UAE: Masdar Institute and Masdar PV sign agreement for three research projects
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 01:23
(EnergyAsia, February 7, 2012 Tuesday) --- Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the UAE’s research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, said it has signed a strategic master research partnership agreement with Masdar PV GmbH, leading German-based manufacturer of photovoltaic films.
The agreement was signed at the Masdar Institute stand at last month’s Word Future Energy Summit 2012 by Fred Moavenzadeh, president of Masdar Institute, and Ho Ty Trinh, CEO of Masdar PV. Steve Griffith, executive director of Institute Initiatives, was present on the occasion.
Harald Bloess, head of engineering, technology and transfer, will be the project head at Masdar PV, while Steven Griffiths, executive director at the Office of Institute Initiatives, and Professor of Practice in Chemical Engineering, will be project head at Masdar Institute.
Under the terms of first three individual project agreements, Sven Kittelmann, Masdar PV’s senior projects engineer, and Adel Gougam, Masdar Institute’s assistant professor, will handle the ‘TCO Glass Layers Optimisation’ project while Jens-Hendrik Zollondz, Masdar PV’s manager for R&D and Metrology, and Ammar Nayfeh, Masdar Institute’s assistant professor, will be responsible for the Photovoltaic Device Simulation project.
Andreas Heidelberg, Masdar PV’s process integration manager, Marcus Dahlem, Jaime Viegas and Marco Stefancich, three assistant professors from Masdar Institute, will coordinate the ‘Light Management Optimisation / Trapping project. The researchers will aim to improve solar cell efficiencies through reduction of top cell reflectance, light trapping schemes and wavelength-selective intermediate reflectors for tandem cells.
Hendrik Zollondz and Ammar Nayfeh will focus the Photovoltaic Device Simulation research project on improving the efficiency of ‘Micromorph Tandem’ solar cellusing Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) simulation.
The TCO Glass Layers Optimisation project aims to optimise the front TCO structure used in a super-state configuration for the Si thin film modules manufactured by Masdar PV.
Dr Moavenzadeh, president of Masdar Institute, said: “This research will not only help Masdar PV in achieving its technology roadmap objectives, but also will establish a close collaboration between Masdar Institute and Masdar PV in an area of great regional and global importance.
“Research into alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy, is of vital interest to Masdar and Abu Dhabi and we believe the know-how transfer from this agreement with Masdar PV will be mutually beneficial.”
Mr Ho said: “We are delighted to enter into this research agreement with Masdar Institute. We believe the faculty at the research-driven academic institution can be instrumental in helping Masdar PV achieve its technology roadmap. We are confident their expertise will complement those possessed by the Masdar PV team.”
Some of the world’s leading figures in renewable energy, including heads of state, policy makers, government officials, business leaders, and academics, convened in Abu Dhabi, the emerging global hub for renewable energy, to discuss, promote and debate the challenges and solutions of the world’s energy requirements.
Established in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. 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.
