Masdar partnerships

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In June this year, Abu Dhabi-based solar integrator Environmena announced that it had completed the 10MW Masdar solar power plant, the largest grid-connected solar system in the Middle East and North Africa region. The 55-acre project comprises 87,777 PV modules and can produce 17,500 MWh of clean energy annually, offsetting around 1,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. Worth US $50.4 million, Environmena says the plant is one of the most cost-effective PV installations in the world.

“We are delighted that the plant is performing as expected and that we were able to deliver the installation on budget and on schedule,” said Environmena vice president Sander Trestain. “This facility proves that utility-scale grid-connected renewable energy projects are feasible in Abu Dhabi and the wider region.”

Hydrogen Energy

Hydrogen Energy, itself a joint venture consisting of British supermajor BP and Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, unveiled the world’s largest carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) scheme in January 2008. Abu Dhabi’s state-owned hydrocarbons company ADNOC is also involved in a scheme that is designed to enhance oil recovery from fields by injecting carbon dioxide into wells. The gas would then be permanently stored underground.

But earlier this year, a representative from BP told local media that a decision as to whether to go ahead with the US $2 billion project had been postponed to the end of 2010. The delay means that it is unlikely that the CCS development will be the first to go into commercial production, although it is still likely to be the world’s largest by the time it comes online.

BASF

One of Masdar’s more recent partnerships was cemented in August this year, when it teamed up with chemicals giant BASF, which has been named as a ‘preferred supplier’ of construction materials and system solutions for the city’s construction. BASF will also open an office in the development on completion.

BASF has cited its numerous ‘green products’ as being a factor behind the collaboration. These include products made from polystyrene and polyurethane for the manufacture of insulating foams for thermal insulation. Phase-change materials integrated into plaster or gypsum wall boards can be used as an alternative to air conditioning. In addition, black pigments in roof coatings prevent dark surfaces from heating up, and BASF also promotes the use of concrete manufacturing processes that lower carbon emissions by up to 60%.

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Masdar and ADNOC are working together on a number of major initiatives that are designed to reduce carbon emissions from Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas facilities. As part of the partnership, which was announced in January 2009, Masdar is identifying and developing a portfolio of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, as set out by the Kyoto Protocol. ADNOC has five CDM projects under way, with the capacity to reduce 4 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. “ADNOC’s partnership raises the bar for oil firms looking to reduce their carbon footprint. We are proud to work with Masdar so that the CDM can be used to support our efforts to reduce environmental impact and ensure a sustainable future for the industry,” said HE Yousef Omair Bin Yousef, ADNOC’s chief executive officer.

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

German applied research organisation Fraunhofer Gesellschaft inked a partnership with Masdar in June 2009 to develop a Sustainable Cities Research Centre to be based in the Abu Dhabi project.

The research centre will focus on critical technologies for sustainable cities of the future including solar energy, energy-efficient buildings, water and desalination technologies, cooling technologies, intelligent electricity supply concepts, electro-mobility and carbon footprint measurement and evaluation,” said Masdar CEO Dr Sultan Al Jaber. “The agreement also includes close collaboration with the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) and regional institutions to undertake joint research programmes and achieve the transfer of knowledge between the Gulf and Europe.”

WinWinD

In another substantial overseas investment, Masdar made its move into the wind energy market in September last year via its interest in Finnish wind turbine manufacturer WinWinD. Masdar has invested US $178 million in the Helsinki-based company, which designs, develops and assembles 1 and 3MW turbines. As a result of the partnership, Masdar now holds three seats on the Finnish firm’s board and is working to expand WinWinD’s geographic expansion in Europe, India and the Middle East.

“For WinWinD, the investment is a testament to the high quality of Finnish wind energy know-how and the increasing global demand for renewable energy,” says Lassi Noponen, WinWinD’s executive chairman. “The deal also provides us with a solid basis for developing our company further.”