PIONEERING INNOVATION AT MASDAR CITY

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1 PIONEERING INNOVATION AT MASDAR CITY

2 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS MASDAR CITY IS ON A JOURNEY TO BUILD THE WORLD S MOST SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT. DRIVEN BY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF SMART DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY AND BY DEPLOYING PILOT PROJECTS, IT IS SHAPING A GREENPRINT FOR HOW CITIES CAN ACCOMMODATE DENSE POPULATIONS AND REDUCE ENERGY, WATER AND WASTE. AT THE HEART OF MASDAR CITY IS THE MASDAR INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, THE WORLD S FIRST INDEPENDENT GRADUATE-LEVEL UNIVERSITY DEDICATED TO PROVIDING REAL- WORLD SOLUTIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES. COMPANIES AT MASDAR CITY CAN CO-INNOVATE WITH THE MASDAR INSTITUTE, WHICH ACTS AS AN INCUBATOR FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION, TO ACCELERATE BRINGING CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES TO MARKET. Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS) for Masdar City Eco Villa The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is assessing the viability of a Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS) to optimise energy use within homes. This research also seeks to determine how such a system can be best integrated into buildings to enhance building occupant comfort while reducing energy consumption. The system selected for the Masdar City Eco-Villa project will be tested and evaluated to make sure the SHEMS is effectively integrated for the benefit of the building s occupants and that intelligent control algorithms can yield actual energy savings. Potential pilot or commercial projects include the adoption of one of more SHEMS for existing and future buildings at Masdar City. Potential pilot or commercial projects include the adoption of one or more SHEMS for existing and future buildings at Masdar City. Assessment of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) for Indoor Comfort Control at Masdar City Eco-Villa Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) is a cooling and ventilation system that includes compressors and evaporators connected to a single condenser. The aim of the technology is to provide highly energy-efficient cooling for villas with high thermal comfort for occupants. To secure significant energy savings, Masdar and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are modelling several VRF systems. The VRF system selected for the Masdar City Eco-Villa will be modelled, tested and evaluated in order to provide insights into implementing highly efficient and comfort enhancing cooling systems in villas. Modelling of Microclimate in the Urban Environment and Mitigation of Heat Island Effect Certain aspects of urban infrastructure such as building orientation and construction materials can cause a city s temperature to increase. This Urban Heat Island Effect can greatly increase energy consumption by requiring additional cooling, making it a sustainability challenge. Masdar City, as a sustainable urban development, has been designed to reduce this effect, making it an ideal site for modelling the local urban microclimate. Masdar and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are working together to study the impact of sustainable urban design on urban environments. The project has two main objectives: to better understand the exact causes of the phenomenon, and to propose measures capable of reducing the effect. Through better understanding the Urban Heat Island Effect, Masdar Institute researchers aim to quantify the costs and impact of possible remedial measures designed to enhance outdoor comfort in cities. Current and future occupants of Masdar City are expected to reap the benefits of these pilot initiatives that will help to realise longer outdoor seasons and a more temperate urban environment. Modelling of Chilled Water Storage (CWS) for Effective Energy Control in Building at Masdar City Masdar and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are modelling scenarios to store cold water produced by existing cooling systems within buildings. During peak usage, the cold water can be used to add more cooling power to a building. This smart use of water can reduce peak-time electricity consumption and enable the use of smaller and lower cost cooling systems. This in turn, can lead to significant cost-savings during high-usage periods, such as the hot summer months in Abu Dhabi. The results of the project will support the final design and operation of the Masdar City district cooling plant. Future reduced peak electricity consumption may yield additional cost savings for the City's occupants and building owners. From June to September, Abu Dhabi charges higher peak electricity tariffs for industry between 10:00am and 10:00pm. With an optimised design, Masdar City is preparing for a future of smart energy prices for all electricity consumers. Feasibility of District Cooling Powered by Geothermal Energy for Masdar City In district cooling chilled water is delivered and pumped through buildings to reduce environmental temperatures. This makes it a fairly efficient method of supplying cooling to an urban environment. The vast majority of such systems, however, use fossil fuel based electricity, which reduces their sustainability. To devise a more sustainable form of district cooling, renewable energy, particularly geothermal energy, is being explored as an alternate power source. Masdar City has developed geothermal wells at a depth of 2,500 metres to demonstrate geothermal applications. Masdar and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are now investigating the technical feasibility and economic viability of using geothermal energy for cooling purposes. Masdar City is considering a geothermal pilot project, which would be the first high profile application of deep geothermal energy in the Middle East.

3 Research Centre for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment (ReCREMA) The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology s ReCREMA is a one-of-a-kind real-time solar mapping tool producing solar maps at 15 minute intervals. The generation of cost-effective solar power requires a deep understanding of the solar resources locally available. Masdar Institute's Research Centre for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment (ReCREMA) is providing this critical knowledge through specific and highly accurate solar assessments. Advanced Cooling by Liquid Desiccant The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is currently developing advanced cooling solutions through separating the cooling of the sensible and latent heat. The latter will be treated by a novel approach using liquid desiccants and the integration with other innovatve components. The technology is expected to be piloted in Masdar City. LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT TO ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND YAS ISLAND RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND PILOT FACILITIES: 1 Masdar Solar Hub: Photovoltaic Test Centre 2 Masdar Solar Hub: CPV Testing Facility 3 Masdar Solar Hub: Masdar Institute Solar Platform 4 Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS) / Food and Biofuel 5 Electric Energy Storage Solutions Hub 6 Masdar City Eco-Villa Prototype 7 Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS) 8 Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) System 9 Masdar City Construction Waste Management Masdar Institute for Science and Technology Field Station 11 Feasibility of District Cooling powered by Geothermal Energy for Masdar City Masdar Institute Assessment of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) for Indoor Comfort Control at Masdar City Eco Villa Modelling of Microclimate in the Urban Environment and Mitigation of Heat Island Effect Modelling of Chilled Water Storage (CWS) for Effective Energy Control in Buildings Research Centre for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment (ReCREMA) Advanced Cooling by Liquid Desiccant - LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT TO DOWNTOWN ABU DHABI GROUP RAPID TRANSIT (GRT) PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT (PRT) PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT (PRT) EXTN PUBLIC BUS ROUTES

4 RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND PILOT FACILITIES Masdar Solar Hub The Masdar Solar Hub aims to become a globally recognised centre of excellence in the areas of photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal energy technologies. The Masdar Solar Hub is jointly managed by Masdar and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. It fills a crucial gap in the technological development and demonstration of innovative solar energy systems. Masdar Solar Hub: Photovoltaic Test Centre The Photovoltaic Test Centre, operated by Masdar in collaboration with Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and TÜV Rheinland, provides independent and accurate measurement of the performance, reliability and durability of PV modules, the coatings of PV modules, and other PV related equipment. Activities include: energy yield testing, long-term outdoor exposure testing, soiling analysis, coating evaluation, and the research, development and analysis of PV modules and equipment. The Photovoltaic Test Centre opens its doors to industry partners seeking to use its knowledge base and facilities. Masdar Solar Hub: CPV Testing Facility A joint initiative of Masdar and the Spanish research organisation Instituto de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos de Concentración (ISFOC), the Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) test facility allows the testing of CPV systems in Abu Dhabi s desert climate conditions. Testing of these systems allows the study of the effects of dust, elevated ambient temperature and haze on energy output. Data obtained from this facility will be relevant for the design of future CPV technology used in the UAE and the deployment of CPV technology in the wider Middle East. Masdar Solar Hub: Masdar Institute of Science and Technology Solar Platform The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology Solar Platform (MISP) seeks to position Abu Dhabi as a leader in innovative solar energy solutions. It features a unique Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) test facility that uses a 'beamdown' tower to reflect sunlight twice, once from the rings of heliostats to the central tower and once from the tower down to a collection platform at the system's base. Scientists can focus the sunlight on a very small area and produce concentrated solar energy with a temperature of up to 1,100 degrees Celsius. The 'beamdown' and other systems at MISP enable Masdar Institute to research, develop, test and demonstrate solar thermal energy and storage solutions. In the coming years the Masdar Institute Solar Platform will continue to pursue its primary objectives through collaborative projects to test and develop concentrated solar power CSP technologies and thermal energy storage (TES) systems. The platform will be leveraged to develop technologies that decrease the cost of CSP and TES in order to facilitate economic integration with local as well as international energy systems. Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS) The Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS) research facility is an initiative of the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC). It aims to support the Middle East s first commercially-viable domestic aviation biofuel industry and contribute new and innovative ways for the UAE to boost its agricultural production while balancing its interlinked water, food and energy needs. SEAS uses seawater to raise fish and shrimp for food, whose nutrient-rich wastewater is then used to fertilise oil-rich and saltwater-tolerant salicornia plants. Salicornia is later harvested to produce aviation biofuel and biochemicals. In the last step of the system, wastewater is diverted to a cultivated mangrove forest, which naturally filters the water while removing carbon from the atmosphere before the naturally treated water is discharged back into the sea. The SBRC was established by the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, together with Etihad Airways, Boeing and Honeywell UOP, as its founding members. Takreer - the Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company, Safran and GE Aviation have since joined the research group. Electric Energy Storage Solutions Hub Most renewable energy sources are subject to natural phenomena that can disrupt electricity supply. Storing produced electricity for seconds, minutes, hours or days enhances the effectiveness of renewable energy by offering flexibility and continuity of power supply. Masdar has already started using electricity storage in some of its projects. In response to global interest, Masdar and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are now designing and developing an Electric Energy Storage Hub in Masdar City to further advance energy storage technology and enable cost-effective energy storage solutions. The Hub will combine an outdoor test stand with indoor laboratories to develop and refine research into electric energy innovations in partnership with industry. The test stand will also enable the real-time simulation of various micro grid scenarios, inviting industry and researchers to utilise it to optimise their inventions and ensure the feasibility of their application to real-world usage.

5 Masdar City Eco-Villa Prototype The Masdar City Eco-Villa project reflects the vision of the UAE's leadership to create sustainable Emirati housing projects to suit the lifestyle options of the future. Masdar City will be the location for a prototype net zero energy villa using photovoltaic (PV) energy. The 4 bedroom Emirati family villa with two outdoor areas will cover a total plot area of 900 sq m with a gross floor area of 405 sq m. Various options for the external shell construction are being studied prior to final selection, and thorough research is being carried out to identify the most suitable and sustainable interior design applications. The Masdar City Eco-Villa will serve as a testing and demonstration prototype for advanced sustainable home appliances, technology, and materials. It is hoped that the villa will achieve a minimum 3 pearl Estidama rating. Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) System Masdar City s unique Personal Raid Transit (PRT) system provides safe, clean, driverless transportation between the Northern Car Park and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology campus. The system serves as a pilot for future urban transport solutions and has been in operation since It has recorded steadily growing usage, including a 15% increase in passenger traffic in 2015 alone. The system is to undergo an expansion to connect the Masdar Institute campus with the Masdar City centre, including the International Renewable Energy Agency HQ, community mall, hotel and office complex. Masdar City Construction Waste Management Construction Waste Management at Masdar City continues to work towards minimising waste by reusing and recycling all waste steel, concrete and wood. For this reason, the majority of Masdar City construction waste is taken by contractors to the onsite Material Recycling Centre (MRC), where it is then separated. Wood is stockpiled for reuse or processed in a wood chipper to supply landscaped areas. Steel, other metals and plastics are collected and sent offsite for recycling. Concrete waste is ground down for reuse in construction. As Masdar continues to expand, the Construction Waste Management programme will receive construction waste material from other construction projects. Masdar Institute of Science and Technology Field Station The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology Field Station is a stand-alone building with advanced cooling and daylighting systems, among other features. It will soon be fitted with building-integrated photovoltaic panels. The building's cooling plan consists of a water chiller and a double enthalpy wheel air-handling system. It relies on radiant floor cooling technology to address the sensible portion of the cooling load. The prototype day-lighting system is active and relies on two sun-tracking daylight collectors on the roof for collecting daytime sunlight. The Field Station is scheduled to serve as a pilot for microgrids, cool storage, ventilation air-conditioning by liquid desiccants, in-building direct current supply and a zero ozone depleting chiller based on ammonia. Masdar City s Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system uses solar-powered electromagnetics to enable driverless cars to navigate the City and link to the future Metro station.

6 Masdar City PO Box 54115, Abu Dhabi, UAE 800 MASDAR (627327)