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Printed on 100 % recycled paper made with post consumer fibre.

2015 – Issue 04

Insi

de th

is is

sue: Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week –

converging sustainable ideas 4Humanising the IT environment 6Waste not, want not 9Eye on the prize 10Did you know? 11

Masdar delivering on UAE’s vision to address water security challenges

international organisations and all those who have been involved in the negotiation process,” said HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.

COP21 also saw the UAE join world leaders in launching Mission Innovation, a multi-billion dollar clean tech initiative; the International Solar Alliance, a coalition to advance new solar technologies; and the Masdar-initiated Global Clean Water Desalination Alliance – H2O minus CO2.

In addition, Masdar signed a Patronship Agreement with the World Energy Council (WEC) during COP21. The council is a global multi-energy non-profit organisation that promotes the sustainable supply and use of energy.

“Our industry evolves rapidly, with new innovations and technologies appearing every day, and we are first movers in the sector.

The United Arab Emirates delegation, led by HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, met with UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon at the Conference of Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change while in Paris, France, to discuss progress on the climate negotiations and reinforce the UAE’s position.

The meeting also addressed Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) – taking place from 16 - 23 January – as the next international event to take stock of COP21 outcomes, share knowledge and enhance dialogue between government and business.

“Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will be the first global event following COP21 where the focus will shift to shaping actions that can be taken and implemented by governments, businesses,

Masdar is a pioneer in renewable energy in the region and proud to be a testbed and facilitator for students, start-ups and established companies to develop and implement their new innovative projects, making renewables a viable technology of choice,” said Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO, Masdar.

A highlight for Masdar at the major global event was the opportunity to showcase its public-private cooperation model. The model focuses on forging innovative solutions to climate change, while driving initiatives leading to a diversified energy future – and to transitioning from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.

After ADSW, Masdar will continue convening different stakeholder communities through platforms aimed at galvanising groups to seize the climate opportunity.

ADSW takes the lead as platform for action after COP21

Driven by rapid economic growth, water demand in the United Arab Emirates is expected to grow by 30% by 2030, placing water security at the top of the country’s sustainability agenda.

Listed by the United Nations as one of the world’s most water-scarce countries due to its arid climate, the UAE’s growth strategy recognises the need to tackle water’s triple challenge of conservation, management and security.

In response to these challenges, the UAE Government is actively promoting the adoption and expansion of the most advanced and innovative technologies to reduce water consumption, reduce waste and costs, conserve resources and limit environmental damage.

In common with the rest of the GCC region, the UAE is reliant on energy intensive desalination plants to meet its clean water needs. So, addressing the water-energy nexus is a top priority.

Masdar, as Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, has been tasked with the responsibility to transform the desalination industry into a more sustainable model that can be used at home and across the globe.

One solution, Masdar is pursuing, is to make the desalination process more energy efficient, in part by utilising renewable energy. To this end, it launched the operational phase of a 15-month pilot-programme in the last quarter of 2015 to

identify industrial-scale and commercially viable desalination technologies that will address sustainable access to water both in the UAE and globally.

The pilot, developed in partnership with Abengoa, Suez, Sidem (Veolia) and Trevi Systems, consists of four plants that were constructed on the site of a decommissioned desalination plant in Ghantoot, chosen for its accessibility to deep seawater. It relies on four unique technologies across four independently operating plants to demonstrate commercially viability and the energy-efficient solutions.

Two categories of seawater desalination technologies are included in the programme:

advanced seawater desalination technologies – based on commercially proven systems that are being adapted to lower specific energy consumption; and innovative seawater desalination technologies – comprising new-to-market concepts.

In support of its efforts to develop clean energy desalination, Masdar joined with 80 other signatories to launch the Global Clean Water Desalination Alliance – H

2O minus CO2, at COP21, the UN climate conference held in Paris, in December.

With access to drinking water a major challenge for one quarter of the world’s population, The Global Clean Water Desalination Alliance – H20 minus CO2 is one of the few climate initiatives dealing with the water-energy nexus and climate change. The Alliance’s goal is to seek solutions that will substantially reduce the projected increase in CO2 emissions from the desalination process, as global demand for drinking water continues to grow.

Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar says: “Masdar’s association with the Alliance, clearly demonstrates our dedication to transforming the climate change narrative. The UAE is investing heavily in cutting-edge technologies to improve the energy efficiency of the desalination process. This is an integral part of Masdar’s remit as we continue to provide a platform for the development and deployment of renewable energy and low-carbon technologies locally, regionally and globally.”

The dialogue around water will continue during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) from 16-23 January. ADSW – the largest gathering on sustainability in the Middle East – is the first global platform post COP21 where world leaders, policymakers, innovators, thought leaders and investors can resume action to address interrelated challenges of water, renewable energy, sustainable development and climate change.

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, meets HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, on the sidelines of the Paris Climate Conference.

Masdar launches the operational phase of its cutting-edge seawater desalination programme with (from left): Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar; Carlos Cosin – CEO, Water, Abengoa; HE Suhail Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of Energy; Pierre Pauliac, CEO of Suez Middle East; HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar; Gerard Canton, deputy CEO, Sidem; HE Razan Al Mubarak, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi; and John Webley, CEO of Trevi Systems.

International Cleantech News

3

In its latest Medium-Term Renewable Energy

Market Report 2015, released October 2015, the

International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that

renewable energy will represent the largest

single source of electricity growth over the next

five years, driven by falling costs and aggressive

expansion in emerging economies. However,

it also urges governments to cut back on policy

uncertainties that are stalling mass deployment

in a bid to enhance future energy security and

address climate change mitigation. “Renewables

are poised to seize the crucial top spot in global

power supply growth, but this is hardly time

for complacency. Governments must remove

the question marks over renewables if these

technologies are to achieve their full potential,

and put our energy system on a more secure,

sustainable path,” says Fatih Birol, Executive

Director, IEA. The report anticipates that the share

of renewable energy in global power generation

will rise to over 26% by 2020, up from 22% in

2013. It predicts that by 2020, the amount of global

electricity generation derived from renewable

energy will be higher than today’s combined

electricity demand of China, India and Brazil. The

report also notes that deployment will continue

to move to emerging economies and developing

countries, which will make up two-thirds of the

renewable electricity expansion to 2020.

Houses across the UK could soon be powered

by geothermal energy piped in from volcanoes

located in Iceland, according to British Prime

Minister, David Cameron. This emerged following

a meeting he had with Iceland’s Prime Minister,

Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, in the Nordic

country capital, Reykjavik. In Iceland, up to 95% of

its energy requirements are served by hydro and

geothermal plant production. For the UK project

the transition, from drawing board to reality, would

require a 750-mile long interconnector that would

facilitate the transfer of energy to British shores.

Cameron also revealed that a special task force

had been established to explore the feasibility

of the unique initiative, with a preliminary report

due within six months. If the project was given a

green light, a giant hydroelectric cable could be

constructed to connect the UK and Iceland within

the next 10 years. The talks were the latest in a

series of ongoing meetings regarding the use

of Icelandic geothermal power in the UK, first

mooted in 2012.

A new Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap

and Strategy (C-SERMS) Baseline Assessment

Report from The Worldwatch Institute, puts

Caribbean Community member countries

(CARICOM) in pole position to take advantage of

untapped geothermal resources – and to become

renewable energy exporters. The first-ever report

of its kind for the region, assessed the current

energy situation and made suggestions for

renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate

mitigation, as well as setting clear targets and

actionable next steps. There are a number of

geothermal plants already under construction

in St Kitts and Nevis, and in St Vincent and

the Grenadines while exploratory drilling has

been conducted in Dominica and Montserrat.

Grenada and Saint Lucia are also conducting

on-site resource assessments and exploring

the possibility of commercial-scale extraction.

Commenting on the report its lead author,

Alexander Ochs, Director of Climate and Energy

at Worldwatch, said: “This report leads the way for

CARICOM and its member states to become global

sustainable energy leaders. We were extremely

excited two years ago when CARICOM member

states reviewed an early draft of this report at a

Meeting of Energy Ministers and agreed on the

preliminary goal of a 48% renewable electricity

share. Today’s updated and extended report adds

energy efficiency and climate mitigation to the

equation and is accessible to anyone in the region.

It provides the analysis and tools necessary

to realise the vision of an economically and

environmentally sustainable Caribbean region.”

The first three quarters of 2015 saw China’s solar

PV sector register significant growth against a

backdrop of global economic uncertainty, and

driven largely by favourable policies put in place

by the Chinese Government. According to the

latest statistics released by China’s National

Energy Administration (NEA), installed capacity

for the country’s PV power generation hit 37.95

gigawatts at end September with 31.7 gigawatts

provided by PV power stations and 6.25 gigawatts

from distributed PV power projects. In the first

nine months of the year the country added 9.9

gigawatts of PV power generation capacity, which

represented an impressive year-on-year increase

of 161%. Overall production manufacturing value

totalled in excess of US$31.5 billion for the

period January to September, the equivalent of

30% growth rate. Through to August this year,

investment in the country’s PV-related sector

hit US$10.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of

39.4%. By the end of the year, China expects its

PV sector to have accumulated installed capacity

of 43 gigawatts.

The newly elected President of the African

Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has

boldly stated that plans to bring electricity to the

poorest parts of the continent within the next 10

years are achievable. He is already implementing

a new programme, called The New Energy

Deal for Africa, which aims to extend electricity

accessibility throughout the continent by 2025.

He has also established Africa50, a platform to

work on project development, with the goal of

leveraging US$10 billion of private investment into

the energy industry over the next decade. “Africa

has a lot of sovereign wealth funds and pension

funds and we want to leverage them into energy

asset classes,” Adesina said. “Currently, around

620 million people have no access to power,

including a significant percentage of people

located in war-ravaged nations such as Somalia,

the Democratic Republic of Congo and South

Sudan.” Adesina is also keen to see aid donors

and African governments scale up investment into

energy and plans to leverage the bank’s position

to encourage private sector investment. AfDB has

also stated that it will triple its funding for climate-

related projects to US$5 billion per year, as well

as look at reforming energy pricing, utilities and

subsidy programmes in the sector with a focus on

renewable energy initiatives. It will concentrate on

a number of large regional projects like Congo’s

Inga Dam, which has the potential to generate 44

gigawatts annually; and is also behind the 310

megawatt Lake Turkana wind project in Kenya.

Saudi Electricity Co (SEC), the Gulf’s biggest utility

company has announced the winning bids for the

construction of its US$667 million Green Duba

power plant. Spanish solar firm Inteq Energia and

the Saudi Services for Electro Mechanic Works

(SSEM) were named successful bidders. They will

build the Kingdom’s first fossil fuel-fired power

plant to use solar energy production to increase

efficiency of the proposed 605 megawatt plant.

The plant will have the capacity to produce 43

megawatts of solar energy and will be built near

Tabuk along the Red Sea coast. The integrated

solar combined cycle (ISCC) plant is able to reduce

carbon emissions by increasing the amount

of steam available to drive power generation

turbines, without needing to burn more oil or gas.

The solar element of the plant will also save the

equivalent of an estimated three to four-million

barrels of fuel during the project lifespan. This

will reduce carbon emissions by between 40-

50,000 tonnes per year.

Dr Ahmad Abdullah Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar

CEO’s MessageIn a year that highlighted the exciting innovations taking place across the UAE, and finished with the critical climate change negotiations in Paris, Masdar continues to play a key role in advancing renewable energy and sustainable technologies through education, research and development for the benefit of the UAE, and beyond.

Proclaimed the Year of Innovation in the UAE, 2015 was marked by a hive of activity, heralding a number of firsts and many successes for Masdar. These ranged from the launch in Abu Dhabi of Solar Impulse 2 (the first solar-powered flight around the world), the inauguration of several clean energy projects developed by Masdar as part of the UAE’s support for economic and social development of Pacific island nations, as well as the launch of a cutting-edge desalination pilot project in Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi, targeted to significantly reduce the energy intensity of desalination.

Other key project milestones beyond the UAE’s borders included the start of the construction phase of the Dudgeon 402 Megawatt wind farm in the United Kingdom, breaking ground on construction of three additional renewable energy facilities in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and the completion of the 117 Megawatt Tafila Onshore Wind Farm in Jordan. The latter marks the first utility-scale wind power project in operation in the Middle East.

Here in the UAE, Masdar City welcomed the International Renewable Energy Agency into their new 4-Pearl Estidama-rated headquarters building, and initiated new construction and expansion plans in the City.

This past year saw the enhancement of a critical mass of tech companies located in Masdar City Free Zone. They all draw on the benefits of operating in our free zone – such as linking their R&D to research being conducted at Masdar Institute.

Masdar kicked off the UAE Innovation Week in November by inaugurating The Catalyst in collaboration with BP and Masdar Institute. It is the region’s first technology start-up accelerator focused on sustainability and clean energy.

Undoubtedly, the major highlight on the global environmental calendar was the COP21 event in Paris in early December. Masdar, along with 16 other organisations and government entities, formed part of the UAE delegation to the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, highlighting the UAE’s role as a recognised and responsible key player committed to global efforts in addressing climate change.

As we reflect on another highly successful year, I thank all our employees, partners and Masdar champions for their smart work, commitment and energy. These efforts positioned Masdar, once again, as a global leader in innovative and sustainable clean energy technologies.

It is with much anticipation that I look forward to kicking off 2016 with the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) in January, the first major highlight on the sustainability calendar post COP21. ADSW showcases Abu Dhabi and Masdar’s joint commitment for the call to action agreed on at the negotiations in Paris, by continuing turning our pledges into tangible initiatives. I look forward to seeing your support in action by attending and engaging with the ADSW’s initiatives. The new year will also herald our tenth anniversary – an exciting milestone for Masdar in a world that is now focused on the value and viability of renewable energy.

Wishing you a prosperous 2016.

Renewables to power global market growth to 2020

UK looks to theFar North forfuture power

Caribbean hot for geothermal opportunity

China solar PV sector bucks global trend

Saudi’s Green Duba plant bid win

2

African Development Bank bullish re future electrification

Masdar News

3

The UAE Minister of State and Special Envoy for

Energy and Climate Change, HE Dr Sultan Al

Jaber recently welcomed UK Secretary of State

for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, The Right

Honourable Philip Hammond, to Masdar City,

and highlighted the role that the UAE is playing

in addressing climate change, as well as how it is

advancing the clean energy industry. At a special

gathering hosted by Masdar, the UK Secretary

of State delivered a special address along with

other speakers who included the British Foreign

Secretary’s Special Envoy for Climate Change,

HE Sir David King, and IRENA Director-General,

Adnan Amin. Collaboration at all levels, across

countries and continents was the central theme

of the special sessions that examined, among

other things, how countries were working

together to address climate change and advance

renewable energy in the run-up to COP21 in Paris.

Commenting on the UAE’s role in advancing clean

technology globally, Mr Hammond said: “You

have the world’s seventh largest reserves of oil

and gas, and we all know these will continue to

be important for decades to come. But it is much

to your credit that, despite that, you are already

planning for a future beyond oil.” The UK currently

has five gigawatts of offshore wind energy

installed. Of this, Masdar has delivered 12% of

that capacity through the world’s largest offshore

wind farm, the London Array.

Two separate Pacific island nations have

celebrated the inauguration of solar PV power

plants funded by the UAE and developed by Masdar.

The tiny island country of Tuvalu is now home

to a fully operational 500 kW plant on Funafuti

atoll, while a second 500 kW solar PV and water

protection plant on Tarawa atoll in the Republic

of Kiribati has also gone live. The projects form

part of the UAE’s support for economic and social

development of Pacific island nations, while also

showcasing the viability of sustainable clean

energy development models. The projects aim

to reduce the Pacific island nations’ dependency

on imported diesel, freeing up essential financial

resources for other developmental projects. The

Tuvalu facility was funded by the US$50 million

UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund through the Abu

Dhabi Fund for Development, and will supply

electricity to over 800 homes annually, generating

783,000 kWh. It will also save 206,000 litres of

diesel each year or an equivalent CO2 emission

reduction figure of 570 tonnes. The Kiribati plant

will annually deliver 855,000 kWh to 860 homes. It

will cut back on more than 227,000 litres of diesel,

reducing CO2 emissions by 627 tonnes each year.

Commenting on the inauguration, The Honourable

Enele Sosene Sopoaga, Prime Minister of Tuvalu,

said: “The Solar Space Creation Project could not

have come at a better time as the price of fuel

has soared in recent years. This project would

contribute approximately 40% towards the Tuvalu

Electricity Corporation peak demand, which could

save more than 200,000 litres of diesel fuel per

annum.”

Masdar Free Zone, part of Masdar City, took

to the stage at GITEX Technology Week 2015,

showcasing its unique business focus on

renewable energy and clean technology. The free

zone demonstrated its offering to companies

planning to operate in an exceptional innovation-

led environment centred on the high profile

future business sectors of renewable energy

and clean technology. It also promoted attractive

start-up discounts for companies signing up

during the busy week-long trade event. Specific

advantages for free zone companies include new

100% foreign ownership, 100% exemption from

corporate and personal income taxes, 0% import

tariffs, freedom of repatriation of both capital and

profits, cost-effective licensing and quick, easy

setup competitive pricing and low running costs.

The Masdar team also highlighted the free zone’s

streamlined approach to registering businesses

through its One-stop Shop, which offers best-in-

class service. “Masdar City’s complete ecosystem

integrating knowledge, research and development

ensures tenants are uniquely positioned to

address the rapidly-growing renewable energy and

clean technology sector,” said Ahmed Baghoum,

Director, Masdar Free Zone. Leading businesses

already operating in Masdar City include GE

with its Ecomagination Centre, the Sustainable

Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), and the

BP and Masdar Institute’s The Catalyst.

The UAE and New Zealand have signed an

arrangement for the development of a jointly

funded 1 MW solar PV power plant in the

Solomon Islands. Funding for the new facility

will be split between the two countries with 600

kW funded by the UAE and 400 kW funded by

the New Zealand Government through the New

Zealand Aid Programme. Developed by Masdar,

the plant will bring clean, reliable power to the

grid in the capital, Honiara; meeting 7 % of the

Solomon Islands’ total energy needs, reducing

CO2 emissions by over 1,200 tonnes while

saving around 450,000 litres of diesel annually.

Commenting on the announcement in October,

HE Jeremy Clarke-Watson, New Zealand’s

Ambassador to the UAE, said: “New Zealand is

delighted to strengthen our co-operation with the

UAE in the Pacific region through this initiative –

providing clean renewable energy and reducing

reliance on imported fuels to support sustainable

development of the Solomon Islands.” Dr Ahmad

Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, added: “Energy security

is crucial to sustainable development. This is

particularly true in the Pacific islands that face

some of the highest fuel costs in the world. Clean

energy delivers tremendous benefits in terms

of savings and development opportunities.” The

solar PV plant is part of the US$50 million UAE-

Pacific Partnership Fund portfolio of projects.

The designer of Masdar City’s original 2007

masterplan, leading architectural luminary, Lord

Norman Foster, returned to Masdar City recently

in his capacity as Chairman and Founder of

British architectural practice Foster + Partners.

During his visit he met with senior Masdar

officials including HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber,

UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar,

Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, Dr Mohamed

Jameel Al Ramahi, COO of Masdar, and Anthony

Mallows, Director of Masdar City. He also toured

the community, which has grown significantly

since its inception and which is set to add a further

500,000 square metres of state-of-the-art space

by 2019. Commenting on his visit, Lord Foster

said: “It is fantastic to see Masdar City embarking

on its next phase of growth. Masdar City is a global

model for sustainable principles which can be

incorporated into architecture and town planning

to create integrated communities for students,

businesses and residents.” Speaking on the visit,

Dr Belhoul said: “When building a sustainable

city in Abu Dhabi was just a bold idea, Foster +

Partners was a critical partner in translating the

vision into an actionable design plan. As we enter

our next phase of growth, Masdar City continues to

apply Foster + Partners’ original design principles

of low-rise, high-density residences, sustainable

transportation, controlled growth, and traditional

Arab settlement design.” Masdar City is an urban

ecosystem, located 17 kilometres from downtown

Abu Dhabi, and offers access to knowledge,

research and development, a technology cluster

and a competitive investment free zone. Designed

to be a low-carbon, low-waste sustainable

community – 60% of which will be residential – it

is pioneering a ‘greenprint’ for cities of the future.

On the occasion of World Energy Day, 22 October,

Dr Ahmed Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, said the

annual commemoration of this event highlighted

the importance of society’s choices relating

to energy production and the environment,

while also aiming to support the policies and

solutions that increase energy efficiency across

various sectors and countries. “We remain

fully committed to the objectives of this annual

global highlight on the energy calendar. Masdar

is a leading supporter of COP 21, and wants to

highlight that the accelerated use of sustainable

renewable energies which also bring about a big

reduction of pollution, remain essential solutions

to promote climate change mitigation,” he said.

“We are confident that focused mutual efforts of

local, regional and global energy stakeholders

alike will result in positive outcomes worldwide,

for the benefit of generations to come.” Dr Belhoul

also looked towards the future, remarking that

Masdar would continue being a champion for the

deployment of clean energy to not only deliver

sustainable energy solutions that would help meet

future needs of Abu Dhabi and the people of the

greater UAE, but that would also ensure Masdar

performs as a “responsible energy player whose

priority, among others, is limiting the impact of

climate change – for the benefit of the country as

well as for the entire planet.”

Masdar welcomes UK Minister

Pacific island clean energy plants advance climate action

Partnership boosts solar power in Solomon Islands

Masdar Free Zone showcase at GITEX

World Energy Day celebrated

Masdar architect returns to the city

In Focus

4 5

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week – converging sustainable ideas

ADSW Highlights

Policy, leadership, business and awareness are key pillars that underpin this year’s calendar of events as the definitive sustainability showcase returns to Abu Dhabi.

An inclusive line-up of ministerial and community-focused activities will once again position Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) as the world-leading platform for discussion, education and debate around global energy challenges, water issues and sustainable development.

With the global population set to reach in excess of nine billion by 2030, ADSW – launched in 2013 – promotes collaborative thinking and development to accelerate the sustainable solutions needed to support rapid economic and population growth.

In 2015, ADSW welcomed around 33,500 participants from 170 countries – once again earning itself accolades as the largest gathering on sustainability in the Middle East.

Taking place in the UAE’s capital from 16-23 January, 2016 will once again bring together world leaders, policymakers, innovators, thought leaders and investors to address the interconnected challenges of renewable energy, water and sustainable development.

Four key pillars form the foundation for the week’s events and discussions:

PolicyADSW demonstrates leadership and policy in action, and will welcome the IRENA General Assembly, as well as high-level parliamentary delegations with policy discussions on the itinerary as it looks to push the sustainability agenda at various levels.

LeadershipThe world’s energy leaders will take their seats at the ADSW Opening Ceremony and Global Leaders’ Summit, demonstrating a clear commitment to effecting meaningful and sustainable change.

Business A trio of energy, water and waste events provide an international platform for the latest cutting-edge innovations, ideas, products and services. ADSW will promote long-term strategic thinking that enables global business to plan for the future.

AwarenessCommunity engagement is key to engendering awareness at all levels, from schoolchildren to parents, business people and educators. ADSW plays a vital role in growing awareness and stimulating public debate on vital regional issues of sustainability.

Opening CeremonyThe Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Opening

Ceremony is the starting point for four days of

debate, discussion and co-operation. Attended

last year by 3,700 delegates – from world

leaders and policymakers to business leaders,

scientists and academics – the ceremony truly

brings the world’s sustainability community

together.

8th Zayed Future Energy Prize Awards Ceremony 2016This year has seen a record number of entries,

totalling 1,437, spread across the Large

Corporation, SME, NPO, Lifetime Achievement,

and the Global High Schools Prize categories.

This annual award celebrates achievements

that reflect impact, innovation, long-term

vision and leadership in renewable energy and

sustainability.

9th World Future Energy Summit (WFES)The world’s foremost annual meeting

committed to advancing future energy, energy

efficiency and clean technologies by engaging

political, business, finance, academic and

industry leaders to drive innovation, business

and investment opportunities in response to

the growing need for sustainable energy.

4th International Water Summit (IWS)IWS is a global platform for promoting

water sustainability in arid regions. It brings

together world leaders, field experts, academic

luminaries and business innovators to

accelerate the development of new strategies

and technologies that will further promote

sustainable water management by highlighting

sector needs and opportunities.

5th International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) General Assembly IRENA’s ultimate decision-making authority, the assembly is made up of one representative from each member. Convened annually to provide an overall update and discuss agency issues such as budget, the adoption of reports and potential amendments to agency activities, over 1,000 participants are expected to attend.

3rd EcoWASTE ExhibitionThe leading international platform for advancing sustainable waste management and recycling, EcoWASTE is an annual gathering for international technology and service providers, local and regional buyers, and industry professionals from both the private and public sectors.

The Festival at Masdar CityLaunched to inspire UAE residents to adopt more sustainable habits through a programme of fun-filled activities for kids and adults alike, this year’s festival will feature themed educational zones plus local exhibitors promoting sustainable living solutions, organic produce, a variety of workshops for children and teenagers, music and food stalls.

Brand-new AttractionsADSW 2016 will also showcase for the first time a number of new additions to the week. These are the WiSER conference, WFES Solar Expo, WFES Sustainable Transport Zone, Future Cities Forum, Egypt Energy Forum, and the Blue Economy Summit. Although it is the second Blue Economy Summit, it’s the first time that the Governments of Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with UNESCO-Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, will host the Summit, on 19

January, as part of the week.

The Women in Sustainability, Environment & Renewable Energy (WiSER) Initiative

An ADSW first, the WiSER conference is a new action-oriented initiative created to mentor, empower and inspire women to be catalysts of innovation, industry leaders and drivers of commercial solutions, with an aim to expand and secure access to energy, water and food while mitigating climate change.

Women who inspire

A Honeywell Company

Viewpoint

5

No matter how much the human race advances,

we will always have some basic needs. Food,

water and energy are the most crucial of these,

as they are foundational for health, shelter and

overall security.

Here in the UAE, the food-water-energy nexus is

more tightly linked than perhaps any other place

in the world, and water security is a serious and

long-standing concern with significant reliance

on costly and energy-intensive desalination

technologies.

The most serious consequence of inadequate

fresh water supply is food insecurity. With 80%

of the UAE’s land being classified as desert, crop

farming would be highly dependent on irrigation,

which is a near impossibility. This results in a

dependence on food imports.

And while this country is one of the world’s richest

in terms of hydrocarbon resources, over-reliance

on this finite source of energy is not desirable.

In addition, the international air transport

sector contributes approximately 2% to global

manmade carbon emissions. These two issues

have contributed to the International Civil Aviation

Organisation setting 2020 as its target year to

achieve carbon-neutral growth for the sector.

It is for these reasons that Masdar Institute of

Science and Technology founded the Sustainable

Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC) with

Etihad Airways, Boeing and Honeywell, to help

address some of the UAE’s basic needs.

SBRC has grown, with Safran and GE joining more

recently, and the consortium’s efforts have also

evolved to target the UAE’s long-term strategic

needs. Through its Integrated Seawater Energy

and Agriculture System, the SBRC intends to

address the UAE’s water, food and energy needs

in a way that is both sustainable and economical.

Work has already begun on Abu Dhabi-based

construction of the world’s first bioenergy pilot

project, which uses desert land to produce both

bioenergy and food through seawater irrigation.

This is a good way to preserve freshwater

resources.

The system starts with aquaculture units that

use seawater to raise shrimp and fish. The waste

produced by the fish and shrimp serves as a

fertiliser that promotes the growth of the hardy

Salicornia plant. This plant thrives in deserts,

doesn’t require fertile soil and can be irrigated

with seawater, to produce crops with enough

oil and sugar content to be turned into biofuels

and biochemicals. The remaining nutrients from

the agriculture process are then diverted into

mangrove forests.

This integrated system will hopefully have five

positive outcomes. It will provide sustainable

food in the form of fish and shrimp; it will

produce renewable energy in the form of bio jet

fuels, bioethanol, biogas and green diesel from

oil-rich native plants; it can produce valuable

export products in the form of biochemicals;

it will contribute to a healthier environment

in the form of enriched mangroves; and it will

do all of this without taking away from the

country’s limited stock of freshwater resources

or farmland.

The harmonious chain that turns fish waste into biofuelsBy Dr Alejandro Ríos Galvan, Director Of The Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium and Professor of Practice at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

Inside Masdar

6 7

With a mandate to reenergise Masdar’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Department, Mohamed Humaid Al Qubaisi is banking on people, and not just technological innovation for future success.On secondment to Masdar from Mubadala,

Mohamed Humaid Al Qubaisi’s IT track record

spans several government entities and a raft of

high-profile projects with senior programme

delivery through to VP positions for Abu Dhabi

Systems and Information Center, MUSANADA,

GASCO and Mubadala.

His current role allows him to mix his love of all

things technology with a familial connection to

the clean tech sector. He explains: “My father

was involved in projects related to clean tech,

the last one being a 60-foot sailboat capable of

crossing the Atlantic using the power of the wind

and sun.

“I am a big fan of science in general, ,and

always keep up with trending technology news.

Witnessing the growing issues of climate change,

and the impact it has on our world, has made

me realise how important the clean tech sector

is to future generations, and I am very happy to

have the chance to contribute through my role at

Masdar.”

Now that he’s on the ground at Masdar, Al Qubaisi

has also had the opportunity to see some of the

company’s groundbreaking initiatives in action.

“For example, I was very captivated by Masdar’s

approach in using a classic Arabic architectural

technique and symbol of the UAE heritage – the

wind tower – to capture prevailing winds for

cooling Masdar City. Seeing how they integrated

design and technique to deal with environmental

issues right here in the heart of the City, also

interested me very much,” he says.

His goal to grow a high-performance team that

delivers best practice services and takes the

company to a new level by better linking ICT

to Masdar’s other core functions, is a work in

progress, and he is enjoying the journey.

“I enjoy the challenges along with the

opportunities. I see endless ways that ICT can

help Masdar achieve its objectives with the

support we get from the various functions. We

had an incident earlier this year relating to a

fire which affected our data centre, but we were

able to successfully recover despite the difficult

circumstances. The pressures we face will only

make us stronger and I am happy with the way

we are adapting,” he says.

Another ongoing challenge is marrying proper

planning and careful implementation to get

positive results while managing people’s results-

focused expectations.

The next 12 months will prove crucial for Al

Qubaisi and the ICT department, as he explains:

“Masdar is an organisation with great emphasis

on projects of all types, yet there is no one-

size-fits-all solution in place to support us in

that area. We are looking to deploy solutions

that make people’s lives easier and give project

progress more visibility by streamlining reporting

and other components.

“The target is to align with Masdar’s vision in

becoming one of the world’s best future cities,

and to deliver our projects using the latest best-

in-class tools.”

Al Qubaisi’s demanding work schedule is offset

by quality family time and outdoor fun on the

water with friends, either on a jet ski or boat. He

is also a big motorsport fan with the occasional

track day providing an entirely different kind of

adrenaline-fuelled environment.

Build green with one click

Seven stepsto market

Humanising the IT environment

The Future Build, an invaluable online resource that catalogues hundreds of sustainable building products, is the go-to guide – and more – for the green supply chain. The first resource of its kind developed in the Arab

world, The Future Build portal was launched in

2011 to bring together reputable, approved green

building product and materials suppliers to help

the region’s building community make informed

purchase decisions and support the wider

sustainability agenda.

Details of over 600 products are the foundation of

The Future Build website, but it’s much more than

just a simple listing. With a user-friendly, easy-to-

navigate menu ranging from green architectural

specifications and supply chain tools, to life cycle

assessments, training, updates on local green

building codes and green building news, it offers

a one-stop shop solution for green construction

materials in the region.

“The vision for The Future Build is twofold.

Firstly, it is consistent with Masdar’s holistic,

full value-chain approach to the development of

sustainability and the renewable energy industry.

Secondly, The Future Build has been developed

as a solution to a very practical problem,”

explains Faisal Saleem, Business Development

Manager.

“One of the biggest challenges we have faced in

the development of Masdar City has been the lack

of awareness around the availability of credible,

truly sustainable, local suppliers. Although we

have overcome this hurdle, it represents another

potential barrier to the adoption of similar

developments elsewhere. So, The Future Build

is our way of clearing the way for the adoption of

sustainable development,” he adds.

In 2014, the portal recorded more than 250,000

unique visitors to the website and more than

200,000 downloads. It’s also a highly effective

channel in pushing the green building agenda by

helping local companies increase their market

visibility.

On the flip side, the site filters out supposed

sustainable products, thereby assisting architects,

consultants and others in the green supply chain

to bypass potential ‘green-washing’ by providing a

definitive green guide.

“It is also important to remember that the UAE’s

economy is growing fast, and that growth will add

pressure to our national energy demands. This, in

turn, will strain both our hydrocarbon supplies

and our most valuable resource – potable water.

Through more sustainable building practices,

which result in energy-efficient, low-impact and

resource-smart construction, the region will be

able to reduce its carbon footprint and save both

costs and resources,” notes Saleem.

Managed by the Masdar Sustainability Team,

potential suppliers and products are assessed

and selected according to strict criteria set by

Masdar City, and as applied to its own physical

landscape. These include examining the full

lifecycle, environmental and social impact of

products and materials under consideration

from raw inputs and manufacturing, through to

its useful lifetime before disposal or recycling.

The Future Build assessment process revolves around seven core issues. Tick all the boxes and the sustainable marketplace is open for business. The only other requirement is payment of an annual nominal subscription fee to list products on the portal.

• Is the product made with salvaged, recycled or agricultural waste content?

• Does the product conserve natural resources?

• Does the product avoid toxic materials or emissions?

• Does the product save energy or water and minimise waste?

• Does the product contribute to a safe, healthy indoor environment?

• Is the product available locally?

• Does the supplier or manufacturer have in place fair employment practices; a safe and healthy work environment; a social, ethical and environmental risk management framework, and an environmental policy?

“The target is to align with Masdar’s vision in becoming one of the world’s best future cities, and to deliver our projects using the latest best-in-class tools.”

Mohamed Humaid Al Qubaisi

Community

7

Race to go cleanCountries around the globe are increasingly realising their responsibility and working towards accelerated fossil fuel replacement targets. Masdar Digest looks at three countries which have placed renewables on the agenda.

Asia: IndiaDespite relatively slow growth to date in the

advancement of renewable energy initiatives,

India has set itself an ambitious goal of 175GW

of renewable energy by 2022 with some media

sources indicating that this could grow to 350GW

by 2030, representing 40% of the country’s total

power generation capacity. The 2022 figure

breaks down into 100GW solar power, 60GW wind

energy capacity, 10GW small hydropower and

5GW from biomass projects. Currently, India has

around 36GW of renewable energy capacity, of

which 3GW is solar-derived. The country’s central

government has introduced a number of policy-

driven initiatives designed to push the uptake of

renewable energy including the enactment of a

national offshore wind energy policy, and support

for other power generation-centric programmes.

While plans are in place for several solar power

project auctions, the country is also seeking to

raise funds through green bonds.

Europe: SwedenThe Scandic nation has the ambitious long-term

goal of ending dependence on fossil fuels and

making the switch to renewable energy sources.

By 2050 it hopes to see its capital, Stockholm,

powered entirely by clean energy alternatives, and

the government recently committed an additional

US$546 million to renewable energy and climate

change initiatives in its 2016 Budget. Sectors set to

benefit include solar, with an 800% budget increase.

Over 66% of the country’s electricity is already

being generated by non-hydrocarbon sources,

through hydroelectric and nuclear power provision,

although it has been reported that Sweden plans

to close its ageing nuclear power plants, with no

plans to build replacement facilities.

Central America: Costa RicaThe Costa Rican Government has set the goal of

100% carbon neutrality by 2021 and with around 95% of energy production already renewables

generated, the Central American nation is on

track to meet its target. Approximately 80% of the

country’s power requirement is currently met by

hydropower and geothermal production. However,

the insecure nature of water as an available power

source has prompted the government to consider

other alternatives. In mid-2014, the government

approved a US$958 million geothermal project,

which, when its first plant is completed, is

expected to produce 55GW of electricity – enough

to power 55,000 homes. Costa Rica is now looking

to diversify its renewable energies mix with

increased focus on environmentally sustainable

technologies such as solar, small wind turbines,

and organic waste-derived biogas. It is also one of

the first countries in the region to look to electric

and hybrid transportation to achieve its carbon-

neutral target.

Art that caresArt Director for Gallery 76 at the Dubai International Art Centre, Jeff Scofield has been experimenting with sustainable themes for almost a decade. While the results of his talent warm the hearts of many art lovers, he deserves the highest accolades for his exemplary approach to caring for our environment – through his art, as well as in his personal life.An inveterate recycler, nature lover and farmers market fan, the UAE-based artist uses sustainable art as a channel to reach out to the public at large.

“In 2009 I started recycling construction materials from building sites in the UAE, and transformed them into abstract compositions with rust and concrete colours. My intention was to convey a sense of the energy of a construction site, the noise, the dust, etcetera,” Scofield says.

This was followed by a foray into 2D and 3D modes of expression using recycled paper before he began upcycling wood furniture into art objects. Scofield elaborates: “I also worked on commissioned pieces in which I upcycled sponsors’ materials into art. This in turn opened up a whole range of original and exciting creations.”

Scofield labels himself a “visual researcher”. He strives to create beautiful artwork with sustainable resources. His most recent piece, titled The City by the Sea, was conceived for the Sustaining Identity art exhibition, showcased at the Tashkeel Gallery in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai.

“I wanted to create an organic largescale work of art that would draw attention to present conditions in the UAE, and this creation addresses the identity of a place, a modern city located at the edge of the sea. We must preserve the delicate natural species in and around our cities, and protect the ecosystems in which they thrive. In this way we can maintain the wonderful biodiversity for future generations of city dwellers to enjoy,” he says.

The seashells were collected from Dubai’s open beach, and the glass jars collected by Scofield over the course of a year. The finished piece uses the grid of jars to represent the city by the sea, as he explains: “Hung on the wall like a skyline of buildings, the installation expresses the delicate co-existence between the city and the sea. It is intended as a reminder to preserve life forms and the natural environment as integral parts of a sustainable city.”

Scofield has just completed an Artist in Residence programme at the Liwa Art Hub, Abu Dhabi, where he spent over a month creating sustainable artworks from found objects. He has previously conducted sustainable art workshops at the Sikka Art Fair held annually at Al Bastakiya in Dubai, as well as participated in UAE Green Festival events. He is also planning an April 2016 group show to coincide with Earth Day, celebrated on 22 April each year.

“It’s clear that the public is very receptive to sustainable themes, which find great resonance in the art world too. Here in the UAE there is a willingness to discuss and engage in sustainable promotions, even if this sometimes appears superficial or commercially motivated,” he says.

His artworks are highly sought-after by private

collectors around the world, and he is currently

in the process of making arrangements to hang

several large installation pieces in an office lobby

here in the UAE, for the public to enjoy.

His own approach to sustainability extends

throughout everyday life. He explains: “I’ve been

recycling household waste for many years. At

home, I am careful to reduce my water and

electricity consumption to the minimum. I take

the Dubai Metro as much as possible, and my

shopping habits are to seek out natural foods and

go to the local farmers market whenever I can.

So, I’m quite conscious of reducing my carbon

footprint as much as possible.”

9

Masdar In Pictures

The CEO of Masdar, Dr Ahmad Belhoul, joining the celebrations at Masdar City during Flag Day.

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of Sustainability at Masdar and Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, during the WiSER event at COP21.

Champions for clean energy and climate change action: (left to right) British Foreign Secretary’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, His Excellency Sir David King, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, The Rt Hon Mr Philip Hammond, UAE Minister of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, and the Director-General of IRENA, Adnan Amin.

Masdar turns the tap on for its cutting-edge seawater desalination programme with a tasting of the fresh water being produced – from left: HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar; Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar and HE Suhail Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of Energy.

Members of the WiSER event at COP21. His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State, Chairman of Masdar and Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize (Centre) and Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar (Second Right) and Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of Sustainability of Masdar and Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize (Far Left)

Masdar CEO Highlights Renewable Energy as Viable Technology of Choice at UN Foundation Earth to Paris Panel

Masdar staff and visitors to Masdar City during the official hoisting of the UAE flag, part of the activities in the City to commemorate Flag Day.World Energy Council and Masdar sign patronship agreement to address global sustainable energy access.

8

GE Water’s new GE ZeeLung Membrane

Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR), and

Monsal’s anaerobic digestion technology and

Jenbacher gas engine, together represent

the future of energy-neutral wastewater

treatment plants. Their integration creates

an opportunity to enhance the performance

of wastewater treatment and to transform

wastewater treatment plants into resource

recovery centres that yield clean water

and renewable energy. Leading utility

companies around the world have already

demonstrated elements of this system.

Implementing the complete energy-neutral

process across the wastewater treatment

sector would lower energy use by 82TWh per

year, enough to fully offset the treatment

process itself. GE is currently testing the

ZeeLung MABR water treatment technology

in the US city of Chicago.

Insight Features

9

The first complete energy-neutral wastewater treatment process in the region is set to become a reality through Masdar and GE’s groundbreaking Ecomagination 2020 Partnership. The treatment of wastewater is an energy

intensive process that places heavy demands on

local government budgets, eating up 35% of total

annual funding in countries like the US.

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the

realities of the energy impact of water treatment,

Abu Dhabi is yet again the testbed for innovation

as it looks to set targets that will reduce the

carbon footprint of the water treatment sector.

Every year, wastewater treatment consumes an

estimated 82TWh globally, or the equivalent of

annual usage in 82 million US homes.

It’s not widely known outside of industry circles

that because wastewater contains enough energy

to power its own treatment, consumption at this

level is completely unnecessary. It can also be

treated and reused, potentially providing a new

source of renewable electricity.

Using GE’s portfolio of energy-neutral products,

the recently unveiled Ecomagination 2020

Partnership will see Masdar and GE team up to

implement the first complete energy-neutral

wastewater treatment process.

Abu Dhabi will be the first destination in the region

to industrially trial the process, after which it will

be scaled up for launch across the region, with the

aim of helping to reduce the carbon footprint of

wastewater treatment and expand the availability

of treated water for reuse.

Masdar’s role will be to focus on the development

and management of projects implementing this

technology, and taking it to the region, while

GE will provide water treatment and energy

generation equipment, data collection, and

analytical expertise. It will also finalise a system

design and evaluate the system’s operations.

The project will first serve as an industrial demonstration of this process in Abu Dhabi, whereafter the solution will be scaled across the region, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment and to expand the availability of treated water for reuse.

Waste not, want not

The technology

11

Snapshot

10

As the countdown to the announcement of the Zayed Future Energy Prize 2016 winners begins, the 29 shortlisted finalists once again represent the best of the best in global innovation.A record 1,437 entries were submitted for this year’s Zayed Future Energy Prize. Details of the nine winners from across five categories, which were selected from a shortlist of 29 organisations, individuals and schools, will be revealed at a gala awards ceremony on 18 January 2016.

Following the closing deadline of the six-month window of opportunity for prospective submissions, the process of selecting standout examples of innovation and leadership in the field of renewables advancement falls to several evaluation committees, and a high-profile jury comprising heads of state, senior ministers, government economic advisors, business visionaries and educators.

The four-step evaluation process takes two months to reach conclusion, reviewing each category based on the prize’s four criteria: impact, innovation, leadership and long-term vision.

All submissions are subjected to due diligence, conducted by a recognised international research and analysis firm, to ensure that they meet the stringent prize conditions.

The Review Committee meets to evaluate and score entries to agree a shortlist across the three main categories: Large Corporation, Small and Medium Enterprise, and Non-Profit Organisation.

The Selection Committee subsequently reduces the shortlist to a group of finalists. This year the inaugural Global High Schools Committee also convened to evaluate, score and select its own shortlist of finalists.

Wrapping up the exhaustive process, the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury then meets in person to deliberate the entries and elect the winner in each category. The Jury also decides the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The record number of entries exceeded last year’s count by over 300 and originated from 97 countries.

Commenting on the conclusion of the evaluation process, Chair of the Zayed Future Energy Prize

Jury and President of the Republic of Iceland, HE Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson said: “This has been another outstanding year for the Zayed Future Energy Prize. The winners that we have identified, will lead by example as shining lights that offer a path towards a more sustainable future.”

Chair of the newly inaugurated Global High Schools Committee, Dr Abdulla Ismail Alzarouni, Assistant to the President of Rochester Institute of Technology, said: “Increasingly the Global High Schools category is inspiring the next generation of leaders to think about how they can shape a world that thinks and acts sustainably, and that will ensure a future with energy access for all. Selecting the 14 finalists out of the 189 submissions in this category was an incredibly difficult task.”

The prize is now in its eighth year, and its impact continues to grow. Today, the prize impacts over 150 million people across the globe, through improved access to water, energy and food,’ said HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

“This continued growth reinforces the prize’s influence in inspiring and rewarding the world’s innovators and creating a robust, shared knowledge-economy. To this end, our evaluation process plays a vital role in ensuring that the prize not only continues to empower, but is also held in high regard right across the world,” he added.

• HE Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of the Republic of Iceland and Chair, Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury

• Dr Han Seung-soo, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Water and Vice-Chair, Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury

• HE Felipe Calderón, former President of Mexico

• Adnan Z. Amin, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

• Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the UN Foundation

• HE Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, President and Speaker of the Federal National Council and Member of the Executive Council – Abu Dhabi

• HE Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman of Global Marketplace, Abu Dhabi

• Ratan Tata GBE, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons

• Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group

• Dr Mohamed A El-Erian, Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz SE and Chair of President Obama’s Global Development Council

Large Corporation (recognition award)BYD, ChinaIberdrola, Spain

Infosys, India

Non-Profit Organisation (US$1.5 million prize)Kopernik, US

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, Netherlands

SolarAid, UKRural Services Foundation, Bangladesh

Small & Medium Enterprise(US$1.5 million prize)Green Energy & Biofuels, NigeriaGreenlight Planet, IndiaOff.Grid:Electric, Tanzania

Global High Schools (US$100,000 project grant for each regional winner)

AfricaMfantsipim School, GhanaSOS HG Sheikh Secondary School, SomaliaAbaarso School of Science & Technology, Somalia

AsiaMahindra United World College of India, IndiaRoyal College, Sri LankaKorea Science Academy of KAIST, South Korea

AmericasManuel Picasuti High School, BoliviaProfessional Technical High School Juanacatlán, MexicoInstitución Educativa Gabriel Plazas, Colombia

EuropeBelvedere College, IrelandSchuelerforschungszentrum Suedwuerttemberg, Germany

OceaniaCashmere High School, New ZealandHuonville High School, TasmaniaLume Rural Training Center, Vanuatu

The shortlist

The Jury

Eye on the prize

Features

Did you know?

11

Sustainable Transport Zone at WFES

Events

A solar rooftop programme is an initiative where solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are installed on the roofs of buildings to generate power. Such programmes can help reduce emissions; a result achieved by Masdar in Abu Dhabi, with the reduction of 3,220 tonnes per annum.

Rooftop Solar

The Abu Dhabi Solar Rooftop Programme saw Masdar install solar PV panels on systems on the rooftops of 11 government buildings in the city. The programme was designed to inspire the adoption of these alternative systems for clean energy by individuals and companies.

In 2014, Masdar launched a wind farm project in the Sultanate of Oman, set to be the biggest of its kind in the GCC. Located in the Dhofar region, once operational, the 25-turbine farm will have the capacity to deliver power to 16,000 homes and mitigate 110,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Masdar City has its own MRF where materials such as 6,500 tonnes of timber have been taken from landfill and a portion used for design purposes. The waste management system in Masdar City seeks to be low-waste, with facilities that will eventually minimise landfill waste and maximise resources as well as the opportunity to recycle and reuse materials.

Jargon buster

18-21 January 2016 – Abu Dhabi, UAE

Single Stream Recycling

Wind Farm

This system of recycling collects and combines all kinds of recyclables including fibre, glass, metal, newspapers, cardboard and plastic containers in a single bin or receptacle. This is then collected and transported to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where it is separated into different commodity streams.

A wind farm is a collective group of wind turbines sited in a specific location with the purpose of generating electricity by ‘harvesting’ wind power. The farms, which vary in size from a few dozen to hundreds of turbines, cover extensive tracts of land that can also be used for agricultural or other purposes at the same time.

The Solar Power North Africa Conference will be held from 8-11 February 2016 in Cairo, Egypt. It will discuss steps to drive the development of the region’s solar energy sector, with a focus on Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia. The conference will also provide a platform for project holders, government authorities and research institutions to discuss how to overcome market challenges, as well as source global expertise to overcome them. Key regional stakeholders will highlight upcoming projects across North Africa and review opportunities available for international solar energy developers, solution providers and investors.

Solar Power North Africa8-11 February 2016 - Cairo, Egypt

www.solarpowernorthafrica.com

www.icodeconference.com

www.worldfutureenergysummit.com

The Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, in collaboration with Elsevier, will host the second edition of the conference, which represents an opportunity for academics and members of the desalination industry to meet with distinguished scientists from around the world, and discuss progress in the fields of desalination and water treatment. The conference aims to foster opportunities for scientific cooperation among national, regional and international institutes actively involved in desalination and water sciences research.

23-26 January 2016 - Doha, Qatar

2nd International Conference on Desalination & Environment

With the global urban population set to reach in excess of 9 billion by 2050, radical new transportation solutions are needed to avoid ever greater fossil fuel consumption, congestion and pollution. As part of the 2016 World Future Energy Summit (WFES) programme line-up, the new Sustainable Transport Zone will chart a route towards tomorrow in a region of transformation and opportunity.

January 16 — 23 2016

Abu Dhabi Sustainability WeekA global forum addressing the challenges of sustainable development

adsw.ae

Fostering Innovation, Empowering Action

High-level dignitaries attending ADSW 2016:

H.E. Dr. Abdelkader Amara: Minister of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment, Kingdom of Morocco

H.E. Eng. Suhail Al Mazrouei: Minister of Energy, United Arab Emirates

H.E. Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza: Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Bahrain

H.E. Dr. Hazim El-Nasser: Minister of Water and Irrigation, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

H.E. Laurent Fabius: Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Republic of France

Hon Piyush Goyal: Minister of State - Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Republic of India

H.E. Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili: Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Malaysia

H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Saif: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

H.E. Mr Adnan Amin: Director General, International Renewable Energy Agency

Dr. Yvo De Boer: Director General, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)

Mr. Miguel Arias Cañete: Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action, European Commission

Mr. Felipe Calderon: Chairman, Global Commission on the Economy and Climate

Mrs. Christiana Figueres: Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Ms. Rachel Kyte: Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL)

Mrs. Marie-Jose Nadeau: Chair, World Energy Council (WEC)

12

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Masdar Digest is a quarterly publication produced by Masdar’s Marketing and Corporate Communications Unit.

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