Sandooq Al Watan launches new CENTURIUM Prize Challenge to minimise risk to marine environment by reducing brine discharge

• The objective is to develop construction material from brine which is produced from desalination processes.

• A total prize purse of AED3.4 million awaits the participants, with the final team winning the grand prize of AED2.5m.

Abu Dhabi – Sandooq Al Watan, the national initiative launched by prominent Emirati businessmen to support research projects for the post-oil era, is set to organise a new CENTURIUM Prize Challenge named ‘ReThink Brine’ to find ways to reduce the quantities of the brine discharge produced by desalination processes.

The Centurium Prize initiative includes a series of international scientific competitions aimed at stimulating students, researchers, scientists, federal and governmental entities, and private companies to find innovative solutions for some of the biggest challenges facing the UAE in various sectors.

The Challenge is sponsored by the Environmental Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Aldar Properties in partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). The competition seeks to protect the Arabian Gulf ecosystem and marine life; enable an eco-friendly construction and real estate sector; address the UAE’s water scarcity challenges; and support the UAE’s Water Security Strategy 2036.

H.E. Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), said: “While the desalination of sea water has enabled communities to flourish in the arid conditions of the desert, the by-product of desalination, brine, affects the health of marine ecosystems. Brine discharge increases the salinity of the surrounding sea water, causing a reduction in oxygen levels that, in turn, impacts marine life. As the environmental regulator of Abu Dhabi, conserving nature and biodiversity is one of our fundamental responsibilities and addressing brine discharge is one of EAD’s top priorities.”

“Solving this complex problem is a challenge – not just in the UAE, but across the world. Through this exciting partnership with Sandooq Al Watan, Abu Dhabi is taking the lead in finding an answer to the question of how we manage brine discharge in a sustainable way. I know our community of innovators in the UAE will embrace the challenge to find a long-term solution, where the returns can be both environmental and economic and I look forward to seeing the ideas that come forward.”

H.E. Talal Al Dhiyebi, Chief Executive Officer at Aldar Properties, said: “As a long-standing partner to Sandooq Al Watan, we are proud of the role that we are playing in supporting a bright and sustainable future for the next generation of UAE Nationals. Our involvement with Sandooq Al Watan is a centrepiece of our sustainability strategy that we have built around five pillars: economy, community, people, environment, and governance. Core to our mission is identifying topics that matter to our community and working with partners to solve problems, in particular those impacting our environment. Finding a meaningful use for brine discharge is an incredibly important challenge. If the discharge can be turned into construction material, this will further Aldar’s goals of reducing its impact on our planet and supporting R&D efforts into more sustainable building methods.”

• E. Ahmed Fikri, Acting Director General of Sandooq Al Watan said: “This challenge is in line with our leaderships’ vision and Sandooq Al Watan’s mission by supporting environmental sustainability in the country. Sandooq Al Watan seeks to collaborate with governmental and private entities in the UAE to support innovators and researchers in their journey and promote sustainable development. We are delighted to be joining forces with three influential sponsors and partners for this challenge: the Environmental Agency – Abu Dhabi, Aldar Properties, and EWEC. We are confident the combined expertise and know-how of all partners involved will ensure the competition’s success, and help achieve the sustainable objectives behind it.”

 “The competition is in response to the increase in brine discharge, a by-product of desalination processes that increases water salinity and has an adverse impact on marine life,” added H.E. Ahmed Fikri, Director General of Sandooq Al Watan. “Modern, efficient and cost-effective methods of desalination have increased the reliance on the process leading to increased salinity in sea water. However, few viable solutions are currently available for addressing brine discharge. Therefore, we are aiming through this Centurium Prize Challenge to find a solution to reduce this negative impact by finding an offsetting economic value for the dry residue, such as using the brine discharge in the construction sector.”

Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said: “Sustainability flows throughout EWEC’s mission. We are developing pioneering new ways to more efficiently and sustainably produce water and electricity, using advanced technologies to reduce the carbon intensity of the system. We are delighted to be partnering with Sandooq Al Watan to support the ReThink Brine Challenge, facilitating researchers in their efforts to find a valuable use for brine discharge, and providing our expert insights and knowledge to redefine what is possible to empower a sustainable future. This bold partnership will lead change in the sector and work towards the achievement of the UAE Water Security Challenge 2036.’

The CENTURIUM prize is part of the “researcher.ae” platform, an initiative by Sandooq Al Watan, which has so far supported 168 researchers in the UAE. The challenges and funded projects under “researcher.ae” include teams from different backgrounds and expertise including environmental science, healthcare and industry experts.

The CENTURIUM prize team will conduct virtual sessions in coordination with the local universities in the UAE to further explain the challenge’s details and answer any questions from interested participants.

A judging committee of experts and representatives from sponsoring and partnering and other entities will oversee the competition, where a total prize purse of AED3.4 million will be awarded in increasing steps as ideas are screened. The winning team will take the final prize of AED2.5m.

Once the teams are formed, the Challenge will go through four rounds. In round one, teams are required to submit high-level Proposal Summaries explaining the research approach by September, 2020, where the entries shortlisted for the second round would be announced by October, 2020. Round two will see remaining teams submit a Detailed Proposal with conceptual designs, research method, full project description, and all required information by February, 2021.

On April, 2021, five teams will be shortlisted to proceed to round three – Prototype Development – where each of them will receive AED25,000 (Milestone 1 Prize). Round three requires teams to submit a Prototype able to handle 100-200 litres of desalinated water by September, 2021. Three teams will be shortlisted to proceed to round four – Proof of Concept – by October, 2021, winning a monetary prize of AED250,000 each (Milestone 2 Prize).

By April 2023, round four will see the finalists present their final proof of concept, demonstrating its ability to handle 3,000-4,000 litres of desalinated water, and showcasing the final construction material that has been developed. The judging panel will then assess all final submissions and select the winner of the AED2.5 million grand prize.

Participants can spend the Milestone Awards at their discretion, as long as it is used to complete their projects. After being reimbursed for all costs incurred during the competition, the final winner can allocate 50% of the grand prize for personal use, while the remaining amount is spent on further developing the final product.

-Ends-

About Sandooq Al Watan

Sandooq Al Watan is a community initiative launched by a group of prominent Emirati businessmen that seeks to promote a sense of social cohesion in Emirati society. The initiative aligns with the UAE leadership’s vision for a sustainable development and a better future for the country and its citizens. It is rooted in the UAE’s national values of charity, generosity and social solidarity, and synchronises community efforts to forecast and plan for the future. It seeks to steer investments into the UAE’s human capital with projects and initiatives that focus on the strategic sectors that most affect people’s lives.

The fund reflects the private sector’s commitment to social responsibility and highlights its critical role in supporting development projects, initiatives, entrepreneurs and innovators. Sandooq Al Watan supports talented individuals, provides professional guidance for young Emirati professionals, supports start-ups that seek to make a positive social impact, and promotes research and innovation.

About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi

Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda.

About Aldar

Aldar Properties PJSC is the leading real estate developer in Abu Dhabi, and through its iconic developments, it is one of the most well known in the United Arab Emirates, and wider Middle East region.

From its beginnings in 2005 through to today, Aldar continues to shape and enhance the urban fabric of the UAE’s Capital City in addition to other key areas of the Emirate.

Aldar develops exciting and innovative projects, such as the internationally recognized HQ building situated in the Al Raha Beach development, the Gate Towers in Shams Abu Dhabi on Al Reem Island, in addition to Yas Island’s F1 circuit.

Aldar’s shares are traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (Stock quote: ALDAR:UH), and is a profitable, cash generative business that provides recurring revenues, and benefits from a diverse and supportive shareholder base. Aldar operates according to high standards of corporate governance and is committed to operating a long term and sustainable business in order to provide ongoing value for its shareholders. 

Aldar seeks to create quality, comfortable, desirable destinations that enrich the lives of Abu Dhabi residents as well as tourists within the Emirate. Aldar is playing a leading role in the development and provision of world class retail - Yas Mall, international standard education through Aldar Academies, iconic entertainment venues such as the Yas Marina Circuit, and community amenities across its entire portfolio.

Aldar is driven by a vision to be the most trusted and recognized real estate lifestyle developer in Abu Dhabi and beyond.

About Emirates Water and Electricity Company

Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) drives the planning, forecasting, purchase and supply of water and electricity in Abu Dhabi and beyond. EWEC performs its role as the sole procurer of water and electricity from independent producers, ensuring the short- and long-term balancing of bulk supply and demand for distribution companies. EWEC is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Power Corporation (ADPower). For more information please visit www.ewec.ae. 

© Press Release 2020