Masdar Institute to showcase innovations

Khalifa University of Science and Technology on Tuesday announced it will showcase Masdar Institute’s latest research innovations in advanced sustainable technologies and clean energy during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2020 that is part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2020.

As a research-intensive higher education institution focusing on renewable energy, advanced sustainable technology, energy storage, biofuel, and water and environment, Khalifa University will be signing collaboration agreements, while showcasing its most recent research innovations at its stand (A-411) at WFES 2020. In addition, faculty experts will participate and lead various dedicated workshops, technical sessions, panel discussions and forums at the event focusing on energy, energy efficiency, water, solar, waste and smart cities.

In addition, a total of 26 members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) programme will be honoured during the week for successfully completing their year-long schedule of mandatory programmes.

Dr Arif Sultan Al Hamadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “We are privileged to showcase Masdar Institute’s renewable and sustainable energy technology innovations at the World Future Energy Summit, which serves as the most prominent networking platform for business, innovation and knowledge exchange. We believe such gathering of technology and industry leaders will give further momentum to expedite the adoption of clean technologies, thus benefiting the communities globally.” He added: “At the same time, we are delighted to host the graduation of YFEL members who are trained to become tomorrow’s decision-makers and industry leaders driving advanced energy and sustainable technology solutions.” Other Khalifa University innovations that will be featured at the event will include the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), the Masdar Institute Solar Platform (MISP), and a nuclear project.

Dr Steve Griffiths, Senior Vice President, Research and Development, Khalifa University, will share his perspectives during a keynote panel on ‘Making a city smart and sustainable: Closing the gap between public need and available services’. Dr Griffiths will also share his thoughts on leveraging artificial intelligence in renewable energy environments and moderate a keynote panel on “Happy Cities: The goal of sustainable urban master planning”.

From the Khalifa University Centre for Membranes & Advanced Water Technology at Masdar Institute, Prof. Hassan A. Arafat, Director, will offer his views on socio-political factors impacting the sustainability of desalination during a research and development spotlight. Additionally, Dr Riaan van der Merwe, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering, will share his views on rethinking brine discharge from regional desalination.

Research centres and facilities at Masdar Institute in Khalifa University continue to lead innovation in renewable energy. Most recently, the University’s Masdar Institute Solar Platform (MISP) in partnership with Wahaj Solar installed the UAE’s first-of-a-kind concentrator to help achieve higher temperature with less mirror surface, thus enabling conversion of more solar energy into electricity. The MISP is part of the Masdar Solar Hub development launched in 2015 focused on accelerating and testing pilot scale solar technology.

Khalifa University’s Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC) completed significant structural improvements to enable better yields of the salt-loving Salicornia plant and the growth of a wider range of fish species. SBRC’s Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS) is the world’s first research facility to grow both food and fuel using desert land irrigated by seawater.

Moreover, Masdar Institute’s Research Centre for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment (ReCREMA) will showcase its recently launched Renewable Energy Management System for Saudi Arabia.

A global hub for business, innovation and knowledge exchange at the heart of ADSW, the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) is a global industry platform connecting business and innovation in energy, clean technology and efficiency for a sustainable future. The WFES 2020 will be held from 13-16 January 2020 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Khalifa University of Science and Technology is world-class, research-intensive institution that focuses on producing world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science and engineering. Khalifa University of Science and Technology endeavours to be a catalyst to the growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s rapidly developing knowledge economy as an education destination of choice and a global leader among research-intensive universities.