engineering of the Wind Tower was inspired by traditional Arab design. The wind tower is unique in all aspects including a function that emits cooling vapor water during the heat season.
Additionally, His Highness paid a visit to the Institute dormitories and was briefed on the sustainable building materials used in constructing the Institute, the general sustainability features of the design, as well as the steps taken to manage the building – which includes the use of specific devices and smart meters to reduce water and electric consumption
His Highness’s next stop was at the Masdar Institute knowledge center where he met students and encouraged their perseverance in the pursuit of higher education.
In appreciation of the continued support of the UAE leadership, the students, gathered at the Knowledge Center, presented His Highness with a letter of appreciation and recited an oath to His Highness, pledging allegiance to carry out their work with devotion and to ensure that the noble goals and far-reaching vision of the UAE’s leadership to achieve sustainable development are achieved.
His Highness was also presented with a progress update on the various business units of Masdar, including a presentation on the cleantech companies that Masdar Capital has invested in around the world. He was briefed on projects that are undergoing due diligence or are on the verge of implementation including the 100MW “Shams 1” project – in the western region of Abu Dhabi which utilizes concentrating solar power (CSP). He also received a briefing on the innovative and recently launched Gemasolar power plant in Seville, Spain that uses molten salt in a central tower to collect and store heat – thus enabling generation of electricity after sundown. His Highness was briefed on the London Array wind power project in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “This visit is a true testament to the hands-on approach adopted by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. His continued support is one of the main reasons behind Masdar’s worldwide recognition in the renewable energy and sustainable development spheres; and the success of the strategic initiatives undertaken by the leadership to ensure the progressive development of the country.
Dr. Al Jaber added: “This tangible progress that Masdar has achieved, over the past five years, would not have been possible had it not been for the far-reaching vision of His Highness the President and the diligent follow up of His Highness the Crown Prince. The Masdar initiative was established to develop and implement renewable energy and clean technology solutions. We have achieved very important steps on this front – whereby with each year, the UAE’s renewable energy and clean technology profile is increasing globally. But regardless of this great progress, we still have a lot to achieve – Masdar’s goals are based on a long-term strategy and we stand ready to continue our efforts to realize the wise and visionary goals of our leadership. We aim to ensure that renewable energy is a main component of our country’s energy diversification plans. This visit of His Highness today instills in us more national confidence and pride – which will serve to intensify our efforts towards reaching our goals.”
Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, said: “The visit of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has given us great incentive to exert even more effort and continue our mission of providing a nurturing environment for research, technology and innovation. It has also encouraged us to increase our efforts towards the development of human capital, preparing the necessary expertise, and supporting enhanced knowledge in the nation.”
Masdar’s dedication to utilizing and advancing the latest technologies in cleantech include: the latest designs in PV material which prevent the accumulation of sand and dust, a project in collaboration with the U. S. Department of Energy; ‘beamdown’ technology, an advanced concentrated solar power (CSP) project in partnership with Japan’s Cosmo Oil Company and the Tokyo Institute of Technology, which has the potential to convert solar irradiation into electricity in a more efficient way than other technologies; and the Masdar’s 10MW Solar Power plant provides Masdar with its electricity needs while excess energy is then fed back into the main grid of Abu Dhabi.
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Masdar Institute Pavilion to Offer Information on MSc Programs, Foundation Program, Outreach Program, Young Future Energy Leaders, Scholarship, Campus Details and Recruitment
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 17 October, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it will showcase its academic and outreach programs for UAE national students at the Najah Education and Training Exhibition and Career Fair 2011 in Abu Dhabi.
Organized under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the fifth edition of Najah exhibition will be held from 18-20 October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Masdar Institute’s pavilion at the event will offer information on the MSc Programs, Foundation Program for UAE Nationals, Outreach Program including the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program, scholarship details for eligible students, other academic initiatives, and activities for students. The pavilion also includes a Masdar stand that offers students information on its sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives.
A mini-theatre will stage regular presentations to educate visitors on the graduate programs in engineering and technology as well as the employment opportunities at Masdar Institute. The graduate programs offered by Masdar Institute include Engineering Systems and Management, Computing and Information Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering, Microsystems Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering, as well as Chemical Engineering.
Masdar Institute hosted the first-ever commencement ceremony in June this year when 72 students received their Master of Science degrees with a focus on sustainable and renewable energy. Seven of these students received immediate employment offers from multinational corporations and overseas organizations such as General Electric (GE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the US, while five others were employed within the UAE by elite organizations including Mubadala Development Company. The remaining students are expected to get placements in the near future. Over the next five years, Masdar Institute is expected to enroll around 600 students.
Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, said: “Najah offers a platform to highlight our holistic programs. Masdar Institute is dedicated to the science and engineering of advanced alternative energy, environmental technologies and sustainability. As a crucial source of research and development, it remains fundamental to Abu Dhabi’s core objectives of developing a knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges.
ldquo;Our unique location within Masdar City – one of the most sustainable cities in the world and a test bed for new innovations, research opportunities, and special programs offered through collaborations with other renowned academic institutions such as MIT.”
Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Masdar, said: “The Najah exhibition and career fair opens up opportunities for talented young UAE nationals who seek avenues to empower themselves professionally. Masdar Institute is one of the leading academic institutions that offer post-graduate programs in advance and sustainable technologies and we believe our participation at this event will help raise awareness about our unique and competitive academic offerings among the community.”
The centerpiece of Masdar City, one of the carbon-neutral and sustainable cities in the world, Masdar Institute provides students an unparalleled opportunity in the entire spectrum of research, from theory to applied research to commercialization in a single location. With its best-in-class amenities for research and development in clean technologies, it aims to help drive economic diversification through human capital and technological innovation.
Geneva-Switzerland/Abu Dhabi-UAE: 15 October, 2011 – The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology today announced that 14 members of Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program visited the hangar facility of Solar Impulse in Payerne near Geneva to gain a first-hand glimpse of the world’s pioneering aircraft designed to fly day and night without using fossil fuel or polluting the planet.
The YFEL members were in Geneva to attend the European Future Energy Forum (EFEF) 2011 and interact and network with global renewable energy industry leaders.
Officials at the Solar Impulse facility in western Switzerland briefed members of YFEL on the key features and the distinctive elements that enable the plane to fly longer distances even during darkness.
The YFEL members were informed in detail about the 12,000 photovoltaic cells integrated into the Solar Impulse plane’s wings that feed four electric motors and the lithium polymer batteries that enable the plane to fly at night. Stretching 64 meters long, the plane is extremely light (just 1,600kg) and has an average speed of around 70 km/h.
The visit to the Solar Impulse facility was organized to enrich the YFEL members and expand the scope of their knowledge in the renewable energy industry, to prepare them for future roles as industry professionals.
The 14 YFEL members were selected for the trip to Geneva after a stringent process that included a ‘case study competition’. The participants were assessed and chosen for their critical thinking skills and ability to understand the link between technology and policy in the renewable energy industry. YFEL is an Outreach Program by Masdar Institute, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology.
Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs at Masdar Institute, said: “The visit to view a pioneering concept such as the Solar Impulse plane will help open up innovative perspectives for the YFEL members. By creating opportunities for YFEL members to learn more about scientific advances, we aim to channelize their creative energies towards unique theories and nurture them as tomorrow’s energy leaders.”
Zainab Al Ali, Outreach Officer and Coordinator of the YFEL, Masdar Institute, said: “Learning about the renewable energy features incorporated into the Solar Plane was truly an enriching experience for the YFEL members. The visit to Payerne hangar facility in western Switzerland represented the highpoint of the YFEL members’ Geneva schedule, as they could see the tangible proof of future energy solutions that were discussed at EFEF 2011.”
Muna Al Amoodi, YFEL member and a young professional form Dubai Aluminium Company (DUBAL), said: “It was a life-time opportunity for us to see the extraordinary Solar Impulse plane that features the new renewable energy technology. The officials at the Payerne hangar facility thoroughly explained the various components and their functions. I am grateful to YFEL for offering me an avenue to understand this futuristic technology and feel privileged to be part of the team that was selected for the EFEF 2011 in Geneva.”
The visionaries behind the Solar Impulse project are Dr. Bertrand Piccard, Initiator and Chairman, and André Borschberg, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. In June 2011, the Solar Impulse plane was on display as a special guest during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget. Earlier in May, the plane took off from an airfield at Payerne in western Switzerland and landed at Brussels airport after a 13-hour flight to receive official patronage from the authorities of the European Union. The plane also holds the record for the longest continuous flight using solar power at 26 hours, 19 minutes and 10 seconds. A larger version of the Solar Impulse is expected to be completed in 2013 for the journey around the world in 2014.
The YFEL program 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 – energy efficiency and 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.
Organized in association with Masdar and supported by the State of Geneva, the three-day EFEF 2011 annual conference and exhibition at Palexpo in Geneva concluded on 12 October.
Enthusiastic Participation Reflects Students’ Strong Interest in Masdar Institute’s Outreach Initiatives and Academic Programs
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 12 October, 2011 – Officials from Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainability, held a one-day workshop for the students of Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research to highlight the programmes offered exclusively for UAE national graduates.
The visit to Khalifa University marks the first of a series of presentations that are scheduled by the Public Affairs department team and designed to attract talented UAE national graduates to the Masdar Institute and offer them the opportunity to be part of innovations in the renewable and sustainable energy technologies. It also reflects Masdar Institute’s mission as a world-class educational institution that is committed to indigenously developing future leaders and critical thinkers in science and technology.
The presentation led by Dr. Kenneth Volk, Outreach Manager, and Hessa Al Shehhi, Student Enrollment Officer, aimed to raise awareness of the dedicated programs and opportunities such as the Foundation Program for the UAE nationals and the Outreach Program. A total of 32 students from Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research enthusiastically participated in the event to learn more about the programs.
The Foundation Program offered by Masdar Institute is designed to help expand the knowledge required to undertake graduate level courses at Masdar Institute and enable them to meet the core degree requirements. Providing students with an opportunity to review the principles that underlie the academic program of their choice, it also prepares them for two years of advanced studies in one of the eight Master of Science (MSc) programs.
On completion of the Foundation courses, Masdar Institute offers students an optional summer practical experience program on integrated energy systems and sustainability at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, which is designed to stimulate their minds and broaden their perspectives on current clean energy and sustainability issues.
In addition, Masdar Institute has a number of outreach programs that aim to help Emirati students develop keen awareness and appreciation of environmental, energy and sustainability issues. The programs guide students to gain the academic skills, talents and dispositions necessary for graduate education and eventual employment in these challenging areas.
Masdar Institute outreach programs also target the international community and work towards raising awareness on climate change and sustainability among international students and other interested groups and individuals, and engage them in finding practical solutions to such global issues.
The Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) is one of the major outreach programs that bring together talented UAE youth and global industry leaders to discuss current issues and the future of energy in coordination with the annual World Future Energy Summit held in January in Abu Dhabi. International students and young professionals also take part in the program.
Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “The visit to Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research is part of our overall efforts to highlight Masdar Institute’s role in offering guidance and empowering the UAE national graduates through partnership with local universities. The enthusiastic response to our presentation vindicates the world-class facilities and cutting-edge research we provide to the UAE nationals in collaboration with renowned academic institutions. We are confident most of the students will take advantage of our offerings and adequately equip themselves for the demands of their future career.”
She added: “The visit was also part of our strategy to offer Emirati students the right avenues through Masdar Institute. We hope to see students from Khalifa University at our campus to pursue their ambitions in research and higher education.”
The centerpiece of Masdar City, one of the carbon-neutral and sustainable cities in the world, Masdar Institute provides students an unparalleled opportunity in the entire spectrum of research, from theory to applied research to commercialization in a single location. With its state-of-the-art amenities for research and development in clean technologies, it aims to help drive economic diversification through human capital and technological innovation.
YFEL Members Selected through ‘Case Study Competition’ to Assess Critical Thinking Skills
Geneva-Switzerland/Abu Dhabi-UAE: 10 October, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology, today announced that a team of 14 members from the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program are interacting and networking with global industry leaders at the European Future Energy Forum (EFEF) 2011 in Geneva.
Organized in association with Masdar, the third edition of the EFEF annual conference and exhibition opened today at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland. Themed ‘Making Innovation Happen for a Sustainable World’, this year’s event has gathered international businesses, industry stakeholders, organizations and government leaders to discuss key issues related to renewable energy. EFEF 2011 will conclude on 12 October.
The 14 YFEL members were selected following a ‘case study competition’ that was focused on solar energy. The competition was designed to assess YFEL members’ critical thinking skills and ability to understand the link between technology and policy in the renewable energy industry.
The chosen YFEL members are scheduled to attend all the plenary and interactive sessions as well as the Ideas-Storm that cover topics including innovation, policy and regulation, finance, infrastructure and energy mix. They will visit the stands of various companies participating in the cleantech exhibition and attend a presentation and Q&A session by Jerry Stokes, President of Suntech Europe. Suntech is one of the world’s largest photovoltaic (PV) solar module manufacturers and a leader in combining technology and manufacturing scale to significantly increase performance and reduce the cost of solar electricity.
The EFEF 2011 is expected to provide YFEL members with an avenue to expand the scope of their knowledge in the renewable energy industry and enrich themselves to be able to carry out future roles as industry professionals.
Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh said: “By engaging with industry leaders at the EFEF, the select group of YFEL members will achieve valuable experience and knowledge that will enable them to become effective decision-makers of tomorrow in advanced energy and sustainable technology. The forum in Geneva offers the right opportunity for YFEL members to additionally hone their skills and help gain confidence to interact with high-profile government leaders of the industry.”
Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs at Masdar Institute, said: “The YFEL programme aims to engage them and raise the awareness of students and young professionals in the fields of advanced energy and sustainable technology. By offering them an opportunity to attend events such as EFEF, we enable them to network with decision-makers in the corporate world and the government sector. The event is part of Masdar Institute’s efforts to mentor and nurture YFEL members and to make them effective leaders of tomorrow.”
Zainab Al Ali, Outreach Officer and Coordinator of the YFEL, Masdar Institute, said: “Our presence in EFEF 2011 is part of the year-long program that includes leadership, policy and technical courses offered to members. Such events help YFEL members network effectively with top officials and business leaders. A schedule of activities has been provided to the members to make networking more convenient during the event. We are confident that through their participation in the event, they will expand their knowledge in advanced energy and sustainable technology.”
Asiya Al Ali, YFEL member and a young professional from Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company (ADGAS), said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to be part of such a global event. My participation in earlier local and overseas YFEL events has given me fresh academic and business perspectives that proved professionally valuable. I believe this experience will enrich all members.”
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 – energy efficiency and 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.
Dr Fred Moavenzadeh to Lead Opening Plenary Session and Dr Steven Griffiths to Speak On Renewable Energy Mix
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 09 October, 2011 – Two top officials from Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology, will be proactively driving international debate on renewable energy issues at the European Future Energy Forum (EFEF) 2011 in Geneva.
Organized in association with Masdar, the third edition of the European Future Energy Forum themed ‘Making Innovation Happen for a Sustainable World’ will be held from 10-12 October at the Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland. The event will gather international businesses, industry stakeholders, NGOs, government leaders, investors, solution providers and the academia to discuss key issues related to renewable energy.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber will deliver his keynote address at the official opening of the forum that will also witness dignitaries including Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation, Pierre-François Unger, State Councilor for Economy and Health, Vice-President of the State Council of Geneva, and Fabricio Hernández Pampaloni, Secretary of State for Energy, Spain.
Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, will moderate the Opening Plenary session, while Dr Steven Griffiths, Executive Director, Office of Initiatives, Masdar Institute, will be one of the panelists in a session titled ‘The landscape of renewable energies: Future Energy Mix – A recipe for success’ and the Closing Plenary. They will join officials from other Masdar units to share their expert insights at the forum’s various sessions.
With his extensive insights in renewable energy and sustainable technologies, Dr Moavenzadeh will drive the debate on ‘Inspiration – building the vision: Opening Plenary… Setting the stage’ at the session that will include top decision makers and thought leaders.
Dr Moavenzadeh said: “The opening plenary will set the tone for the four-day event with each panelist elaborating on the new energy sources and the development of existing ones. Energy mix will be one of the key topics that will receive special emphasis during this session. We are confident the distinctive observations by panel members will encourage a lively and open debate at EFEF 2011, covering the entire renewable energy and sustainable technology spectrum.”
With a long and distinguished career at the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, Dr. Moavenzadeh is widely recognized for his innovative role in building global institutions and developing new models of teaching and research through international initiatives in education, science and technology. He received his PhD from Purdue University. Dr. Moavenzadeh was named the President of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in July 2010.
Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs at Masdar Institute, will be heading a delegation of Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL), a Masdar Institute Outreach Program, to EFEF 2011.
Dr. Fawwaz said: “Members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) will interact with top government officials and industry leaders at the event. The select members will attend the plenary sessions and other workshops. We hope attending the event will widen their knowledge horizons and pave the way to making them energy leaders of tomorrow.”
Dr Steven Griffiths said: “It is important to create and offer forums for exchange of ideas for facilitating the R&D and policy development activities required for clean technology deployment. Such dialogues are critical for aligning key stakeholders with plans that are action-oriented and correctly targeted.”
Dr. Griffiths, Director of Institute Initiatives- Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from MIT and his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Earlier, he was the Executive Director of the MIT Technology and Development Program’s MIT/Abu Dhabi Program and the founding Executive Vice-President of Light Pharma Inc. In these roles, he worked in the US, India and the Middle East, leading the development and implementation of technical and strategic relationships.
Located at the heart of the home-grown research and development community at Masdar City, Masdar Institute aims to eventually host 600 Master’s and PhD students and 200 faculty over the next five years. Its fellowship partners include Imperial College London (UK), RWTH Aachen University (Germany), Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan), University of Waterloo (Canada) and the University of Central Florida (US).
Fuentes de Andalucía (Seville, Spain), October 4 – Today, His Majesty the King of Spain Juan Carlos I and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces officially inaugurated the new solar power plant Gemasolar in Fuentes Andalucia, Spain.
His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the National Security Adviser and Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with other dignitaries from the UAE and the Spanish Government, also attended the event. The Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Trinidad Jiménez, and the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade, Miguel Sebastián, were among the invitees. Mr. Sebastian took part in the ceremony, along with the President of the Andalusian Autonomous Government (Junta de Andalucía), José Antonio Griñán, who was the last speaker at the event.
Owned by Torresol Energy, a joint venture between Masdar – Abu Dhabi’s holistic and progressive renewable energy company – and SENER – the leading Spanish engineering and construction firm, Gemasolar is the first commercial plant in the world to use molten salt thermal storage in a central tower configuration with a heliostat field.
The Gemasolar facility represents a significant breakthrough in the global solar industry and an important new field of cooperation between Spain and the UAE.
During the ceremony, the President of Torresol Energy, Enrique Sendagorta, the President of SENER, Jorge Sendagorta, and the CEO of Masdar, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, highlighted in their speeches the importance of this project.
Mr Enrique Sendagorta stated: “We want to become a global company that develops the use of concentrated solar power as a sustainable source of power and therefore contribute to the protection of the environment for the future generations. The start up of this plant that we inaugurate today is a first decisive step in our way. Gemasolar, owned by Torresol Energy, would not have been possible without the contributions of its partners: SENER and Masdar.”
In turn, Mr. Jorge Sendagorta added: “In the last decade, SENER has dedicated an enormous intellectual and economical effort to the advance and commercial deployment of the thermoelectric generation from concentrated solar power. An effort that has given its results, as we have materialized three important contributions to the development of this technology, the thermal storage, that improves drastically the plant availability and makes it possible to generate power even when there is no sunshine; the thermoelectric efficiency increase, with receivers that operate at very high temperatures; and the cost reduction with industrialized designs and processes. All these innovations are particularly demonstrated in this plant, Gemasolar.”
Dr. Al Jaber said: “Abu Dhabi aims to build bridges with like-minded nations to address the world’s greatest challenges, such as energy security, climate change mitigation, and sustainable human development. Today is an important milestone in this endeavor. Masdar is working with international partners to develop and deploy the most recent scientific and technological innovations, increasing the role of renewable energy as part of a diversified energy. In this way, we will build on the UAE’s existing international role as an energy exporter by also becoming a global provider of future energy knowledge and expertise. The benefits of this plant extend beyond new technology to economic and social development and we look forward to working with other nations on opportunities to benefit from this significant achievement.”
More than 350 guests attended the opening, among them representatives of the central, regional and local governments, leading Spanish political figures, professionals from the financial arena, business associations and research agencies, as well as leading figures of the CSP sector and technicians whose work has contributed to the successful completion of the plant.
Gemasolar is a revolution in the CSP sector, and its commercial operation is expected to lead the way for other central tower plants with molten salt receiver technology, an efficient system that improves the dispatchability of electric power from renewable sources.
Gemasolar is a high temperature solar plant, that can reach operating temperatures of over 500°C, much higher than plants with parabolic trough technology, as it does not require oil, but rather directly uses molten salt as a transfer fluid. These higher temperatures in turn generate hotter, pressurized steam in the turbine, which significantly increases the plant’s efficiency.
The salt storage capacity enables the plant to supply energy to the grid based on demand, regardless of whether there is solar radiation. Thus, Gemasolar, with its 19.9 MW nameplate capacity, can supply electricity to a population of 27,500 households in the South of Spain. It is expected that Gemasolar will produce a net total of over 110 GWhe per year by operating for a total of 6,450 hours a year at full capacity.
This annual production of Gemasolar (110GWhe) is the equivalent of the energy generated in a conventional thermal plant burning 89,000 tons of lignite or the converted energy of 217,000 oil barrels. Therefore, the plant is expected to save more than 30,000 tonnes of CO2 emission a year.
The plant’s most cutting-edge equipment has been developed by SENER. This company has been responsible for leading the EPC and commissioning works of the plant as well as for supplying all the technology for Gemasolar and the basic and detail engineering design. As for Masdar, a strategic developer of renewable energy power projects, the company helped ensure the commercial approach taken to funding and operating this facility.
Torresol Energy, which commercially develops, manages construction, owns and operates CSP plants globally, has been awarded a 25-year regulated tariff by the Spanish Government. It is developing two further facilities – Valle 1 and Valle 2 – in nearby Cadiz. These 50MW facilities will employ parabolic trough technology and have an expected net electrical production of 160 GWh/year each – equivalent to the average consumption of 40,000 households. The two plants will together help save 90,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. Both are scheduled to commence start operations by the end of 2011.
These facilities will help Spain contribute to Europe’s 2020 climate and energy targets which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, increase to 20% the use of renewables as a primary source of energy and reduce primary energy consumption by 20% through improved efficiency.
A 171 million Euro financing facility was secured through the open market in 2008 for the construction of Gemasolar, led by Banco Popular, Banesto and the Instituto de Crédito Oficial, with 90 million Euros of this facility provided by the European Investment Bank. A further Euro 540 million of project finance loans was secured for the construction of Valle 1 and Valle 2.
Raising this amount for first of its kind technology at a commercial scale shows what Masdar and SENER are capable of as strong, credible technology partners. The support of EIB was also very important to the viability of this project. Total investment in the three facilities came to Euro 1bn (US$1.4bn).
Gemasolar has already won a number of awards including ‘Commercialized Technology Innovation of the Year’ and the Ruban d’Honneur title in the prestigious European Business Awards.
‘YFEL Stakeholder Event’ Further Strengthens Relations with Business Leaders and CEOs of Sponsor Organizations
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 4 October, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology, honored the sponsors of events organized under the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program during 2011.
The ‘YFEL Stakeholder Event’ held recently at the Yas Hotel – Abu Dhabi was attended by a large number of VIP guests and officials from government and private organizations. The luncheon and networking event specially aimed to strengthen and expand YFEL’s relationship with the business leaders and CEOs of sponsor organizations as well as prospective stakeholders, while offering them the opportunity to support the YFEL programs in 2012.
Salem Bin Mohammed Bin Kardous Al Ameri attended the event on behalf of his father Mohammed Bin Kardous Al Ameri, renowned Emirati philanthropist and enthusiastic supporter of YFEL. Chief executive officers and representatives of organizations including Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Dolphin Energy also participated in the event. They were welcomed by Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Dr Joseph L. Cecchi, Provost, Masdar Institute, as well as other members of Masdar Institute management team. Zainab Al Ali, YFEL Program Coordinator at Masdar Institute, welcomed the gathering.
Following a video presentation, Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs at Masdar Institute, offered an overview of Masdar Institute and the YFEL program. She also announced YFEL’s schedule of activities for the rest of 2011 and highlighted the program’s achievements to date. Sponsors and prospective stakeholders gained an insight into the extent of YFEL’s success their robust support has accomplished.
During the event, Alia Ali Mubarak Busamra, an YFEL member, shared her personal experience with the audience and how the program proved to be greatly beneficial in learning more about advanced energy and sustainable development.
Alia Busamra said: “I was fortunate to be among several young professional candidates who were selected for this exceptional program. A major benefit of the YFEL program is that I had the opportunity to meet participants from different educational, professional and cultural backgrounds who share the same passion and are willing to contribute their knowledge, skills and experience to the development of renewable energy.
She added: “The program gave us the chance to meet global and local leaders and hear what they have to say about current and future energy challenges that we, the young future leaders, will have to tackle in the not-so-distant future. YFEL provides an effective platform to translate students’ efforts into practical solutions that our society needs.”
Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh said: “The unique YFEL program provides an avenue for us to help mentor future leaders in renewable energy by engaging them with the leaders of today. The sponsors of previous programs have enormously assisted in bringing the youth closer to the professionals and we are grateful for their noble gesture. We believe their continued association with YFEL will further strengthen the program and help us achieve our objectives.”
Dr. Lamya Fawwaz thanked YFEL sponsors for their continued support and commitment to the program and called on local businessmen, government and academia to work together to foster young leaders and play a more active role in their lives. She emphasized that only continued support from progressive groups and individuals will ensure the future success of YFEL programs that offer an enriching experience to members.
Zainab Al Ali, Outreach Officer and YFEL Program Coordinator at Masdar Institute, said: “YFEL is an outreach program by Masdar Institute that inspires, engages and empowers bright young people to be tomorrow’s leaders in alternative energy and sustainability. It achieves this by bringing together students and promising young professionals from the UAE and around the world in a series of networking, skill development and idea sharing forums focused on this dynamic and vitally important field.”
New Batch of Students Gains Preview of State-of-the-Art Research and Laboratory Facilities at Masdar Institute
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 06 September, 2011 – Members of the top management team, faculty, staff and senior students of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on alternative energy and sustainability, is hosting a four-day orientation program for students of September 2011 intake.
The program that commenced on 5 September aims to familiarize students with the special features and facilities available at Masdar Institute, which will be their home for the next two years. Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, and Dr. Joe Cecchi, Provost, welcomed the students to the institute.
Dr. Scott Kennedy, Associate Dean for Research, heads of various faculties, and Monika Counts, Director of Student Affairs, additionally briefed the students during the orientation program. Aida Al Busaidy, Manager – Planning, Internal and Online Communications, Masdar, will interact with the students on 7 September.
The newly enrolled students were provided with an overview of all academic programs on offer at Masdar Institute and the focus areas for research. Information on housing and residency policies, and sustainability living was also shared with the newcomers. The program will include visits to major landmarks in the Abu Dhabi emirate.
Masdar Institute received over 2,000 applications from 103 countries for the forthcoming academic intake, demonstrating the strong interest among students for renewable and clean energy technologies. The programs being offered at Masdar Institute incorporate research opportunities in highly specialized subject areas that will empower the students to adequately contribute to the creation and deployment of sustainable lifestyle techniques.
Masdar Institute is the centerpiece of Masdar City, one of the carbon-neutral and sustainable cities in the world. It provides students an unparalleled opportunity in the entire spectrum of research, from theory to applied research to commercialization in a single location. With its best in class amenities for research and development in clean technologies, it aims to help drive economic diversification through human capital and technological innovation.
Special Programs at MIT and UNAM to Help Masdar Institute Students Develop UAE’s Microsystems Sector
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 15 August, 2011 – Two students from the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on alternative energy and sustainability, participated in a ‘nano-fabrication training’ program in the US and Turkey to gain expertise as part of an initiative to develop the UAE’s microsystems sector.
The students – Sabina Abdul Hadi and Ayman Rizk – were conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Ammar Nayfeh, Assistant Professor, Microelectronics Devices and Circuits, Masdar Institute. They were selected after they expressed interest in ‘nano fabrication’. The skills the students gained in the US and Turkey will be used in Masdar Institute’s clean room and they will share their experience with other students, who are conducting research in nano fabrication.
Sabina Abdul Hadi fabricated thin film solar cells at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, while Ayman Rizk fabricated nano-particle based flash memories at Ulusal Nanoteknoloji Araştırma Merkezi, (UNAM – National Nanotechnology Research Center) in Turkey.
The training program for the students was organized under Masdar Institute’s existing collaboration agreements with MIT and UNAM. Judy L. Hoyt, Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), affiliated with the Microsystems Technology Laboratories, hosted the program at MIT, while Dr. Ali Kemal Okyay, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, conducted the program at UNAM in Turkey.
The students gained experience for use of a clean room in a research environment, to design and fabricate devices for completion of their Master’s thesis in addition to possible publication in a journal, use their experience to help build the clean room at Masdar, and enhance research collaboration with leading research-oriented academic institutions.
Dr Nayfeh said: “We hope to generate significant interest in Microsystems especially among the UAE youth. Local success stories have the capability to create a buzz and get the youth interested in science and engineering. Trained students are vital to creating a clean-room facility at Masdar Institute, similar to the one at MIT and UNAM. More importantly, such students will help develop the UAE’s fledgling Microsystems sector.”
In future, Masdar Institute seeks to reciprocate the gesture by receiving students from MIT and UNAM under the student exchange program.
Dr Nayfeh added: “Joint research projects are quite rewarding in general as participants get an opportunity to tackle a wide range of topics and use facilities or expertise from both sides. At this stage for Masdar, using the clean room brings greater benefits. In the near future, Masdar will have many tools that may not be available elsewhere in the world. However, we believe joint publications will result in greater success for us and our partner institutions.”
Dr. Ammar Nayfeh’s current research interests include thin film solar cells, low power nano-electronics, high-performance nano-electronics, nano-photonics and nano-memory technologies. He is currently working at the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) at MIT on thin film tandem multi-junction crystalline solar cells with SiGe for improved efficiency. His teaching focus areas include Integrated Microelectronic Devices, Physics of Micro fabrication: Front End Processing, and Micro/Nano Processing Technology.
The clean room at Masdar Institute, the first in the Middle East and North Africa, will support the educational and research needs for students of Master’s program in ‘Microsystems Engineering’. It will offer state-of-the-art equipment to conduct research in semiconductor devices and fabrication technologies, and the creation of new electronic and photonic circuits.
Under existing collaboration agreements, students from Masdar Institute attend various academic institutions especially for focused seminars and workshops on diverse subject areas in the renewable and clean energy spectrum.
