UAE to explore new tech to induce rains
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abu dhabi — The UAE is collaborating with a team of leading meteorologists to develop a potentially ground-breaking technology in cloud seeding, to address the country’s water scarcity challenges.
The concept revolves around the ‘electrical seeding’ of clouds, a theoretical concept that studies the effect of electrical charges on rain-bearing clouds.
Discussions are ongoing between senior officials at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS); Professor Giles Harrison, who specialises in atmospheric physics at the University of Reading; and Keri Nicoll, an NERC independent research fellow at the department of meteorology, University of Reading.
Prof. Giles Harrison, who is also a second cycle awardee associated with the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, will lead the research.
The team is set to examine the electrical properties of clouds through a combination of theoretical and experimental work. As a first step, they will model the growth of charged drops to raindrops — even when the clouds are not charged — to the extent that leads to thunderstorms. Secondly, they will attempt to
The success of the our research programme is evident by the significant increase in the number of participating countries and research.”
Dr Abdullah Al Mandous director of NCMS
measure and modify the charges present in clouds using balloons and aircraft.
An innovative aspect is the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to artificially modify the electrical properties of the clouds. A promising attribute of the electrical seeding approach is that it leaves no local environmental residues, as the UAVs are electrically powered and hence pollution-free.
Following a series of visits, the Jebel Jais, Al Ain Airport, Al Ain radar station, Jebel Hafeet and Al Malaiha sites have been identified as potential sites for equipment installation and ongoing atmospheric monitoring. The collaboration also covers the project’s logistical
This project links to providing real solutions to the challenges of water scarcity and holds great promise to water scarce nations.”
Alya Al Mazroui manager of UAEREP
requirements and arrangements for data sharing.
Dr Abdullah Al Mandous, director of the NCMS, said: “The success of the emirates research and development programme is evident in its third session, which has been demonstrated by the significant increase in the number of participating countries and research.”
Alya Al Mazroui, manager of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), said: “We are delighted to be working with Prof Harrison and his team on this highly transformative project. This project holds great promise to a water-stressed country like the UAE. Moreover, the project links directly to the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science’s aim of providing real solutions to the challenges of water scarcity.”
Prof. Harrison said: “An analysis of the potential of electrical charges to enhance rainfall could offer new techniques for boosting precipitation levels. The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science is playing a unique role in facilitating the growth of productive international scientific networks while ensuring that researchers have access to the materials, equipment and data that they need.”
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
An analysis of the potential of electrical charges to enhance rainfall could offer new techniques for boosting precipitation levels.”
Professor Giles Harrison University of Reading