UAE to go solar?

[Krazy]

Abu Dhabi to go green with solar power

While solar energy is not widely used to produce electricity, this might change if trials being done by scientists at the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea) are successful.

The first project goes on trial within a few weeks and will see solar panels being installed over a car park canopy and benches at selected locations in the capital, said Mufeed Odeh, the Research Centre manager at Adwea.

The devices, called photovoltaic panels, will harvest the solar energy and turn it into electricity without creating any pollution in the process.This “cleaner” electricity will then be fed into the city’s power grid, said Odeh.

The trial is expected to last at least a year and, if successful, more panels will be installed across the city, he said.

“A demonstration project has to be evaluated over a long enough period of time so we can see how the panels are affected by different weather conditions in summer and winter. We need to evaluate the maintenance requirements for a system like this and its susceptibility to the harsh weather conditions,” said Odeh.

The authority is also looking into using the sun’s rays to power air-conditioning units.

“We have completed a fullyfledged feasibility study looking at all the technologies available in the world,” said Odeh. “We found that there is room to advance them and create new technologies or parts of new technologies.” The authority is collaborating with Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and hopes to produce a demonstration system in less than a year, he said.

“You cannot really use solar power 100 per cent to cool air because you need many panels or collectors to do this. So we intend to use it as a supplement during peak times when it is expensive to generate power,” said Odeh, explaining that in this way solar technologies will make financial sense for the authority.

There are also plans to open training facilities in Australia and Abu Dhabi for its engineers.

Both projects are results of almost two years of work, said Odeh, adding that solar power has not been used much in the country so far because the installation costs are very high compared to other energy sources. However, he said he is optimistic about the technology’s future in the country.

“The potential for using solar power is large because there is plenty of sun. It is a fact that excess heat reduces the efficiency of the panels by about one per cent, so we need to be aware of the excess heat and how it affects the different means of harvesting and their maintenance,” said Odeh.

[Krazy]

This is a great move by AD... I hope the entire UAE can be powered by solar energy some day... we are one of the few countries blessed with 365 days of sunshine.

[Nasrawi]

great move.... im loving abu dhabi more everyday

in an article on world environment day they wrote that using solar energy from expanse of sahara desert can generate power for the whole world

[Bikes]

Very good idea, Go Abu Dhabi!

[MusaafiR78]

Originally Posted by Nasrawi

great move.... im loving abu dhabi more everyday

in an article on world environment day they wrote that using solar energy from expanse of sahara desert can generate power for the whole world

Me too...agree completely !!!

[DG]

great for AD and whole UAE, (Abu Dhabi the Technological City of the UAE)

[GCC]

brilliant!

[Krazy]

related...

Focus on renewable energy resources


Abu Dhabi: The region's largest and most significant environmental conference is to be held in Abu Dhabi, environment officials have announced.

It is being organised by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and held under the patronage of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Environment 2007 conference will be held in January and focus on integrated sustainable energy resources in arid regions. The event will highlight the world's increasing energy demands and put forward alternative methods of providing energy through renewable energy sources.

Solar power

It will study the potential of technologies such as hydrogen fuel, wind power and solar thermal systems.

"We have to analyse the potential of various renewable energies to supply the needs of arid regions," said Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the EAD.

Twenty-six speakers have so far been confirmed for the event.

[metroreporter]

all right!

now, if only dubai and DEWA think up sth for that brilliant emirate

[Trances]

good for UAE pushing this along
Hope it works and the world takes note

[Krazy]

Solar power takes off as rising oil price forces energy rethink


Despite year-round sunshine, solar power has yet to take off in the Gulf, until now.

The region’s first research and development centre for designing and building solar power plants is to be located at the Dubai Techno Park.

Solar Technologies FZE has signed a deal worth AED50 million to invest in a facility over 37,000 m2 for the development of high technology solar energy products and solutions.

The firm plans to design and assemble large-scale solar thermal solutions including power plants and air conditioning solutions for medium and large-scale projects.

Target clients will include energy and water distribution firms, real estate developments, industrial facilities and energy projects in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.

This is the second high profile solar development at the Dubai Techno Park. Pacific Control Systems’ Green Building headquarters is already under construction and is due to be operational in November 2006. The first building in the Middle East to be awarded the US Green Building Certificate, it will include 100 kW of solar energy for lighting and air conditioning.

Pacific Control Systems communications manager Varsha Rajesh explained: “The company chose to use solar power to demonstrate its environmentally friendly commitment. We are the 16th in the world to get the platinum rating from the USGBC (US Green Building Council) and achieved well over the rating that we needed.”

The design of the Pacific Controls hq emphasises key features of sustainable site development, water and energy efficiency and recycling. It will house a research and development center for the Middle East automation business that will also develop eco-friendly solutions and products for global markets.

The use of solar power in the region is expected to develop rapidly over the coming years. Eng Yahya Lootah, vice chairman of S S Lootah Group reports: “New energy technologies will dramatically alter our reliance on power generated from traditional energy sources and fossil fuels. Embracing and adopting new energy technologies is the key to achieving sustainable economic progress in the 21st century.”

Forecasts suggest that by 2050 renewable energy sources will supply almost 50% of UAE’s total energy needs, with solar energy predicted to account for the majority of this supply.

[fahed]

ABU DHABI FUTURE ENERGY COMPANY - MASDAR INITIATIVE

The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company has been created to manage the implementation of a significant renewable and alternative energy initiative in Abu Dhabi. Mubadala owns 100 per cent of the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, which is working closely with a range of leading international organizations to deliver the strategy.

Announced in the 2nd Quarter of 2006, the Masdar Initiative consists of four key components:

1. An Innovation Center to support the demonstration, commercialization and adoption of sustainable energy technologies;
   
2. A world-class University offering specialist graduate programs in renewable energy and sustainability, in partnership with leading international universities and research institutes.
   
3. A specialized Development Company focused on the commercialization of emissions reduction, and Clean Development Mechanism solutions as provided by the Kyoto Protocol on climate change;
   
4. A Special Economic Zone tailored to hosting institutions which will invest in development and production of renewable energy technologies and products.

A four square kilometer of land was granted by the Government of Abu Dhabi to be made available as the campus for the initiative. The Government also established a US $100M clean technology fund to co-invest with private sector partners in domestic and foreign companies focused on emerging technologies.

The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company builds on Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a leader in the energy sector, and will provide a global center of excellence in the development and commercialization of alternative sources of energy in the Emirates.

http://www.mubadala.ae/en/content/masdar_initiative.asp

[guy_in_dubai]

go ad! but its sad dubai hasnt done anything like this first

[Krazy]

Solar cooling could really heat up the profitability of the UAE

Using solar power to keep cool could revolutionise the profitability and environmental impact of both the UAE’s and the region’s energy sector, an expert has said.

Berthold Breid, Project Manager of Renewable Energy of the German energy agency Dena, said that the use of solar power had massive potential.

“Solar cooling will be a further step in combination with more energy-efficient houses. The technology for solar cooling is being tested now in several countries… and is a highly interesting application with a huge potential, especially in UAE,” he said.

He was one of the speakers at the German Solar Symposium held in Abu Dhabi, where more than 50 local representatives of the energy industry came to hear about the untapped potential of the country’s sun rays.

However, in order for the UAE to capitalise on developed and developing solar technology, he urged greater focus, research, development and incentives for the use of the alternative energy sources.

In the short-term, Breid said the major interest in solar power in the UAE would be in the shape of lighting and powering small engines. “Solar technology is coming to a focus within the public interest in the UAE… The UAE has already started to think about the time after oil exploitation and income from oil,” he said.

“Photovoltaics for telecommunication or for security is used already and will grow further, for example, for illu mination purposes or water pumps. Big industries will be developed soon for solar thermal plants to create electricity out of solar radiation. This is a very interesting sector the UAE can offer, especially for neighbouring countries without oil or gas sources.” There are already some buildings that use solar power. The Al Bustan Rotana in Garhoud installed 80 solar panels on its roof in 1998, at an initial cost of Dh240,000. Before this, the hotel incurred electricity bills of around Dh61,000 a year – now they are virtually nothing.

And Dena is currently working with Abu Dhabi on its groundbreaking Al Masdar Initiative, launched in March this year. The move aims to promote renewable energy and resource sustainability industries in Abu Dhabi and will reportedly see the construction of a solar power plant in the emirate as well as the establishment of local solar power technology producers.

“I see two possibilities to take the best advantages. The first is to reduce subsidies for energy costs and to develop good standards for energy efficiency within the housing sector in the UAE. The second is to build up a solar industry together with installation and maintaining facilities in the concentrating solar power sector to use this technology within the country and to sell it in the neighbourhood,” Breid said.

[Krazy]

How smart is this idea? I didn't know Abu Dhabi was going to have air conditioned bus stop shelters as well but solar powered? That's frikkin brilliant!

Sun will help shelters stay cold

The manufacture of Arabia’s first bus shelters kept cool by the sun has begun in the United Kingdom, it has been revealed.

Mubarak Al Sayari, from the Trueform Group, said work has begun on the solar powered shelters on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Transport Authority.

“We are already expecting a big response to our product. Everywhere people are working to reduce power consumption to bring costs down. As this is the first solar powered shelter in the UAE, and plus, in all of Arabia, it will be huge,” he said.

The shelters aim to give Abu Dhabi commuters a comfortable place to wait for the bus. They will use the UAE’s almost ever-present sun rays to keep the shelters comfort ably cool, which in turn will reduce costs for the transport authority.

“Solar is a natural supply while the other supplies use intense resources. This is no cost at all for the user. The sun is free so you do not need to pay for the electricity,” added Al Sayari.

The solar shelters have the additional appeal of not needing an electricity infrastructure support, saving the cost of cable installation. Al Sayari said the Trueform shelters are expected to cover their initial purchase and installation costs within five years.

Solar-powered bus shelters, while sounding like a futuristic impossibility in the UAE given the relatively cheap cost of electricity, are not the first remote infrastructure in the UAE to go solar.

The speed radars that maintain a vigilant eye on the country’s traffic are also solar powered, and parking meters are powered by photovoltaic panelling on their flat roofs.

Extensive use of solar power technologies for home and industrial uses, however, are still very rare in the country.

[Alle]

Very good solution for local airconditioning.

[Ruminative]

great for Abu Dhabi

[M@lte]

I frequently wonder why there's so few solar power used in dubai...they've got constantly sun and enough money to get all there electricity from solar power! Maybe they think that they don't have to worry about electricity as long as they've got oil but their oil will run out sooner as they think and then it will be to late...

[AltinD]

And did you register in this SKYSCRAPER forum just to ask that question?


... or are you working for solar panels manufacturer?

[Dubai_Steve]

Well I agree. Dubai should actually work towards 100% solar power. There will be no requirment for other sources. If this was done Dubai would once again be put on the global map of success for leading the way, especially in these times of global warming problems. There is no technical reason why this can not be achieved anymore.