Aligning America with United Arab Emirates? the The US Department of Energy (DoE) and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multifaceted renewable energy initiative which includes an eco-city with the same name, signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week to promote collaboration on clean and sustainable energy technologies, reports Carbon Capture Journal and a press release issued by Masdar. Signed in the US by US Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman and Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the CEO of Masdar, the agreement will build on a framework for cooperation in three important areas to tackle global warning, and to address depleting and polluting fuels: carbon capture and sequestration, water and bio-fuels, and clean technology. “We look forward to working with Masdar to find clean energy solutions that will help us overcome our energy challenges. By enhancing cooperation on clean energy, we can help build a secure, prosperous and sustainable energy future for the citizens of our nations and the world,†said Deputy Secretary Poneman. Dr. Al Jaber said: “Our two nations are strongly aligned when it comes to energy issues and we both recognize it is imperative that we start to change the way we consume energy. As part of the agreement, both parties agreed to provide better and easier access for small and medium sized enterprises operating in clean technology clusters within the United Arab Emirates and the United States to enter their respective markets. This in turn will boost trade, investment and job opportunities between both countries. In 2009 the value of US exports to the UAE was $12.1 billion. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the seventh largest proven oil reserves in the world at 97.8 billion barrels, according to the Oil and Gas Journal in January 2009. The UAE also has the sixth largest proven natural gas reserves in the world at 214 trillion cubic feet. It is an important oil and natural gas producer and is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), according to the US government’s Energy Information Administration. The clean energy framework agreement with the DoE is a first for Masdar with a US government entity, but follows ties with US institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the establishment of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Boeing and Honeywell UOP, together with the UAE’s Etihad Airways, recently signed agreements to establish a major research and demonstration project in Abu Dhabi, UAE to support the development and commercialization of aviation biofuels. Masdar also recently signed a similar agreement with Canada, setting out a strategic agreement between the two governments for the sharing of research and evaluation and analysis on non-confidential CCS projects and technologies, according to Carbon Capture Journal. Green Prophet
