World Future Energy Summit 2010

Last year's edition of the World Future Energy Summit saw over 18,400 visitors attend from 84 countries.
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“We are particularly pleased that we have received significant interest from young Emiratis in attending the Young Future Energy Leaders program, which will increase their awareness of and participation in the fields of alternative energy and sustainability,” said Dr Lammya Fawwas, assistant provost for regional affairs at MIST.

“This is just one of a number of outreach activities planned by Masdar Institute to develop Nationals into leaders in these fields, as part of the overall vision for Abu Dhabi.”

Unsurprisingly, there are a huge number of international and local companies showcasing their wares at the event this year. Amongst the biggest firms attending that will be of interest to utilities executives are GE, ADWEA and Siemens.

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WFES 2010: In quotes
“We really need to build the green economy of the future by jettisoning fossil fuels and embracing renewable energy.”
Mohamed Nasheed, the president of the Maldives, who is a keynote speaker at WFES 2010.

“A carbon price alone will not get us where we need to go unless it is supported by comprehensive regulation that will encourage and facilitate new sources of clean energy. Feed-in tariffs and rules to make sure renewable energy providers can link easily into the grid are essential to stimulate more active investment in alternative energies.”
Kevin Parker, global head of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management division.

“Exposure to the quality of experts taking part in World Future Energy Summit will help our young people develop an international perspective that will be essential to developing a global solution to energy challenges.”
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar.

Selected Summit Highlights

Monday, January 18th, 2pm
Plenary Forum 1
World Future Energy Policy – Energy Ministers’ Roundtable
As well as the interim director of IRENA, senior energy officials from Canada, Switzerland, Holland, India and Japan – as well as the UAE – will discuss how the role of renewable energy will shape the future of the planet.

Tuesday, January 19th, 2pm
Advanced Solar Technologies, Materials and Costs – Summit Room A
Executives from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Calisolar, First Solar and Schott Solar discuss the advances being made in the major PV technologies; crystalline Si, thin film and high-efficiency concentrated PV as well as concentrated solar thermal technology.

Wednesday, January 20th, 11am
Into The New Electricity Age with Smart Grids – Summit Room B
Khaled Awad, director of property development unit, Masdar, takes a look at this vital sector in conjunction with senior executives from Siemens, ENEL and RWE Effizienz.

Thursday, January 21st, 11am
Panel on Private Sector Successs Criteria for Project Finance in Sustainable Energy – Main Summit Theatre

The flow of capital for funding sustainable energy projects is crucial to the success of the world’s future energy supply. This panel brings together leading private sector financiers to discuss the criteria for successful funding in today’s challenging economic climate.

Masdar news round-up
As event host and HQ of IRENA, Masdar City will be looking to make a splash at WFES 2010

Masdar City – the carbon-neutral development currently taking shape on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi – has just signed a six major supply and installation contracts, worth around US$2.9 billion, for the world’s first 1GW offshore wind farm, located in the United Kingdom’s Thames Estuary.

Offshore work on the London Array project will start in early 2011, with phase one of construction earmarked for completion in 2011.

“The completion of these contracts marks a major step towards making the project a reality,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar.

Masdar is working on the development in partnership with Dong Energy and E.ON. Over the last few years, Masdar has invested around US$15 billion in renewable energy projects around the world and at home.

Also during December, the Masdar subsidiary, Masdar PV, saw its solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed for the first time on a commercial rooftop. The installation took place at the stainless steel tube systems company Dockweiler AG, in Neustadt-Glewe, Germany.

“We are delighted that our solar modules are now being used for the first time in a roof mounted system – shortly after having equipped the first open space solar park with them. The company Ralos has been awarded the contract for planning and installing the equipment and we are hoping to work with them on future projects as well,” said Joachim Nell, COO/CMO of Masdar PV.

Lastly, the Neutral Group, a global carbon consultancy, also chose December to announce that it is relocating its headquarters to Masdar City. The Neutral Group assists companies such as BP and DHL calculate and reduce their carbon footprint.