August 17, 2006 Source: :
http://newsrelease.uwaterloo.ca/news.php?id=4763 UW joins Abu Dhabi international energy research network WATERLOO, Ont. (Aug. 17, 2006) -- The University of Waterloo will be the only Canadian partner in an international research network launched recently in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which seeks to develop alternative technologies for advanced energy and environmental solutions. The Masdar Research Network will connect programs from half a dozen universities and institutes in Asia, Europe and North America to take on issues of global importance, affecting the more industrially developed countries as well as developing ones. "Targeting future energy technologies, the network draws together leading international institutions and provides them with funding to perform research aimed at energy and environmental sustainability projects," said Siva Sivoththaman, a UW professor of electrical and computer engineering who studies technology development for cost-effective photovoltaic energy conversion. Sivoththaman, who also explores the next generation of spherical solar cells, said UW's contribution to the partnership will be in solar, wind and hydrogen energy through UW's Centre for Advanced Photovoltaic Devices and Systems as well as the Green Energy Research Institute. "This opens up excellent opportunities for UW researchers," he added. The research network is part of the Masdar Initiative launched earlier this year to advance clean technology and prepare for the day when Abu Dhabi can no longer prosper just by selling oil. The initiative involves a $250-million clean tech fund, a special economic zone for advanced energy industry, a graduate teaching and research institute along with a clean development company for carbon emissions reduction. The initiative addresses the need for a global focus on resource conservation and the alternative energy sector. It aims to ensure that Abu Dhabi retains and even increases its share of the global energy market. "We want to nurture an ecosystem of researchers who can work together with greater freedom in imagination," said Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company. "The Masdar Research Network will allow these universities and institutes to diversify and expand blue-sky research projects, work closely with industry in translating the research potential into benefits for citizens worldwide and cross-fertilize ideas and opportunities." Besides UW, other partners include the Energy Futures Lab of Imperial College London (expertise in systems design and carbon management), RWTH Aachen University in Germany (energy and water), Columbia University (sustainable energy), the German Aerospace Centre (solar power) and the Tokyo Institute of Technology (solar thermal systems). The Masdar Research Network seeks to conduct work on electro-dialysis technology for water desalination, advanced solar panels and solar structures for buildings. As well, the network looks at systems-level projects for carbon sequestration, cleaner transport systems, green development and urban water management. UW's green energy institute develops and promotes technologies for diversified and localized energy systems, clean energy alternatives, sustainable development and energy security. The institute furthers the university's recognized work in green energy research and innovation for sustainable environmental, social and economic benefit to society.
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