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Innovative Initiative in collaboration with Masdar Institute to produce clean energy and minimization of waste
Abu Dhabi: Tadweer, the Center of Waste Management, Abu Dhabi, and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology announced today the completion of 75% of a Waste Cooking Oil to Biodiesel 'Recycling Project' initiative in accordance with the Emirates Science, Technology and Innovation Higher Policy adopted by the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The project emphasizes on achieving fundamental improvement of the process of converting waste cooking oil to biodiesel through experimentation and modelling studies that help in making the conversion an effective and efficient process and provides a biofuel that can be fully utilized. This initiative also aims to promote recycling and reuse and provide the methods needed by the community to facilitate proper disposal of waste.
The project consists of a two-year research agreement with Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, seeking to improve the process of producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil. It aims at developing a sustainable, community-based system. This initiative is also part of the research already conducted by a Masdar Institute team led by Dr. Isam Janajreh, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, which successfully demonstrated the small-scale capability of converting waste cooking oil (WCO) to biodiesel.
The next phase of the project will engage the community, whereby Tadweer will be working on launching its pilot phase at Al Raha Gardens Community that includes educating residents on the correct methods of collecting, recycling of cooking oils and informing them about the designated collection areas. This will be conducted by our UAE-based strategic partner, Averda, integrated waste management company and Khidma, a leading integrated properties & facilities management services provider. The biodiesel generated by recycled cooking oil will be used in the collection vehicles for the same areas.
Tadweer will be extending the pilot plant scale project across Abu Dhabi, especially to the areas surrounding the current location, such as Khalifa A according to the results attained in the next phase in order encourage the communities to support such green technologies. Based on Tadweer's strategy, the initiative aims to integrate sustainable waste management practices in the daily lives of people, such as waste reduction at source, re-use and recycling.
To further engage the community in this initiative, Tadweer focuses on involving school and university students, UAE nationals and residents in the pilot phase and educating them on limiting food waste, as well as reducing household wastes in general through effective segregation methods.
H.E Eisa Saif Al Qubaisi, General Manager of Tadweer (CWM), said, "This project will create local environmental benefits. It would open prospects to produce biofuel which would be cost effective as well as help reduce carbon emissions. Our combined effort will result in the development of new technologies which will help the UAE and the world meet clean energy goals and objectives.
Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, said, "The progress of this collaboration project with Tadweer and others suggests our intense involvement in obtaining innovative sustainable solutions in waste management. Masdar Institute is keen to advocate recycling and reusing for the preservation of natural resources while ensuring the use of clean renewable energy technologies. We are delighted with the progress of this community-wide project that will bring sustainable benefits while educating everyone on safely converting a regular stream of unwanted waste into a valuable clean energy resource."
Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly sustainable energy solution as, it is biodegradable and non-toxic. It has no negative impact on the carbon cycle and thus is an excellent means of reducing the carbon footprint. Through this initiative Tadweer aims to have waste collection vehicles run on biodiesel - 'the Green Fuel'. This initiative is considered as one of its kind in the field of recycling in the UAE.
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About Tadweer:
Established in December 2008, Tadweer "The Center of Waste Management Abu Dhabi" is the lead entity responsible for controlling and coordinating waste management activities throughout the Emirate. This includes implementing the Waste Management Strategy and all aspects of service delivery required to establish a full cycle integrated waste management system in line with the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.
Tadweer's strategy is:
- Developing an integrated waste management system in line with the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030
- Using the latest innovative practices and technologies in waste management
- Conserving the environment and support the ongoing sustainable development process
- Promoting reduction, re-use, or recycling of waste
- Raising public awareness on effective waste management
About Masdar Institute
The 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.
Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar's core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi's knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity's toughest challenges such as climate change.
With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.
Please visit our website www.masdar.ac.ae/
© Press Release 2016
