Ajman University Team Selected to Compete at Solar Decathlon 2018
Ajman University makes it to the list of teams selected to participate in the prestigious Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced the names of the teams selected to participate in the Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) 2018. Dubai will host the Solar Decathlon in 2018, and once again in 2020, to coincide with the Dubai Expo 2020. The announcement of the selected teams was made during the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2016, which is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
SDME was created through an agreement between the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, DEWA, and the United States Department of Energy. The decathlon challenges teams to design and build smart houses that operate solely on solar power.
Ajman University is proud of this opportunity to participate in a competition that allows our staff and students to collaborate on a project that can help advance the UAE’s push towards more sustainability.
The preliminary designs will be for a house which does not use traditional concrete block and poured reinforced concrete roofs, as it would not be possible to later transport such a structure to the exhibition site location in Dubai. Instead, a more transportable construction methods using larger building components will be utilized.
With the intention to maximize the energy savings and minimize consumption to the lowest level the construction will be using a building shell that is super insulated with at least 10cm of insulation material. The whole structure will be treated for infiltration. Not typically a problem in the UAE but the requirements for transfer of the building from one place to another requires the construction to be transportable. Thus increasing the joints and the possibility of air infiltration.
Low energy cooling systems will also be experimented with that may be operated using the limited amount of electricity generated by solar panels. Other concerns that will be address are minimizing heat transfer through windows and doors. Using low energy appliances. Green material and furniture. Provide reusable, recycled and sustainable furniture. The appropriate use of non-toxic materials and finishes such as; paints, wood, floor and ceiling finishing. Use exterior plants to reduce solar reflections on the building. Using grey and recycled water.
All these incorporated into a comfortable and aesthetically designed contemporary home will be basis of the our exceptional project to feature in the 2018 Solar Decathlon Middle East.
