Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi Future 
    Energy Company, (ADFEC) the enetity
    executing the Masdar Initiative
       

    GreenInvest Jan 2008
   $15 bn Renewable energies
   $ 2 bn Hydrogen plant BP
   

   Explainer:

   PV : Photovoltaic  
   CSP: Concentrating Solar Power
   H2 : HYDROGEN ENERGY

   Press release  JAN 21 
   2008       Masdar and 
   Hydrogen  Energy Plan 
   Clean Energy Plant in 
   Abu Dhabi
   READ MORE>

   ECO-CITY MASDAR 

   

Masdar 
brings advanced solar technologies to Abu Dhabi
Solar technologies are rapidly becoming a major focus 
worldwide as a sustainable energy source: and 
the Masdar Initiative, Abu Dhabi's landmark program 
in sustainable energy, is driving the adoption 
of advanced solar technologies here in the UAE.   

Projects already in active development in Abu Dhabi include 
both photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power 
(CSP), providing Masdar with broad coverage of the solar sector. 

Masdar's PV projects in development include a world-scale
polysilicon factory in Abu Dhabi, which will provide the 
feedstock for additional activities such as PV cell and 
module manufacturing. Photovoltaics allow the direct 
conversion of sunlight into electricity - this is one of 
the most promising technologies in renewable energy. 
The global PV industry was estimated at 2 gigawatts (GW) 
in 2006 and is growing at 30% annually, making it one of 
the most attractive and high-growth international industries.
 


By establishing substantial local PV manufacturing capacity, 
Abu Dhabi is leveraging its financial and human resources
effectively into the high-tech, highly-skilled industries 
of the future', explained Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi 
Future Energy Company, (ADFEC) the entity executing 
the Masdar Initiative. 

Abu Dhabi knows the energy business rather well. It also 
enjoys competitive advantages allowing it to successfully 
establish these new industries, while simultaneously 
diversifying its economy and providing high-quality 
job opportunities. 

In addition, Masdar is actively investing into 
international solar companies, most recently 
investing in the German thin-film PV 
Company Sulfurcell. 

With regard to concentrating solar power, Masdar is in the 
process of contracting the United Nations Environmental 
Program (UNEP) to conduct a comprehensive solar energy 
resource assessment to evaluate the potential of large-scale 
CSP projects in Abu Dhabi. 

In tandem, Masdar and with the support of the Abu Dhabi Water 
and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) have engaged Fichtner of 
Germany to provide technical advisory services and the 
German Aerospace Agency (DLR) to provide evaluation for the 
first major solar power plant to be built in the region. 
This CSP plant would feed into the national electricity 
grid and provide opportunities for peak-power 'shaving'. 

Al Jaber added: CSP offers considerable potential for 
Abu Dhabi to become a leader in clean renewable energy, 
due to the extensive local sunshine conditions as well 
as the maturity of the technology. 

ADFEC is now developing close relationships with 
governments that are promoting and developing solar 
technologies. These relationships are helping Masdar 
to accelerate its learning curve by joining forces 
with global solar industry leaders. 

Complementing ADFEC solar projects is the Masdar Research 
Network (MRN), which is funding advanced solar research 
and development together with six world-class research 
institutes in North America, Europe and Japan. The research 
focus includes thin-film photovoltaics, spherical PV, 
beam-down solar towers and thermal storage for solar power. 

The research activities of the MRN are instrumental in 
Masdar's creation of a R&D culture in Abu Dhabi and in 
providing unparallel opportunities for 
talented UAE researchers.

source: ameinfo