Masdar city FTZ, Abu Dhabi, the UAE
The Abu Dhabi Masdar City Economic Zone is a unique project which aims at stimulating the development of the scientific researches in the field of solar energy and renewable energy sources. The free zone is located in the South-East of the capital of the Emirate, in close proximity to the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Masdar city – an international scientific platform
It should be noted that the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are located on the territory of the free zone.
Construction of the Masdar City FTZ, the UAE, was started in the mid-2006, and a preliminary assessment of the investment project has exceeded 20 billion US dollars. The first buildings were completed and put into operation in 2008, and this year the total area of completed buildings has amounted to more than 1 thousand square kilometers. The completion of the project is scheduled for the 2020-2025 years.
The urban infrastructure provides the possibility of accommodating more than 50 thousand people and more than 1.5 thousand companies and enterprises. These are modern residential, commercial and industrial areas.
The Masdar City is an innovative scientific platform, which comprises the most advanced international experience in the sphere of establishing the specialized research centers with highly qualified personnel and appropriate research infrastructure.
Unique urban architecture
The urban architecture of the Masdar City FTZ is designed in a modern style and in the distance the shape of the city looks like a cube. But it's not just the original idea of the architects. Such shape fulfills one important function. A special 45-meter tower, designed in the traditional Arabic style, draws hot air, cools it, and then sends it to the streets. Besides, all the city buildings are built in such a way that protects the city streets from the direct sunlight. Such manipulations allow to reduce the high temperature and to make the city atmosphere comfortable.
The architects, when designing the Masdar City, took into account the centuries-old experience of the Arab people in the fight against the debilitating and scorching heat. City buildings, via their shape and location, provide the natural turbulence and create the air flows, which cool the city streets.
Advanced technologies as an opportunity for economization
The electrical supply of the city is provided by more than 80 thousand specialized solar panels, whose total area is about 20 hectares. Sensors of the automatic control of the water and electrical energy supply are installed everywhere for maximum saving of the electrical energy and water resources.
The water distribution system, in its turn, involves the multiple usage of the water resources. Thus, the sewage water of the city sewerage is eventually used for irrigation of the agricultural crops and irrigation works. In the end, the scientists and engineers managed to achieve the maximum savings (50-55%) and rational use of the water resources and electric power.
Masdar City FTZ: transport infrastructure
The peculiarity of the project is the total exclusion of the vehicles on petrol and diesel. Public transport and vehicles with the electric drive are proposed for movement. It is planned to use other eco-friendly cars which do not pollute the environment. There are vast parking areas for private vehicles along the perimeter of the city. Masdar city and the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are connected by the city's metro line.
The Masdar Institute
The Masdar Institute, the UAE, is a research institution working in the field of alternative energy and clean technologies. It is the first educational institution which was opened in this economic zone. Today the hundreds of students are studying here, less than half of which are from the UAE. There are neither national nor civil restrictions for students, trainees and teachers of the institute. Moreover, foreign students and teachers are offered the following opportunities:
- monthly scholarship;
- coverage of the travelling and living expenses;
- training materials and manuals;
- research equipment and portable computers.
Students are offered participation in joint projects with the private companies, government agencies, and with the other educational institutions. The scientific activities of the institute are focused on the several fields, in particular:
- renewable energy sources;
- energy planning and policy;
- development and implementation of the intelligent energy networks and facilities;
- environmental water use, electronics and engineering.
The building of the institute itself is a vivid example of the possibility of using the renewable and alternative energy sources. Thus, the consumption of the electric energy and water resources are reduced here by 70% comparing with the buildings of the similar size.
IRENA: international agency
It is not a secret that the Emirates became the perfect platform for many major international organizations. First of all, it is due to the high standard of living and the availability of modern urban infrastructure. And the International Renewable Energy Agency is not an exception.
The Dubai Government, in its turn, is taking active measures to ensure the favourable conditions for research activities. In particular, the assistance and the initiative of the state is reflected in the following indicators:
- more than 350 million dollars were allocated for financing projects in the field of renewable and alternative energy sources;
- the government pays the scholarships at the Masdar Institute;
- office premises for the IRENA are provided gratis.
Masdar City FTZ: manufacturing sector
The manufacturing sector is a complex building, where the office and retail premises for the representatives of the small and medium business, representative offices of the local and foreign companies, transnational corporations and holding entities are located. Among the well-known manufacturers, which have their representative offices in Masdar City, the Mitsubishi, General Electric and Schneider Electric companies may be singled out. A specialized center, where one can get training or organize a thematic exhibition, is available for business partners and clients of the free zone.
