Integrated Seawater Energy and Ag project

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Integrated Seawater Energy and Ag project

Masdar Project Will Transform Desert Land into a Biologically Productive State Capable of Supplying Fish, Shrimp, and Oil-rich Plant Crops, to the Operators of the System — through an Intelligent, Integrated, Closed-loop System Design that Makes Use of Saltwater-tolerant Plant Species

Theproject will aim to transform desert land into a biologically productive state capable of supplying fish, shrimp, and oil-rich plant crops, to the operators of thesystem — through an intelligent, integrated, closed-loop system designthatmakes use of saltwater-tolerant plant species.

The pilot project is expected to be up and running by late summer — with construction duties being performed by International Mechanical & Electrical Company (IMECO). Theproject is based on work done by the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, and represents the first bioenergy pilot project utilizing desert land (irrigated only with seawater) to produce bioenergy + food.

Considering the project's aim to deal with desertification, water scarcity, agricultural runoff, energy needs, and food security — all at once — it's really quite notable. The successful implementation of such an approach could prove it to be an effective means of addressing many barriers to activity in the region — opening up further agricultural and economic activities there.

"This remarkable research has enormous implications for harmoniously producing food and fuel in water- and arable land-constrained regions," stated Masdar CEO Ahmad Belhoul. "Considering that about 20% of the world's land is desert and 97% of the world's water is salt water, this approach turns a land and water resource scarcity problem on its head by creating a bioenergy solution applicable in countries around the globe. As the UAE enters the Year of Innovation, bioenergy research will continue to be a key area of focus for Masdar and will help to position our nation as one that incubates and exports knowledge."

Source: Planetsave

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