UAE to explore innovative rain-inducing concept to solve water scarcity

Abu Dhabi - A team is set to examine the electrical properties of clouds through a combination of theoretical and experimental work.

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 Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), and Prof. Giles Harrison, who specializes in Atmospheric Physics at the University of Reading, and with Keri Nicoll, a NERC Independent Research Fellow at the Department of Meteorology, University of Reading.

Harrison, who is also a Second Cycle awardee associated with the UAE Research Program 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 measure and modify the charges present in clouds using balloons and aircrafts.

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 requirements and arrangements for data sharing.

Commenting on Professor Harrison's project, Dr. Abdullah Al Mandous, Director of the National Center for Meteorology and Seismology, said: "The success of the Emirates R&D program is evident at its third session, which has been demonstrated by the significant increase in the number of participating countries and research, A strong indicator of the importance of encouraging innovation and sharing knowledge and expertise through fruitful international partnerships. "Pointing out that the support of the Center for this project demonstrates the commitment to strengthen research cooperation with senior scientists from around the world to enhance global water security."

Alya Al Mazroui, Manager of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science said, "We are delighted to be working with Professor 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 Program for Rain Enhancement Science's aim of providing real solutions to the challenges of water scarcity. We look forward to supporting the professor's innovative work through our technical resources and resident expertise. We are also confident that such projects will reaffirm the status of Abu Dhabi and the UAE as an international center of excellence for rain enhancement research."

For his part, Harrison said: "An analysis of the potential of electrical charges to enhance rainfall could offer new techniques for boosting precipitation levels. The UAE Research Program 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."

Launched by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs of the UAE and overseen by the UAE National Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science offers US$5 million in grant assistance to encourage scientists and researchers to explore new horizons in developing rain enhancement science and technology. The Program is also a rallying platform that facilitates international cooperation through advancing research and innovation in the field of rain enhancement.

Due to its success in creating a cluster of leading experts in the field, the program's first cycle awardees are already producing ground-breaking work on precipitation enhancement in arid and semi-arid regions based on algorithms, the use of nanotechnology to accelerate water condensation, and cloud seeding optimization based on the study of convergence zones and land cover modification to enhance precipitation.

• Abu Dhabi