Masdar, ISFOC to carry out solar technology feasibility study at Masdar City

The study will be carried out with the support of the Government of Spain which yesterday extended a 2007 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Abu Dhabi that calls for technical cooperation between the two parties in the fields of transport, environment, tourism and renewable energies.

The Masdar-ISFOC feasibility study will examine the effects of dust, ambient temperature and haze on the energy output and reliability of CPV technologies from a variety of manufacturers. A key aim of the project will be to determine whether any of the CPV technologies can be a competitive and reliable renewable energy technology for Abu Dhabi and the surrounding region. The test site will be located at Masdar City, the world's first carbon neutral community that is currently under construction on the outskirts of the UAE capital.

"Spain is a global leader in the renewable energy sphere and we are very about excited strengthening the technical cooperation between our two countries and carrying out these tests with ISFOC. This feasibility study goes to the heart of Abu Dhabi's renewable energy vision and of what Masdar is about, namely pushing the boundaries of technology, promoting innovation and above all fostering international cooperation to pave the way for the more widespread adoption of renewable energy in the future."

explained Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar.

Together with a similar project currently underway by ISFOC at Puertollano, Spain, the Masdar City study will provide valuable data that will significantly enhance the potential for the adoption and commercialization of CPV technologies worldwide.

ISFOC aims, through its various projects, at promoting CPV technologies, developing industry standards and serving as a test bed for technology and high-level training. "The CPV demonstration project with Masdar will define the master lines for future collaboration between the two institutions, promoting the exchange of knowledge and expertise in a technology that will be a major contributor to the renewable energy sector" confirmed Dr. Pedro Banda, Director General, ISFOC.

Yesterday's agreement builds on the already strong cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Spain in the field of renewable energy. Masdar is an active player in the Spanish solar energy sector through its participation in Torresol, a joint venture with Sener that is developing concentrated solar power (CSP) projects in Spain.