I don't know where I'm going but the car does

Brian Warshay and I at Masdar city check out those solar panels

I didn't know where to go but the electric cars did

After my visit to the falcon hospital, I dropped into the very futuristic Masdar City. I was there to find out a little more about a sea water farming project that Boeing and Masdar are working on. The long term goal is to grow salicornia (a very salt tolerant plant) for oil as a biofuel. Masdar are all about having as little or no environmental impact in everything they do. An example of that is the remote electric cars that comes down to the underground car park to pick you up. Just push a button and the little cars that are lined up to greet you whisk you away. It was a little unnerving being driven around in a car that drives itself around without a single steering wheel in sight. Upon arrival, there are live data displays of emissions coming out of Masdar. The name Masdar City is one that will apply in the future but for now, in reality, it is a campus for students.  Every building there is futuristic and energy conscious. From massive solar panels that adorn the roofs to the double skinned wall full of compressed air to maximise insulation while minimising weight; all work toward energy savings. In fact, the building was putting more energy out than it required in. The sea water farming project that Masdar Institute were working on is only in it's infancy so there wasn't a whole lot to see. With Boeing and Honeywell UOP backing though, I dare say it will mature into a very interesting experimental farm. Currently, a suitable site has not been found to incorporate a fish farm that will provide their fertiliser and income. The UAE was a great place to visit and I just might come back again.