The 100% solar powered Masdar Institute, designed by London-based Foster + Partners, is the inaugural phase of the larger carbon neutral Masdar City project located in Abu Dhabi.
“A 10 megawatt solar field within the masterplan site provides 60% more energy than is consumed by the Masdar Institute, the remaining energy is fed back to the Abu Dhabi grid,” explain the architects.
In addition to solar energy generation, the Masdar Institute uses 54% less potable water, and 51% less electricity than conventional designs, while also using heat limiting window shadings and latticework.
The exterior building facades are insulated with inflatable cushions and cooling air currents are channeled through the public space using a modern rendition of the region’s traditional wind towers. Greenspace and water features are utilizes in the public spaces to provide evaporative cooling.
The sustainable campus includes laboratories, student residences, a gymnasium, canteen, and a café.
“This community, independent of any power grid, develops a surplus of 60% of its own energy needs, processes its waste water on-site which is recycled and pioneers many energy-saving concepts. It is a bold experiment which will change and evolve over time – already it houses twelve separate research projects with potential world-wide applications,” explain the architects.
Visit: http://www.fosterandpartners.com/
Via Deezen
physical appearance in this. It truly encourages an aesthetically
pleasing look. The technology is impressive - in some ways.
But from the comment above, one would beg to differ.
written by Yale Graduate , November 29, 2010
It produces solar power when the sun is shining during the day, but then relies on conventional power from the Abu Dhabi grid once the sun goes down, or when there is cloud cover or sandstorms.
This is significant, because it shows that this institute is still reliant on electricity from conventional CO2-producing gas-fired power plants. Moreover, solar cannot cover the peak evening load (5-8pm) when you have maximum power demand from A/C and people returning home. (yes, it is often >35C and very humid in the evening there).
written by DL , December 01, 2010
And unlike Masdar, they HAVE to execute. It would absolutely kill their country's reputation to not deliver on a World Cup.
With that amount of spending, they will easily become a global leader in solar, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
Move over Abu Dhabi, here comes Qatar! Everyone pack your bags.
written by Robin , December 02, 2010
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And saving 54% of water compared to Abu Dhabi's baseline, the highest per-capita water consumption in the world, is supposed to impress us? If they are lucky, they "might" just lower their water consumption to levels considered normal everywhere else in the world.
Are people in that part of the world so out of touch with what is going on in the rest of the world that they think this is something special or newsworthy?
written by Stanford Ph.D in Environmental Sciences , November 27, 2010