Huge expanses of photo voltaic panels, organized in symmetrical patterns throughout the desert panorama, create a shimmering subject that stretches so far as the attention can see. Amid the ocean of panels is a tall vertical construction, reaching vital heights and shining brightly in broad daylight. Surrounding this construction is a system of good mirrors strategically positioned to trace the solar’s motion and mirror concentrated daylight onto the highest of the tower.
Situated in Saih Al-Dahal, roughly 50km south of town of Dubai, is the marvel referred to as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Photo voltaic Park—the world’s largest renewable mission primarily based on impartial energy producer (IPP) mannequin. Owned by the Dubai Electrical energy and Water Authority (DEWA) and sprawling over a complete space of 77 km², it stands as the biggest single-site photo voltaic park globally. With an formidable mission to provide 5,000MW by 2030, totally from renewable power sources, and a complete funding of AED 50 billion, the park goals to cut back greater than 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions yearly upon completion.
As international leaders, scientists, activists, and numerous stakeholders collect for discussions on the United Nations Local weather Change Convention (COP28) in Dubai, scheduled from November 30 to December 12, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Photo voltaic Park will stand as one of many premier renewable power tasks showcased by the Emirate and can function a testomony to UAE’s dedication to local weather objectives.
It was in 2021 that the United Arab Emirates launched a compelling programme aiming at attaining internet zero emissions by 2050—with an estimated spending of 600 billion dirhams ($163 billion) in renewable power. Once they did that, the UAE turned the primary nation within the Center East and North Africa area to launch such a concrete initiative. Mohammad Ahmad Jame, Appearing VP- Clear Vitality and Diversification, DEWA, says that the photo voltaic park’s tasks have an important position to play in supporting this technique, which is meant to attain a sustainable economic system.
The photo voltaic park has been developed in a number of phases, with totally different capacities added in every part. The park makes use of a mix of photo voltaic photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrated Photo voltaic Energy (CSP) applied sciences to generate electrical energy. The entire capability of the tasks below development on the photo voltaic park is 433MW, from CSP expertise.
The 13MW first part makes use of PV panels and have become operational in October 2013. The sixth part which is anticipated to cut back 2.36 million tonnes of carbon emissions yearly is envisaged as a 1,800MW part. Within the superior phases, DEWA carried out photo voltaic monitoring methods, good grid applied sciences, and power storage options to maximise effectivity and scale back environmental affect.
The DEWA spokespersons informed THE WEEK throughout a go to to the photo voltaic park in Dubai that DEWA additionally gives strategic partnerships with international corporations and organisations in integrating renewable power and distributed technology within the electrical energy grid, the Web of Issues (IoT), utilizing AI in power manufacturing items, power effectivity, cybersecurity, robotics, and good buildings. For example, Unilever, one of many world’s largest client items corporations, has been utilizing DEWA’s electrical energy and collaborating with DEWA to assist sustainability and scale back Dubai’s carbon footprint by means of varied initiatives. In 2013, DEWA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Unilever, which included a dedication from Unilever to activate energy-saving gadgets and promote water conservation. In 2019, DEWA signed one other settlement with Unilever to promote 20,757 of its Worldwide Renewable Vitality Certificates (i-REC) to the corporate. The i-RECs are licensed, tradeable credit within the renewable power markets that may be bought and bought between totally different events. They’re an internationally acknowledged commonplace for documenting renewable power consumption. With the acquisition of i-RECs from DEWA, Unilever Center East has been enabled to cowl 100 per cent of its electrical energy consumption within the area with renewable power. Unilever additionally has a technique to be carbon-neutral in all its operations by 2030, and DEWA is a vital accomplice for the agency to attain this goal.
Apparently, some corporations have commissioned their very own photo voltaic crops to contribute to the 2050 internet zero imaginative and prescient of the COP28 host. For example, in 2022, Daikin Center East and Africa, a number one producer of air con, heating, air flow, and refrigeration options, and a signatory of the ‘Local weather-Accountable Corporations Pledge’ to attain internet zero by 2050, commissioned a 515 kWp (Kilowatt-peak) photo voltaic plant at their JAFZA Dubai headquarters. The near 1,000 photo voltaic panels which have been put in on the roof of Daikin’s facility meet greater than 80 per cent of the corporate’s power consumption wants.
Indian skilled Sanjeev Maheshwari, Common Supervisor- Service, Resolution and Refrigeration at Daikin Center East and Africa, says that Daikin has additionally launched modern applied sciences, particularly within the HVAC-R area, to cut back emissions from its merchandise. The corporate emphasises that its R32 expertise is a game-changer in decreasing greenhouse fuel emissions. The R-32 refrigerant is taken into account a balanced refrigerant that has a number of environmental advantages, together with decreased electrical energy consumption and decrease international warming potential. R-32 has a world warming potential (GWP) that’s one-third decrease than different broadly used refrigerants, akin to R-22 and R-410A. Daikin has efficiently utilized R-32 to air conditioners by leveraging its experience as the one producer that develops and manufactures each air conditioners and refrigerants.
The Sustainable Metropolis in Dubai, constructed by Diamond Builders—a non-public sector actual property firm that’s spearheading the sustainable constructing motion—is one other distinctive inexperienced initiative that Dubai presents to the world.
Marwa Nahlawi, Common Supervisor of Diamond Builders, says TSC is designed to be an operational internet zero power metropolis, aiming to develop into a world showcase for sustainable dwelling. Situated on the outskirts of Dubai, the group spans an space of 46 hectares and accommodates 500 villas grouped into 5 residential clusters. These residential clusters are linked to an city farm that runs the size of town. Every cluster contains 90 Courtyard Villas, eight Backyard Villas, and two Signature Villas, and these are occupied by 2,700 residents. The town additionally has a faculty, an equestrian centre, and a centre—Sanad Village—to offer a holistic and complete method in direction of autism spectrum issues. The town’s mosque which might accommodate 700 worshippers, is designed with tech to minimise power and water consumption and is cooled utilizing a high-efficiency AC system.
11 biodome greenhouses are operating the size of the Central Inexperienced Backbone, with a complete capability of over 3,000 sq. metres for city farming. The town has a 10-metre-high buffer zone operating alongside the periphery of the event with bushes scattered in a number of layers. That is to purify the air coming into town. In complete, town has 10,000 productive and non-productive bushes.
Essentially the most distinctive function of The Sustainable Metropolis Dubai, nevertheless, lies in its renewable power system. The center of the group’s energy provide lies in a 10-megawatt photo voltaic farm, adorned with over 40,000 photo voltaic panels. This sturdy photo voltaic infrastructure is the driving pressure behind sustaining your entire group, encompassing residences, together with public facilities akin to colleges, malls, and hospitals. It is value noting that any surplus power generated by the photo voltaic farm finds its means again to the grid, solidifying The Sustainable Metropolis Dubai’s standing as a internet power exporter.
In tandem with this power prowess, the group proudly displays an modern water administration system. Leveraging cutting-edge applied sciences like greywater recycling, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater remedy, the group tactically curtails water consumption. A particularly designated wastewater remedy plant undertakes the duty of processing sewage from residents, changing it into high-quality recycled water earmarked for irrigation and landscaping.
Moreover, a subterranean rainwater harvesting system diligently shops rainwater in underground tanks, subsequently repurposing it for non-potable features akin to rest room flushing and automotive washing.
Marwa factors out that by taking proactive steps towards environmental accountability, Sustainable Metropolis Dubai implements measures to cut back its carbon footprint. A fleet of electrical autos stands as an eco-friendly mode of transportation throughout the group. Furthermore, a delegated car-free zone mandates residents to park on the entrance and depend on electrical buggies for native mobility. The group actively encourages the usage of bicycles for transportation, full with devoted bicycle lanes sprawling throughout its expanse.
The town’s Sustainable Plaza, spanning 15,000 sq. metres, stands close to the doorway. It contains 5 low-rise blocks housing outlets, eating places, cafes, workplaces, and flats out there for lease. Past producing income, the plaza serves as a retail hub, providing ample companies to satisfy the group’s wants. The town additionally contains a “Constructive power constructing”—SEE Institute, which gives a state-of-the-art amphitheatre for 700 individuals, in addition to a spacious atrium for exhibitions. Over its anticipated 50-year lifespan, the constructing is projected to provide 140 per cent of its power wants, successfully offsetting emissions all through development, operation, and decommissioning. The town’s distinctive villas boast a various resident inhabitants hailing from varied components of the world. In a latest accolade, Sustainable Metropolis Dubai was honoured because the “Happiest group” within the GCC on the inaugural Gulf Actual Property Awards, offered by the Dubai Land Division earlier this yr.
The upcoming COP may have a main activity to guage progress towards the Paris Settlement’s formidable purpose of capping the worldwide temperature improve nicely under 2 levels Celsius. And, Dubai presents initiatives like The Sustainable Metropolis—a group that has taken a “2 levels pledge”, meant to restrict the temperature rise—as certainly one of their sturdy examples to point out their dedication to this massive battle to save lots of the world.
