Dr Toufic Mezher Participates in Workshop on ‘Innovation and Technology: The use of Renewable Energy Scenarios for Decision’

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 17 January, 2011 – Knowledge management in renewable energy is essential especially for creating, capturing, and delivering the knowledge.  Therefore, there is a need to develop a common ontology for the renewable energy sector and develop knowledge mapping for all the existing information, according to Dr Toufic Mezher, Professor in Engineering System and Management, at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

Dr Toufic Mezher was participating in the session titled ‘Innovation and Technology: The use of Renewable Energy Scenarios for Decision’ at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2012 that opened on 16 January at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADENC). The summit is organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Elaborating on the relevance of renewable energy knowledge to the region, Dr Toufic Mezher said: “Having access to energy knowledge is very important to all stakeholders in order to understand what is going on in terms of knowledge creation and capturing. This is relevant because stakeholders from this region can access needed for renewable energy knowledge and can share their own knowledge with others from around the globe.”

An independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, Masdar Institute plays a vital role in the development of innovation in clean and renewable energy.

Talking about removing the barriers to energy access, Christine Eibs Singer, E+Co Co-Founder and CEO and Founding Member of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, said that the year 2012 will be the UN Year of Global Energy Access.

Singer pointed out that while access is an issue on which there are many initiatives but progress has been slow in parts of the world, others have virtually eliminated the problem. Various types or renewable solutions can help to solve access problems, but their development and application is fragmented, Eibs Singer observed and added that all too often development efforts do not reach the energy poor or efforts do not have sufficient critical mass to sustain a transition.

Established in 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.
 

Students to Spend Two Weeks in Japan to Learn about Toyota’s Efforts to Develop Cutting-edge Low-Carbon Emission Vehicle Technologies

Abu Dhabi-UAE: January 16, 2012 –The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, and Toyota Motor Corporation, the world’s leading automotive manufacturer today signed a deal to set up Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship Program for conducting research on the advancement of low-carbon emission vehicle technologies.

According to the agreement, Toyota, winner of the Zayed Future Energy Prize in 2010, will use the US$1.5 million prize fund to establish a scholarship program for 10 students. One student will be selected for each academic year and the scholarship includes a two-week trip to Japan.
The annual scholarships will be offered to highly-qualified graduate students from around the world to work on projects in the area of technologies for sustainable development.
On behalf of each party, Nobuyuki Negishi, Chief Representative, The Middle East & North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology attended a signing ceremony at the Masdar Institute stand at the World Future Energy Summit 2012 in Abu Dhabi today. The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute, and Director-General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

Makoto Kitamura, Grand Master of Toyota’s Middle East & North Africa Representative office, and Eigo Yamamoto, Sales & Marketing Manager, Toyota, were also present at the ceremony, in addition to Dr Steve Griffiths, Executive Director, Institute Initiatives, and Dr Youssef Shatilla, Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Masdar Institute.

Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, WFES 2012 opened on 16 January at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The world’s most influential leaders in renewable energy, including heads of state, policy makers, government officials, business leaders, and academics, have convened in Abu Dhabi, the emerging global hub for renewable energy, to discuss, promote and debate the challenges and solutions of the world’s energy requirements.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Director-General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, said: “This substantive partnership between Toyota Motor Corporation and the Masdar Institute sits at the heart of what the Zayed Future Energy Prize has set to achieve. In merely two years, the Prize has taken its rightful place as a catalyst for expediting innovation around the world.
“The scholarships funded by Toyota will serve to ensure that these scholars will benefit from a rich, academic, research-driven environment where they will be able to pursue the development of cutting-edge technologies.”
Talented students selected to receive Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship will write their final Master’s degree thesis on a sustainable mobility topic such as product development or technology strategy. Each student with the scholarship will have a supervisor at Masdar Institute who will closely monitor and support the student’s studies and Master’s thesis work.

In addition, each student will spend two weeks at Toyota Motor Corporation and other sites in Japan, learning about the company’s efforts to develop cutting-edge low emission vehicle technologies and also Japanese industries’ efforts in realizing simultaneously economic growth and environmental preservation.

Nobuyuki Negishi said: “Toyota recognizes the importance of global sustainability and implements several programs across various platforms to engage with the community. Masdar Institute is one of the leading research-oriented academic institutions that constantly engage with the youth to develop and implement clean energy technologies. We are honored to establish this scholarship program at Masdar Institute that will create the right environment for students to conduct their research and achieve breakthrough in bringing new energy technologies for everyday use.”
Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh said: “The establishment of Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship Program takes us another step forward in facilitating research in key sustainable technology areas that remain one of the cornerstones of our academic activities. Signing the deal with a global automobile leader such as Toyota further strengthens our status as a world-class institution that aims to nurture students and develop them into capable energy leaders of tomorrow. We are delighted to enter into this arrangement that will contribute to the advancement of low-carbon emission vehicle technologies.”
Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship Program and its benefits are subject to the student maintaining a minimum CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) as determined by Masdar Institute and satisfactory progress on their research. The scholarship will be offered to talented students qualified to meet Masdar Institute’s admission standards which include appropriate TOEFL score, GRE and an excellent CGPA from a recognized university.

Students will divide their time between class work and research in one of Masdar Institute’s Master of Science (MSc) programs including Electrical Power Engineering, Engineering Systems and Management, Computing and Information Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Microsystems Engineering and Water and Environmental Engineering.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize, managed by Masdar, seeks to identify, recognize and reward innovation, leadership, long-term vision and impact on renewable energy and sustainability. It seeks to encourage the many solutions and technologies, which are helping to create a new, sustainable energy future that could change the world.

Located at the heart of the home-grown research and development community at Masdar City, Masdar Institute is an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies. It already has existing arrangements with leading global corporations for conducting research in renewable energy and sustainable technology areas.
 

Projects to Cover Areas Including Transparent Conductive Oxide, Modeling and Light Management

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 18 January, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it has signed a strategic master research partnership agreement with Masdar PV GmbH, leading German-based manufacturer of photovoltaic films.

The agreement was signed at the Masdar Institute stand during the Word Future Energy Summit 2012 by Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, and Ho Ty Trinh, CEO of Masdar PV. Dr Steve Griffith, Executive Director of Institute Initiatives, was present on the occasion.

Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, WFES 2012 opened on 16 January at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The world’s most influential leaders in renewable energy, including heads of state, policy makers, government officials, business leaders, and academics, have convened in Abu Dhabi, the emerging global hub for renewable energy, to discuss, promote and debate the challenges and solutions of the world’s energy requirements.

The agreement establishes a collaboration with Masdar PV in research related to silicon thin film photovoltaic technologies. The collaboration will be initiated with three individual research projects on transparent conductive oxide (TCO) glass layer optimization, photovoltaic device simulation and light management optimization. Dr Harald Bloess, Head of Engineering, Technology and Transfer, will be the Project Head at Masdar PV, while Dr. Steven Griffiths, Executive Director, Office of Institute Initiatives, and Professor of Practice, Chemical Engineering, will be Project Head at Masdar Institute.

Under the terms of first three individual project agreements, Sven Kittelmann, Senior Engineer-Projects, Masdar PV, and Adel Gougam, Assistant Professor, Masdar Institute, will handle the ‘TCO Glass Layers Optimization’ project, while Dr. Jens-Hendrik Zollondz, Manager R&D and Metrology, from Masdar PV, and Dr. Ammar Nayfeh, Assistant Professor, from Masdar Institute, will be responsible for the Photovoltaic Device Simulation project. Andreas Heidelberg, Manager – Process Integration, Masdar PV, Marcus Dahlem, Assistant Professor, from Masdar Institute, Jaime Viegas, Assistant Professor, from Masdar Institute, and Marco Stefancich, Assistant Professor, from Masdar Institute, will coordinate for the ‘Light Management Optimization / Trapping project.

The Photovoltaic Device Simulation research project to be conducted by Dr. Hendrik Zollondz and Dr. Ammar Nayfeh will focus on improving the efficiency of ‘Micromorph Tandem’ solar cellsusing Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) simulation. The TCO Glass Layers Optimization project aims to optimize the front TCO structure used in a super-state configuration for the Si thin film modules manufactured by Masdar PV. The Light Management Optimization / Trapping project by Dr. Andreas Heidelberg, Dr. Tim Frijnts, Dr. Marcus Dahlem, Dr. Jaime Viegas and Dr. Marco Stefancich aims to improve solar cell efficiencies through reduction of top cell reflectance, light trapping schemes and wavelength-selective intermediate reflectors for tandem cells.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh said: “This research will not only help Masdar PV in achieving its technology roadmap objectives, but also will establish a close collaboration between Masdar Institute and Masdar PV in an area of great regional and global importance. Research into alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy, is of vital interest to Masdar and Abu Dhabi and we believe the know-how transfer from this agreement with Masdar PV will be mutually beneficial.”

Ho Ty Trinh said: “We are delighted to enter into this research agreement with Masdar Institute. We believe the faculty at the research-driven academic institution can be instrumental in helping Masdar PV achieve its technology roadmap. We are confident their expertise will complement those possessed by the Masdar PV team.”

Established in 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.
 

Executive Committee Comprises Members from UAEU, Zayed University, Khalifa University, Masdar Institute and AUS

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 11 January, 2012 – The University Leadership Council (ULC) was launched in the UAE today under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The new organization will provide a platform for thought leadership and offer actionable recommendations to deepen collaboration and advance regionally relevant research and innovation.

The Executive Committee of the University Leadership Council consists of representatives from five leading UAE universities. They include Dr. Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University, Dr. Larry Wilson, Provost of Zayed University (ZU), Dr. Peter Heath, Chancellor of American University of Sharjah (AUS), Dr. Rory Hume, Provost of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies.

The five leading universities who are members of the University Leadership Council, in collaboration with the nation’s top academic institutions, will generate creative ideas and foster common interests for spearheading innovation and technology transfer in the region under the new organization.

More UAE-based universities are expected to become members of the University Leadership Council (ULC). A logo of the new Council was later unveiled.

To fulfill the prime responsibility towards the community, the academic leaders will drive the onset of new concepts especially through research and sow the seeds of profound change in the mindsets of students and build a foundation for the advent of scientific advancements under the new initiative. By coming together and initiate collaborative efforts, the academic leaders will help advance the nation’s socio-economic development and expand the knowledge base within the UAE and indeed the region more broadly.

The Council has a clear mandate to interface with industry and government to bring about a clearer understanding of the goals and mission of research-based universities and to work collaboratively towards common goals such as promoting a culture of research and innovation (R&I), advancing the educational goals of the UAE-based universities and alignment of policy with the government with regard to meeting the requirements of the industry and the economy.

The University Leadership Council will focus on higher education issues and needs, foster synergy through complementary and cooperative research and academic activities, as well as act as a link for faculty and students to interface with both the public and private sectors. It will also seek financial support from industry, government, and private individuals for relevant academic and research activities within member institutions. Ultimately, the ULC serves to promote the overall economic development of the country by broadening the base of knowledge and sharing technology across multiple stakeholders.

As a part of this strategy, the Executive Committee has scheduled an upcoming workshop titled ‘Government, Industry and Academic Partnership to Promote Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi’. It will aim to gather influential members from the government, industry and academia.

Dr. Tod Laursen said: “Khalifa University is an academic institution with a very clear mission to establish an internationally recognized center of higher education and provide regionally relevant research and innovation. We are pleased to support this initiative and collaborate with other research-driven institutions in the UAE. The Council’s mandate aligns very well with our mission to expand the knowledge economy and with our collective desire to highlight the critical role that UAE-based institutions have in making this economic transformation a reality.”

Dr. Larry Wilson said: “Zayed University aims to prepare today’s students to be capable leaders of tomorrow to provide the knowledge and skillsets required to secure the country’s long-term social and economic progress. We will support any collaboration effort that supports human development and we believe the establishment University Leadership Council is a step in the right direction that will ensure the country’s continued development.”

Dr. Peter Heath said: “Rooted in Arab culture, the American University of Sharjah is part of a larger concept of revitalizing intellectual life in the Middle East. We believe the University Leadership Council will play a crucial role once again in bringing the Arab world back to its pioneering status in education and knowledge and we are ready to contribute to this key initiative in the UAE.”

Dr. Rory Hume said: “As a world-class center for applied research, national and international outreach, innovation and outcome-based learning, the United Arab Emirates University strongly believes in collaborative efforts on knowledge sharing. The University Leadership Council aims to focus on research and innovation through collective measures that will help develop human capital and we are keen to extend our cooperation to the new organization to achieve its objectives.”

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh said: “With the influx of newly established graduate research-based universities, the formation of a University Leadership Council has become vitally important. Education holds the key to social and economic progress and it is the responsibility of the academic institutions in the UAE to effectively inform and educate its graduates so that they become the leaders of tomorrow and transform the UAE into a knowledge-based economy.”
 

Masdar Institute Faculty to Join Industry Experts and Stakeholders in Leading Knowledge Sharing Sessions on Clean Energy and Advanced Technologies

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 11 January, 2012 – The EU-GCC Clean Energy Network, which aims to advance the common interest between the EU and the GCC regions for strategic cooperation, today announced it will host its second annual conference concurrently with the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2012 in Abu Dhabi.

Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, WFES 2012 will be held from 16-19 January 2012 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Co-organised by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the EU-GCC Clean Energy Network’s annual conference will be hosted at the same venue from 17-19 January.

The key focus areas for the 4th Discussion Group (DG) meetings during the conference will include carbon capture and storage, clean natural gas and related technologies, renewable energy sources, as well as electricity interconnections and market integration. The conference will also provide an opportunity for distinguished clean energy experts, including representatives from the European Commission and the GCC authorities to exchange views on the potential ways to support and enhance the long-term strategic clean energy relationship between the EU and the GCC regions.

In addition to attending the conference, officials from the member institutions will have the opportunity to network with key clean energy technology providers at the WFES 2012 Exhibition.

Renowned members of Masdar Institute faculty will play a leading role during the conference. Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis Assistant Professor – Engineering Systems and Management, Masdar Institute, will lead the ‘Third Sustainable Biofuels Workshop: Middle East Perspective’. The workshop will feature leaders in biofuel development and adoption active in the Middle East from the industry including Boeing Company, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Neutral Fuels, research institutions including Masdar Institute, Qatar University, Lausanne Federal Polytechnic University, and the International Energy Agency and leaders in certification. These stakeholders will discuss the latest progress in feedstock development, usage pathways, and sustainability certification.

Dr Nikolaos Koukouzas, Deputy Director of Centre for Research and Technology Hellas/ Institute for Solid Fuels Technology and Applications (CERTH/ISFTA), Greece, and Dr Othman Zarzour, Project Manager, Masdar, will be conveners of the meeting on carbon capture and storage. Dr Rabia Ferroukhi, Energy Technology Expert, EU-GCC Clean Energy Network, Dr Manuel J. Blanco, Director, Solar Thermal Energy Department, National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER) of Spain, and Dr. Carsten Hoyer-Klick, Project Manager, German Aerospace Center, DLR, Germany, will be the conveners of the meeting on ‘Renewable Energy Sources’.

The DG meetings will wind up the first day with the session on ‘Clean Natural Gas and Related Technologies’ for which the conveners will include Prof. Mohsen Assadi, Managing Director, Centre for Sustainable Energy Solutions, Stavanger, Norway, and Dr Naji Abi-Aad, Research Advisor, Ministry of Energy/Qatar Petroleum, Qatar.

On the second day, the first of the DG meeting on ‘Energy Efficiency/Demand Side Management’ will be convened by Dr Alexandra Papadopoulou, Senior Expert, Energy Policy Unit, National Technical University of Athens, Greece and Dr Nawal Al Hosany, Associate Director of Sustainability at Masdar, while the meeting on ‘Electricity Interconnections And Market Integration’ will have Dr Najib Dandachi, Asset Management Director, Transco, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, UAE, and John Traynor, Senior Consultant on Electricity Integration, ESB International, Dublin, Ireland, as conveners.

The second plenary meeting on ‘Network Sustainability’ is also scheduled for the second day. On the final day, Prof. Taha B.M.J. from Water and Environmental Engineering program and Dr. Isam Janajreh, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Masdar Institute, will lead a training seminar on ‘Wind Resource Assessment’, while Dr. Carsten Hoyer Klick, will present the session on ‘Solar resource assessment’.

Dr Manuel J. Blanco will conduct the seminar on ‘Concentrated solar thermal power plant’, while Dr. Mohammad Abu Zahra, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering Program, Masdar Institute, will deliver training on ‘Carbon capture and storage’ (CCS) which will cover CO2 capture, transport and storage technology overviews and challenges.  The training will end with a group discussion on the viability of CCS in the region.

Hamza Kazim, Vice-President, Operations and Finance, Masdar Institute, said: “Being a research-driven academic institution, Masdar Institute will join the NTUA to remain focused on all avenues that encourage knowledge sharing and information exchange. The EU-GCC Clean Energy Network acts as a consortium that seeks to create, operate, promote and disseminate information and proposals and sustainable strategies. During the Second Annual Conference of the EU-GCC Clean Energy Network, Masdar Institute faculty will play a definitive role with other stakeholders in interacting and engaging with clean energy leaders to further expand knowledge building in sustainable energy and advanced technologies.”

In addition to Masdar Institute, the other GCC counterpart organizations in the Network are King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Sultan Qaboos University of Oman and Arabian Gulf University. The Network’s operations are supported by numerous organisations in both the regions.

Established in 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.
 

 Polar Explorer Sir Robert Swan, Energy Industry Leaders and 13-Year Old Solar Pioneer Aidan Dwyer to Interact with YFEL Members

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 9 January, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it has lined up a packed calendar of events for its outreach initiative the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2012.

Organized under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy company, the fifth edition of WFES will be held from 16-19 January at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event will gather the world’s most influential leaders in renewable energy, including heads of state, policy makers, government officials, business leaders, and academics to discuss, promote and debate challenges and solutions to the world’s energy requirements.

This year, over 150 YFEL members, representing students from UAE universities, international universities, as well as young professionals from local companies will be attending specialized forums, seminars, debates and panels at WFES 2012. The members for 2012 were selected out of 400 applicants, after a stringent vetting process that ensured only the most eligible candidates are chosen for the exclusive YFEL program.

In addition to the Emirati philanthropist, Mohammed Salem Bin Kardous Al-Ameri, who supported the YFEL 2011 program with its first individual financial contribution, corporate sponsors in 2011 included Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) and Dolphin Energy.

A key element of WFES, the YFEL program that aims to develop tomorrow’s leaders in the fields of advanced energy and sustainability, will provide opportunities for YFEL members to share their innovative ideas with their peers as well as industry, government and academic leaders.

During WFES 2012, the YFEL stand will host various programs in addition to receiving dignitaries and environmentalist including polar explorer Sir Robert Swan, energy industry leaders and Aidan Dwyer, a 13-year old scientist who has achieved breakthrough in solar power and one of 12 students to receive the 2011 Young Naturalist Award from the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Some of the events that will be organized by Masdar Institute at the YFEL stand include a presentation by Mohamed El-Ashry, Chairman, Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN 21), and Senior Fellow, UN Foundation, a debate on ‘The World-Wide Increase in Population Needs to be Reversed’ by Dr. Ken Volk, Outreach Manager, Masdar Institute, and a presentation by YFEL 2011 members Haljmar Nilsonne and David Rasmus Davidsen, who were the winners of a case competition for their project that was to develop a model for calculating the carbon costs of running a conference with WFES.

Moreover, another winning project – Black Silicon Solar Cells – by the two talented YFEL participants, focused on a method Davidsen developed and showcased during the YFEL program at WFES 2011. The innovative clean-tech method applies nanostructures to improve the efficiency of solar photovoltaic cells, allowing manufacturers – through only one extra manufacturing step — to significantly reduce the unwanted reflection of sunlight.

Davidsen and Nilsonne proudly acknowledged the role of YFEL in connecting the two young innovators. Nilsonne said, “Because of this award, I have been interviewed for a couple of different things, and I always begin by telling the story of how we met thanks to YFEL and Masdar Institute.”

In addition, the first day’s schedule will also include a sightseeing tour to Shaikh Zayed mosque and Ferrari World that will be led by YFEL 2011 members Cica Al Attas and Burhan Buçi.

Many other high-profile industry leaders and delegates are also scheduled to visit the YFEL stand at WFES 2012 and interact with select members.

The second day’s events will begin with a briefing on the YFEL 2012 project that will be followed by select members attending the plenary session ‘Business Leaders in Renewable Energy – Insights from the Executive Suite’. The rest of the events at the YFEL stand will include sessions by Bjørn Lomborg, renowned writer on environment, and Director of Copenhagen Consensus Center, Sir Robert Swan, Aidan Dwyer, and a session by Dr Steve Griffiths, Executive Director of Initiatives at Masdar Institute. These events are open only to select YFEL members who are meticulously chosen based on their individual professional skills and leadership qualities.

Later in the evening, YFEL members will participate in the Zayed Future Energy Prize Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the Emirates Palace Hotel.

The Directorate of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) from the UAE Foreign Ministry will host a panel discussion on ‘Women Leading the Way in Clean Energy and Climate Change’ at the YFEL stand on the third day. A presentation titled Direct Production of Hydrogen in the Sulfur Recovery Process of Sour Gases by an YFEL member Iman Ustadi is also scheduled for the day. Members will later attend the program on ‘Energy Storage – Technical challenges: Market opportunities’.
Following the panel discussion on ‘Finance Leaders in Future Energy – Insights from the Financiers’ at the start of the fourth day, YFEL members will receive Morten Albaek, Senior Vice-President, Group Marketing and Customer Insight, from the Danish wind energy firm Vestas, at the YFEL stand for an opening speech about future energy visionaries and innovations. Later, Saif Al Sayari, Vice-President for Operations Technology & Innovations at Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, UAE, will address the YFEL gathering.

Prior to WFES 2012, YFEL orientation gathering is scheduled on 15 January at Rotana Hotel in Yas Island to update the members on their individual roles at the event.

Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs, said: “The YFEL program offers an avenue for students and young professionals to enrich themselves for career-related growth. As an integral element of WFES, YFEL creates vital learning opportunities for its members. The dialogues and networking possibilities will facilitate long-term interactions, widening their ability to understand the global culture in research and innovation in the fields of clean energy, sustainability and environment. Active participation in WFES will significantly enhance YFEL members’ skill-base, networking opportunities and provide a platform to innovate and compete with their peers overseas. We thank the wise UAE leadership for creating such effective international platforms that benefit our future leaders.”

Zainab Al Ali, Senior Outreach Officer and Program Coordinator for YFEL, said: “Our presence in WFES is a strong acknowledgement of the need to develop young professionals and broaden their capabilities. This year the YFEL comprises members representing diverse professional backgrounds, academic disciplines and geographies. Our holistic program offering for the year commences with the events at WFES and we believe YFEL members will utilize this opportunity to develop into valuable contributors to the clean energy and sustainable technology sector.”

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.
 

Expert Faculty and Research Students to Drive Discussions at Various Workshops and Seminars

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 7 January, 2012– Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced its top officials, the faculty and research students will showcase its contribution to sustainable innovation at various workshops and seminars during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2012.

Organized under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy company, the fifth edition of WFES will be held from 16-19 January at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event will gather the world’s most influential leaders in renewable energy, including heads of state, policy makers, government officials, business leaders, and academics to discuss, promote and debate the challenges and solutions to the world’s energy requirements.

Masdar Institute serves as an academic magnet to attract scientists, researchers, and technology businesses to build the science and technology cluster that will be a source of innovation and human capital in sustainable technology. As a research-driven institution that has consistently registered several milestones since its inception, Masdar Institute will mark its participation through actively driving discussions at the workshops, training sessions, seminars and panel discussions.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, will lead a panel discussion titled ‘Building a robust R&D Infrastructure in Abu Dhabi’ on Day Two. Experts from academia, industry and government will discuss the role that each sector should play in developing such infrastructure to facilitate the UAE’s economic transformation, as well as the steps the country needs to implement to bring in innovation in this area.

The first day of the event will witness Dr. Toufic Mezher, Professor – Engineering Systems and Management, addressing on ‘Innovation and Technology: The use of Renewable Energy Scenarios for Decision Making’.

Among the round-table discussions on the first day, Dr. Mahieddine Emziane, Associate Professor at Masdar Institute, will speak on ‘Solar Energy for the Built Environment in GCC: Challenges & Opportunities’, while Prof Adel Gougam, Assistant Professor – Material Science & Engineering, will speak on ‘Photovoltaic Technologies for UAE and GCC – is Si Based Technology Viable? Technology Perspective’ on the second day.

Some of the key presentations that will be offered by Masdar Institute faculty will include a session on ‘Masdar Institute’s Role in Shaping the Future Energy Landscape’ by Dr Steve Griffiths on Day Two. A session on ‘Electron Microscopes at Masdar Institute’ will be offered by Amal Al Ghaferi, Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, on the same day.

Dr. Nikolaos Koukouzas, Deputy Director of Centre for Research and Technology Hellas/ Institute for Solid Fuels Technology and Applications(CERTH/ISFTA), Greece, will lead a session titled ‘Communication Assisted Electrical Micro grids and Smart grids adapted to highly Distributed Renewable Energy Sources’ on 18 January, while Fonkwe Fongang Edwin, Electrical Power Engineering – Research Assistant at Masdar Institute, will drive discussions on ‘Design and Implementation of a Single Phase Grid-Interactive Module Integrated Converter with Maximum Power Point Tracking’ on 19 January. A special session on ‘Scholarship Opportunities’ at Masdar Institute to be presented by Reem Orfali, Student Enrolment Manager, is scheduled for the closing day.

Additionally, Kenan Jijakli, research assistant at Masdar Institute, and Shamma Al Jaberi, Master’s student, will introduce the panel of speakers for a session titled ‘Human Capital Needs of the Renewable and Advanced Energy Industry: Where do Opportunities Exist’. The students will also lead the Careers Seminar at Masdar Theater and a networking reception.

On 15 January, Dr. Steve Griffiths, Executive Director of Institute Initiatives and Professor of Chemical Engineering at Masdar Institute, will lead a workshop on Solar PV that is titled ‘Striving for Grid Parity – the Importance of R&D in a fast evolving industry’. The workshop is being organized at Masdar Institute in collaboration with First Solar, leaders in the manufacture of PV solar modules and a premier provider of comprehensive PV solar systems.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, said: “The World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi is one of the world’s leading events in clean energy and future technology that gathers top global leaders for intense discussions on this emerging industry. As an academic institution that is focused on research in advanced energy and sustainable technology, Masdar Institute will enthusiastically participate and actively lead debates at various sessions.

“The fifth edition of WFES, themed ‘Powering Sustainable Innovation’, is even more significant as the topic has enormous relevance to Masdar Institute. With our expert faculty members and research students, our participation will reflect the extent of our involvement in sustainable innovation. We are confident the wider community will acknowledge the key role played by Masdar Institute in making clean energy solutions accessible to all and we thank the country’s leadership for making these achievements possible.”

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.
 

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 2 January, 2012 – Dr. Susan Hockfield, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), visited the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies.

Dr. Hockfield was received by Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute. During her tour of the sustainable campus, Dr. Susan Hockfield was briefed on the progress of the research projects that are being conducted within the academic complex. She was also offered an overview of the institute’s achievements across various disciplines during her interaction with the students and faculty members.

Dr. Susan Hockfield was among the group of world leaders and prominent speakers that headlined the Eye on Earth 2011 Summit and Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. She is also a jury panelist for the US$4-million Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) that seeks to identify, recognise and reward innovation, leadership, long-term vision and impact on renewable energy and sustainability.

Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis Shares Research Outcomes on Intelligent Transport Systems

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 27 December, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis, Assistant Professor – Engineering Systems and Management, shared his research outcomes on intelligent transport systems (ITS) at a seminar in Dubai.

Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis participated in a workshop on ‘Intelligent Urban Transport’, offering updates from his current research and exchanged expertise with other stakeholders on ITS in the region. Organized by the Chair Management of Network Industries MIR, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the EPFL Middle East, the workshop identified the role of ICTs in making transportation systems more efficient.

Over 15 senior and high profile participants from the UAE, GCC region and Switzerland attended the event that was held in Dubai.

In sustainable transportation, Dr. Sgouridis’ scope of research covers areas including ‘commercial aviation sustainability’, ‘personal rapid transit systems’, ‘biofuel deployment and assessment’ through integrated seawater agriculture systems.

Dr. Sgouridis said: “Only through efficient vehicles and reduced vehicle use could we achieve sustainability. Energy efficiency and conservation increase fuel economy can be achieved for two billion cars from 30-60 miles per gallon (mpg) through the right size of the car with the right power. At the same time, decrease car travel for two billion 30-mpg cars could be possible by urban design, mass transit and telecommuting.

“One of the most effective ways of combating climate change would be to improve specific aspects of our everyday interaction with the environment; transportation is a case in point. Carpooling for 20km with someone already driving to where you are going instead of taking your own car can save energy to the tune of 108 MJs. Use of bikes or even walking whenever possible makes a huge difference in saving energy.”

The transport sector globally is the single highest energy consumer (around 19%) producing around a quarter of the world’s CO2 emissions. Although road transport accounts for 75% of worldwide transport CO2 emissions according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), aviation and shipping are rapidly catching up. However, the global aviation industry today contributes around 2.1% of CO2 emissions and initiatives in the use of alternative fuels for air transport are beginning to really take off.

Dr. Sgouridis added: “In Abu Dhabi, Masdar City began a year-long electric vehicle pilot project with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to look into the feasibility of having a point-to-point transport system. If successful, the scheme could not only have major implications for the future of road transport at Masdar City but for the Middle East region at large. The driverless personal rapid transit (PRT) pod cars are also being piloted at the sustainable city and the results have been encouraging.”

The workshop in Dubai also aimed to explore how intelligence can be embedded into transportation systems, how ICTs can help improve the governance of transportation systems, and analyze how intelligent systems can be used to make the community more actively participate in governance.

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, Masdar Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change.
 

 

Expert from Norway’s DNV Research Predicts Major Changes in Fossil, Renewable and Nuclear Energies, Power Systems and Shipping

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 25 December, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it organized a seminar on the ‘Technology Outlook 2020’ report to highlight future technologies in four main areas – fossil, renewable and nuclear energies, power systems and shipping.

Addressed by Dr. Thomas Mestl, Project Manager at Det Norske Veritas’ (DNV) Research and Innovation Unit, the workshop at the Masdar Institute’s futuristic Knowledge Centre was attended by more than 20 members of the faculty, students and post-doctoral researchers. The event was part of Masdar Institute’s initiative to host international thought-leaders and opinion-makers in advanced energy and clean future technology to motivate today’s students and adequately prepare them to be able to face tomorrow’s challenges.

The ‘Technology Outlook 2020’ report by Elisabeth Harstad, Managing Director of DNV’s R&I Unit, aims to exchange views and stimulate discussions about global sustainability megatrends and possible future technologies towards 2020 that could have significant impact in the energy and maritime sectors.

Dr Joe Cecchi, Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “Masdar Institute frequently hosts renowned thinkers and top corporate leaders to share their expertise with today’s graduates. Dr. Thomas Mestl’s experience in the research field makes him one of the distinctive experts who could effectively illustrate the role of research and its relevance to various industries. The seminar on the ‘Technology Outlook 2020’ report offered the participants fresh perspectives on what future holds for the humanity if technology continued at the rate of today’s rapid advancement. We are confident the students will immensely benefit from the predictions in the report and will dovetail their research suitably to meet the requirements resulting from the growth in various technologies.”

Dr. Thomas Mestl has been working with the DNV Research and Innovation for almost 15 years, mainly in the area of information and computer science. He has been involved in the preparation of various Technology Outlooks since 1999, and was the project leader for Technology Outlook 2020 as well as the previous one. Dr. Mestl has a Ph.D. in Mathematics and a degree in Precision Engineering.

Dr. Mestl said: “DNV believes that seven global megatrends will affect technology developments towards 2020. These trends include out of balance populations that is set touch 7.5 billion, a global economy that continues to move away from dollars and euros to Asian currencies, old structures of governance that struggle with new challenges, predictions that Moore’s law may still be valid beyond 2020 in information technology, energy industry that may see a decade of transition towards low-carbon, natural resources that are under increasing stress, and climate change.”

According to Moore’s law, the price of computing power keeps falling approximately 50% every 18 months.

The trend descriptions are based on DNV’s interpretation of a wide variety of material from sources outside DNV. The report foresees that the seven megatrends have an enormous potential for impacting on the development and uptake of new technologies.

Dr. Mestl added that technological evolution is more likely than technological revolution, but technology may be used in new areas like nanotechnology that will be important for developing renewable energy. Information and Communication Technology is set to permeate all technology, he added.

The Technology Outlook 2020 report predicts that increasingly more advanced subsea oil and gas production systems will be used for separation and boosting, and drilling, while intervention technology will diversify, apply smarter monitoring and increase efficiency. It has also forecast that unconventional oil and gas, mainly dominated by shale gas, will form a sizeable ratio of the energy mix, while future refineries may face stricter emission requirements, and have to be far more ‘intelligent’ then they are today.

Among the renewable sources of energy, the report predicts that while the size of onshore turbines will remain in the 3MW range, offshore turbines will increase to 10MW. Onshore turbines will probably be tailored for each specific location/terrain, while offshore turbines will be installed further from shore, requiring new solutions with respect to access and maintenance. The report also states that with the arrival of cross national super grids, offshore transmission grids will bring wind energy to onshore, while smart grids and managing variable output due to integration of renewables will all be part of the solutions for tomorrow’s needs.

According to the Technology Outlook 2020, the development of thin-film photovoltaics (TFPV) will bring solar power generation costs down to US$0.2/W by 2020, which will drive solar roof installation from 10 million in 2009 to 100 million rooftops by 2020. Also, crystalline PV, currently enjoying 80-90% market share, will increase its efficiency to an estimated 32%, while passive solar building design can decrease energy costs for heating, cooling, or lighting by 20-50%.

Concluding the presentation, Dr. Mestl said that the future will witness the application of more environmentally friendly fuels such as LNG and biofuels to some degree. While N-energy may initially struggle to get wider public acceptance, hybrid electric ship, which is described as ‘the Prius of the Seas’, may become a reality in commercial shipping by 2020.

DNV Research and Innovation is the strategic research and innovation arm of DNV, focusing on new knowledge and services with a time horizon of about five years.  The unit executes research and innovation within six strategic research themes – energy, maritime transportation, ICT, bio risk, arctic and multifunctional materials and surfaces.

DNV (Det Norske Veritas) is an independent foundation established in 1864 with the purpose of safeguarding life, property, and the environment in Norway to inspect and evaluate the technical condition of Norwegian merchant vessels.

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, Masdar Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change.
 

 

Institute of Applied Technology’s Director General Dr. Abdul Latif Al Shamsi Lauds Role of Masdar Institute at Workshop on Education

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 24 December 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology serves as a pioneer in molding a new generation of specialists in renewable and clean energy in addition to building a distinctive scientific research in this vital sector, according to Dr. Abdul Latif Al Shamsi, Director-General of Institute of Applied Technology, Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Al Shamsi’s remarks were part of his presentation titled ‘Governmental Education in the UAE’ during a workshop that was organized by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies. More than 30 students and faculty members attended the event that is part of Masdar Institute’s initiative to host renowned experts in various fields for knowledge sharing.

Speaking on the Abu Dhabi Government’s initiative to implement an integrated system for education development, Dr. Al Shamsi said it would increase technology education by 40% and create graduates capable of contributing to innovation in renewable energy.

Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi said: “Abu Dhabi’s integrated developed plan is being implemented in cooperation with all educational institutions that aim to develop a general curriculum. This is designed to build a new generation of talented UAE nationals specialized in engineering and technology, especially in renewable energy, that is required to build a knowledge-based economy in the country.

“The Institute for Applied Technology is currently focused on integrating its work with Masdar Institute and other educational institutions to provide the industrial enterprises with high-tech graduates who will have all the ingredients to be creative in the fields of technology, engineering and renewable energy. Masdar Institute of Science and Technology already serves as a pioneer in molding a new generation of specialists in renewable and clean energy.”

Masdar Institute currently offers eight diverse post-graduate programs in highly specialized areas of advanced energy and sustainable technology fields with adequate options for research and innovation. The number of awarded research projects during the year has touched 110 and they cover areas including water, environment and health, future energy systems, microsystems and advanced materials, and other ancillary fields.

Dr. Al Shamsi stressed on the need to increase the percentage of students in technology education by 40% at the high school level, which will strengthen the foundation in the secondary education development plan, and result in shaping qualified and talented UAE nationals with the capability to build a knowledge economy and meet the objectives spelt out in Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030. He also pointed out that the plan needs to include three major learning streams to choose at the middle school level. These include an education program in high schools, a secondary technical school program, and academic programs at secondary schools.

Dr. Al Shamsi said: “The proposed education system will strengthen the academic programs for high school graduates, so that students are adequately trained in acquiring workplace skills to support the technological and industrial development in the country. The special technical programs could be offered at technical colleges and polytechnic institutes to prepare students for higher diploma in various technological and technical disciplines, with opportunities to complete their academic track whenever they could.”

Dr Al Shamsi has established a school system of seven campuses located across the UAE. Under his leadership IAT achieved the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) system accreditation, to become the first secondary school to obtain this prestigious official recognition outside the US. He also led the efforts to establish higher learning institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, Al Ain International Aviation Academy, and Fatima College for Health Science in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi holds a Ph.D from the Duke University, US. He received his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Boston University.

Established in 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.