iSmart to Lead in Innovation as Investment in Smart City Technology Infrastructure Forecast to Total US$108 billion by 2020
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 19 March, 2014 - Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced the launch of the Institute Center for Smart and Sustainable Systems (iSmart), a center that applies state-of-the-art analyses in the design and development of sustainable infrastructure systems to interface between technology and society.
iSmart will contribute to turning the UAE into a global leader in engineering systems methods and applications by providing strategic and operational direction to research in these areas. The creation of iSmart is part of the regrouping of all of Masdar Institute's research activities under different thematic umbrellas for better coordination and productive R&D outcome.
Headed by Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis, Associate Professor, Engineering Systems and Management, iSmart will aim to serve faculty, students and stakeholders by supporting a collaborative environment for developing engineering systems research relevant to the UAE. In effect, it will contribute to the UAE's long-term goal of developing robust policies and strategies for critical economic sectors such as energy and water, transportation and logistics, urban development and telecommunications.
Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: "The creation of iSmart reflects our commitment to taking science and technology research into the next stage of innovation. Systems approaches to policy and infrastructure development are expected to have an increasingly large role in sustainable energy. With the support of the UAE leadership, Masdar Institute has progressively steered research and innovation in renewable energy and advanced technology. We hope this center will contribute to the establishment of new strategies, policies and models that benefit the community."
The creation of iSmart illustrates the increasing need for smart and sustainable systems in an energy-conscious global environment. A new report from the cleantech market intelligence firm Pike Research forecasts that investment in smart city technology infrastructure will total US$108 billion during the years from 2010 to 2020. By the end of that period, it is anticipated that annual spending will reach nearly US$16 billion.
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, in the last three years, global investment in 'smart grid' is estimated to have doubled from US$16.2 billion in 2010 to US$36.5 billion in 2012.
Some of the research areas iSmart will focus on include 'the development and application of systems design and analysis methodologies, iInformation and computation for sustainable infrastructure transformation, regulatory policy analysis and managerial options analysis.
Dr. Sgouridis' current research interests focus on sociotechnical systems modeling, including sustainable transportation systems and sustainable energy systems management. He is the principal investigator researching 'Commercial Aviation in a Carbon-Constrained Future' at Masdar Institute and is co-leading the development of the Sustainable Bioresource Projects.
Dr. Sgouridis said: "Smart technologies, already on the threshold of new breakthroughs, are set to drastically transform the way communities live in the future. The setting up of iSmart at Masdar Institute further signifies the relevance of research into various fields for developing smarter infrastructure systems. We believe this center will help Masdar Institute develop new technologies, leading to greater energy efficient systems."
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About Masdar Institute
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. This multi-interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.
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.
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 through education and research.
Masdar Institute offers degrees in:
· MSc Engineering Systems and Management
· MSc Computing and Information Science
· MSc Materials Science and Engineering
· MSc Mechanical Engineering
· MSc Water and Environmental Engineering
· MSc Microsystems Engineering
· MSc Electrical Power Engineering
· MSc Chemical Engineering
· PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering
Please visit our website www.masdar.ac.ae/
For more information contact:
Name: Bader Al Zarei
Director - Communications
Public Affairs Department
Email: balzarei@masdar.ac.ae
Phone: +971 02 8109372
© Press Release 2014
