Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced the creation of Institute Center for Energy (iEnergy) to develop the sustainable energy enabling technologies that will contribute to Abu Dhabi reaching its goal of 7% of energy production capacity from renewable sources by 2020.

iEnergy will do this by producing knowledge and technologies that would lead to the establishment of the UAE as a global leader in sustainable energy production for supply and distribution as well as efficient use and storage of energy. The collaborative research environment that iEnergy will create within Masdar Institute and the wider regional research ecosystem will also help position the UAE as a trailblazer in energy markets of the future.

The center is to be headed by Dr. Jens Ejbye Schmidt, an internationally well-known researcher in the field of bioenergy, and a Professor in Chemical and Environmental Engineering at Masdar Institute. It will focus on facilitating research in the areas of sustainable energy production, energy efficiency, advanced materials and biochemicals for energy applications, as well as thermal and electrical energy storage.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: "The creation of iEnergy reflects our commitment to bring all energy-related research projects under a more focused group. The new center aims to generate knowledge and create technologies required to fulfill the regional and global need to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. With the support of the UAE leadership, we continue to evolve into an institution with the right infrastructure to offer solutions in clean energy. We believe iEnergy will facilitate innovations that will help Abu Dhabi become an energy hub of the future."

As a focal point for energy-related projects, iEnergy will also work closely with the Research Center for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment (ReCREMA) and the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC). ReCREMA has contributed its resources and knowledge to developing a publicly-accessible atlas of solar and wind resources, particularly for developing countries. The SBRC is a non-profit consortium, with Boeing, Etihad and UOP Honeywell as founding members. It is focused on the joint research and advancement of sustainable aviation biofuels.

Dr. Schmidt said: "iEnergy aims to achieve research excellence recognized through application of research findings locally and internationally and publication of influential academic papers, while organizing and participating in high caliber international conferences. It will also identify research directions that leverage existing strengths, align with the Institute’s strategic vision and respond to opportunities within Abu Dhabi."

iEnergy will also pool resources to support world-class research by coordinating funding opportunities and supporting strategic partnerships that catalyze external funding opportunities. Additionally, it will engage and inform domestic and international stakeholders about high-potential.

Abu Dhabi continues to achieve milestones in the energy sector, while additionally making headway in future energy with the launch of several major projects. Masdar has commissioned London Array - one of the biggest wind power projects in the UK - as well as several solar energy projects in Spain and Africa. In the UAE, Masdar’s Shams-1 solar power project remains one of the largest in the region. The creation of iEnergy builds on Masdar Institute’s efforts to pioneer renewable energy research in the UAE. 

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