Research puts UAE at center of global movement to sustainably - and simultaneously - harvest both food and feedstock for bioenergy

ABU DHABI, March 6, 2016

The world's first research facility to grow both food and fuel, using desert lands irrigated by seawater, began operations today on a 2-hectare site in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The facility, operated by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, is funded by the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), a group advancing the aviation industry's commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by developing a clean, sustainable and alternative fuel supply.

"Research and innovation underpin the UAE's ability to overcome environmental and social challenges, such as food and water security, while protecting our ecosystems, from our coastlines to our deserts," said HE Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of climate change and environment. "This project will not only sustainably produce bioenergy, but also offer a pathway to grow our aquaculture industry, which supports food independence."

Today, the UAE imports roughly 90 percent of its food - at a cost, that if left unchecked, is predicted to increase 300 percent over the next decade. But the challenge of food security is also an unprecedented opportunity to advance ideas and innovations that are both sustainable and economically viable. The Masdar Institute, along with its partners, is doing just that.

"Energy, water and food security are key, interlinked needs for the UAE. Masdar Institute is committed to supporting the country's strategic goals, and we are proud to be operating this research facility, which not only develops sustainable bioenergy and food to help fuel and diversify the UAE economy, but also serves as a training ground for a new generation of innovators," said Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, interim provost of Masdar Institute, a graduate research-based university in Abu Dhabi, and a founding member of the SBRC.

"This project reinforces Masdar City's burgeoning ecosystem of innovation and strengthens its collaborative links between industry, academia and government," said Dr. Al Yousuf. "The cutting-edge bioenergy facility also provides an example of how collaboration produces real and valuable outcomes, and will thus inspire and attract further research to Abu Dhabi."

Aquaculture - industrial fish or shellfish farming - is one of the world's fastest expanding food sectors, with a current growth rate of about 6 percent a year. While aquaculture systems can reduce a nation's dependence on foreign food and improve security, they pose environmental challenges due to the impact of nutrient-rich effluents flowing into the ocean. The SBRC tackles these concerns and is seeking to minimize the footprint of commercial farming practices.

"Aquaculture systems are here to stay," said Dr. Kevin Fitzsimmons, professor of environmental science at the University of Arizona and a globally recognized expert on aquaculture systems. "As the planet's population approaches 9 billion people, we must advance technologies that enable sustainable and manageable food production. The innovative facility in Abu Dhabi is a showcase of how cross-sector cooperation can lead to breakthrough research with the potential to deliver both food and aviation fuel - and do so in a sustainable, scalable way."

The research facility uses coastal seawater to raise fish and shrimp for food, whose nutrient-rich wastewater then fertilizes plants rich in oils that can be harvested for aviation biofuel production. The salt-tolerant halophyte plants - whose commercial potential is relatively unexplored - thrive in arid, desert conditions and don't require fresh water or arable land to grow. In the last step of the system, wastewater is diverted into a cultivated mangrove forest, further removing nutrients and providing valuable carbon storage, before the naturally filtered and treated effluent is discharged back into the sea.

"As the global community moves toward global targets to reduce emissions, aviation too is doing its part and making great progress. Sustainable aviation biofuel is poised to play an important role in meeting the aggressive emission reduction goals industry has set," said Marc Allen, president, Boeing International. "We're proud to be a part of the Abu Dhabi consortium establishing this new biofuel research facility. It shows real promise to transform coastal deserts into productive farmland supporting food security and cleaner skies."

Masdar Institute, together with Etihad Airways, Boeing and Honeywell UOP, were the founding members of SBRC. TAKREER, the Abu Dhabi oil refining company, along with Safran and GE Aviation, have since joined the research group.

"The refinement and production of sustainable aviation biofuels complements our endeavors to meet the rapidly growing demand for jet fuels in the UAE. Under the guidance of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), we are geared up to provide research and technological assistance to this ambitious project," said Mr. Jasem Al Sayegh, CEO of TAKREER.

More than 2,000 commercial flights have used sustainable aviation biofuel blended with conventional petroleum since renewable jet fuel was approved for commercial use in 2011.

"This breakthrough research places the UAE at the center of a global movement to advance technology that supports the sustainable production of food and bioenergy," said James Hogan, Etihad Airways' president and chief executive officer. "The commercialization of aviation fuels - cleaner, superior-performing fuels - is a critical step toward balancing our industry's dependency on fossil fuels, while also incubating innovation that may have profound global implications to address energy, water and food security."

The goal of the research facility is to demonstrate the viability of an integrated bioenergy production system with respect to essential food and fuel production, suitable land use, reduced carbon emissions and wastewater clean-up. If the technology proves viable at this smaller-scale, further expansion will continue with the ultimate ambition to scale up to a 200-hectare demonstration site.

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About Masdar Institute
Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) was established by the government of Abu Dhabi as a not-for-profit, private graduate university to develop indigenous R&D capacity in Abu Dhabi addressing issues of importance to the region.

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute has developed an academic and research platform that articulates its mission and vision according to critical energy and sustainability challenges.

An important characteristic of Masdar Institute is its focus on complex real-world problems that require a multidisciplinary approach for the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective. This multi-interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.

Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to some of humanity's toughest challenges, including viable clean energy and climate change, through education and research.

Masdar Institute offers degrees in:

·         MSc Engineering Systems and Management

·         MSc Computing and Information Science

·         MSc Materials Science and Engineering

·         MSc Mechanical Engineering

·         MSc Water and Environmental Engineering

·         MSc Microsystems Engineering

·         MSc Electrical Power Engineering

·         MSc Chemical Engineering

·         MSc Sustainable Critical Infrastructure

·         PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering

Please visit www.masdar.ac.ae

About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2015 carried 17.4 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to or has announced plans to serve 116 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of around 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with approximately 200 aircraft on firm order, including 66 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and five Airbus A380s.

Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.  For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com

About Boeing
Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in 150 countries. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training. For more information, see www.boeing.com

About TAKREER (The Abu Dhabi oil refining company)
TAKREER, the Abu Dhabi oil refining company, was established in 1999 to take over the responsibilities of refining operations from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). The company covers crude oil and condensate refining, the supply of petroleum products and the production of granulated sulphur. TAKREER is considered a prominent oil-refining company regionally and internationally, contributing to oil markets and to the rapid growth of the UAE economy. Since its inception, the company has maintained its position as a leading refining company with high standards and efficient refining operations that are consistent with sound health, safety and environment practices, as well as the world-class performance by both its operations and its employees. For more information, visit: www.takreer.com

About Safran
Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace, Defense and Security. Operating worldwide, the Group has 69,000 employees and generated sales of 15.4 billion euros in 2014. The Group invests in Research & Development to meet the requirements of changing markets, including expenditures of 2 billion euros in 2014. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets.

The Group comprises the following companies: Aircelle, Herakles, Hispano-Suiza, Labinal Power Systems, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, Morpho, Sagem, Snecma, Techspace Aero, Turbomeca. For more information: www.safran-group.com

About GE
GE Aviation is a world-leading provider of commercial, military and business and general aviation jet and turboprop engines and components as well as avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE has a global service network to support these offerings. GE and its customers are also working together to unlock new opportunities to grow and deliver more productivity beyond traditional services. GE Aviation is becoming a digital industrial business with its ability to harness large streams of data that are providing incredible insights and in turn, real operational value for customers. Please visit: www.geaviation.com

© Press Release 2016