NATO SfP-982620

Presentation:

The Al Akhawayn University's mission is to foster the growth of engineering and scientific knowledge and its application through education and research, with special emphasis on the development needs of Morocco.

In its activities, the School seeks to:
• Attract top students and students with great potential, and prepare them for a career in different engineering and science related fields according to current market needs; 
• Produce BS graduates who have a strong core understanding in basic science, engineering and mathematics with the ability to continue to learn how to apply this expertise to a range of engineering problems;
• Prepare students to succeed as leaders, professionals, life-long learners, and responsible citizens;
• Produce graduates with good communication skills enabling them to communicate effectively with people from many disciplines;
• Promote research, scholarship, and creative endeavors, with emphasis on R&D and entrepreneurship activities;
• Interact and cooperate with other academic institutions, professional bodies, and the community;
• Play a leadership role in the economic and social developments of Morocco. 

The Al Akhawayn University hosted the first NATO SfP-982620 Project follow-up meeting which gathered its NATO country as well as Mediterranean dialogue partners in Ifrane, Morocco. This two-day meeting attended by academic and industrial participants was held on February 13-13 2009 on the campus of the University.

NATO SfP-982620 Presentation during Follow-up meeting at Al Akhawayn University:

• Presentations of SfP-982620 Test Benches at Al Akhawayn University

Project Co-Director:
Dr. Khalid Loudiyi, Co-director NATO SfP-982620, School of Science and Engineering Al Akhawayn University (AUI) in Ifrane, Morocco.

Presentation:

The Public Diplomacy Division Collaborative Programmes Section of NATO in charge of the “Science for Peace and Security” Program finances research projects which address Partner Mediterranean Dialogue priority areas. Acting as NATO country Project Director the US Department of State - Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs assumes the financial responsibility for the Sahara Trade Winds to Hydrogen Project with respect to NATO.

The Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science (OES), promotes transformational diplomacy through advancing environmental stewardship, encouraging economic growth, and promoting social development around the globe to foster a safer, more secure and hopeful world.

Nearly 200 employees further these goals through programs and activities concerning infectious diseases, biodiversity, climate change, access to water and energy, ocean and polar affairs, science and technology cooperation, management of toxic chemicals, environmental components of trade agreements, and the exploration of space. In addition, the Bureau represents the United States at major international negotiations. Together, these activities demonstrate the Bureau's commitment to policies that make concrete improvements in people's lives.

NATO country Project Director (NPD):
William A. Lawrence, NATO country Project Director (NPD) NATO Science for Peace - SfP 982620

Contacts:
https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-economic-growth-energy-and-the-environment/bureau-of-oceans-and-international-environmental-and-scientific-affairs/

Launched in 2007, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization co-funded Science for Peace “Sahara Trade Winds to Hydrogen: Applied Research for Sustainable Energy Systems" Project deployed applied research platforms within Morocco and Mauritania's main universities and research centers.

Carried out in partnership with regional end-user groups the project initiated a far ranging, comprehensive program aimed at integrating intermittent sources of renewable energies in the weak grid infrastructure of the Saharan/Sahel region. Equipping these platforms in Morocco and Mauritania in the first months of the program enabled field measurements to be geographically spread. Extending this cooperation to other countries in the region is currently being considered. Indeed, countries like Senegal, Mali, Niger and Chad dispose of extremely limited electric generating capacities with a need to cover vast territories.

Under UNIDO assignment post TF/INT/03/002/11-68 Sahara Wind Inc. developed hydrogen production perspectives from wind and coordinated hydrogen applied research, based upon the results of the UNIDO-ICHET engineering report in its on-going hydrogen project development activities. Since efficient power transfers over long distances are currently only available for large-scale integrated projects worldwide, the prospect of adding a hydrogen production component in the initial building phase of the large-scale Sahara Wind Project “Morocco: Sahara Wind Phase I/Tarfaya (400-500 MW) on –Grid Wind Electricity in a Liberalized Market ” is quite relevant. As it was presented in 2005 to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank and the Global Environment Facilty (GEF), it provides an alternative that could enhance significantly the prospects and phasing of this large-scale project.

As its original concept developer, Sahara Wind Inc. highlighted the production of hydrogen as an integrated, complementary component of the Sahara Wind project. This component enhances prospective uses, perspectives and overall energy efficiencies of large scale renewable energy systems located in remote areas and operating in weaker grid infrastructures.

The development of sustainable energy systems through hydrogen applied research is likely to be relevant to the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE) where the support of UNIDO and NATO opens broader perspectives linking the hydrogen economy to clearly quantifiable environmental, energy access and sustainable development objectives. Providing solutions to improve energy access as well as environmental security with the creation of an economic activity in a region witnessing high fluxes of migrant population is of utmost importance.

As a wind power conversion, storage, and large-scale project catalyst, hydrogen production perspectives demonstrated complementarities that the hydrogen economy can provide in the development of sustainable energy systems.