renewable energy

MASDAR CITY, UAE: World’s First Carbon-neutral, Zero-Waste Community

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Karin Larsen, Masdar City Project

Masdar City is the expression of a vision. It represents Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted response to the challenges facing a sustainable future. The Masdar Initiative and Masdar City are positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader and hub for the research and development of renewable energy and sustainable technology. The funding for Masdar comes from the Abu Dhabi government.

Masdar City’s aim is to become the Silicon Valley for clean, green and alternative energy. A global centre where over 1500 companies will converge to address one of man’s greatest challenges. A city where current and future technologieis will be funded, researched, developed, tested and implemented. Masdar’s mandate is to champion renewable energy technologies, and to contribute to the diversitfication and sustainable growth of the Abu Dhabi economy into one that is industry-led and knowledge-based.

For more information, see www.masdarcity.com and www.masdar.ae.

Karin Larsen is the US Sales Representative for the Masdar City Property Development Unit, where she develops cross-border strategic partnerships and business relationships between Masdar City and US companies. Prior to this, she was a Senior Vice President at Gulf Capital Private Equity in the UAE where she analyzed and executed investment opportunities in energy services, alternative energy, and technology/media. Previously, she established i2i Capital in Hong Kong, a boutique private placement and investment firm serving SMEs in Asia. In the cleantech sector, she has worked with companies active in electric vehicles, coal gasification, plastics recycling, nanomaterials, and water filtration.

Appetizer Story:
Developing Green Innovative Communities with Dr. James Caldwell

A Silicon Valley Innovation Journey: from Semiconductors to Sustainability

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Kevin Surace
CEO, Serious Materials

“FACTORIES RE-OPEN, CREATING NEW JOBS AND COST SAVINGS FOR U.S. EMPLOYEES”. Is this a headline from years gone by? A satirical story reported in The Onion? Or an apt characterization of the work of a 21st Century Silicon Valley innovation leader? Our third option has all the charm.
Join us as Kevin Surace, former semiconductor executive and current CEO of Silicon Valley-based Serious Materials, shares with us his recent White House commendations from the President and Vice President, and his adventures as a leader in one of the most critical 21st Century innovation industries.

Serious Materials develops and manufactures sustainable green building materials that save energy, save money, improve comfort and aggressively address climate change. The company was voted #1 at Cleantech Forum XII, won Global Gypsum Product of the Year 2008, won the first Aspen Institute award for innovation in Energy Conservation, and was awarded Green Product of the Year by Popular Science. It has also been recognized by TIME/CNN, Fortune, and Business Week as one of the top green technology companies. SeriousWindows(TM) and SeriousGlass(TM) reduce heating and cooling energy costs by up to 50% and improve occupant comfort. QuietRock® soundproof drywall and QuietGlass® reduce material use, enhance livability, and support dense sustainable urban construction. EcoRock(TM) uses 80% less energy in its core production and has the potential to save billions of pounds of CO2 annually making it the only true green alternative to gypsum drywall and five times more environmentally friendly. SeriousWindows, SeriousGlass and super-insulating ThermaRock(TM) drywall support energy efficiency funding programs as outlined under The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) including Weatherization (WAP), Green Federal Buildings, State Energy Program (SEP), Energy Efficiency Block Grants, Energy Tax Credit for Consumers, and Tax Deductions for Commercial Buildings.