Lecture Notes: Sustainable City in Dubai

Introduction

• Speaker: Robert
• Series: Fully Charged - Future of Energy and Transport
• Location: Sustainable City, Dubai, UAE

Overview of Sustainable City

• Objective: Achieve net zero energy development
• Key Design Elements:
  • Reduce energy intensity
  • Villas oriented towards the north for shade
  • Use of UV reflective paint to deflect sunlight
  • High thermal value windows and roofs

Water Management

• Grey Water System:
  • Treated water from washing machines, showers, etc.
  • Separated into black water and grey water streams
  • Utilized for irrigation and cooling pads
• Water Features:
  • Great water used for landscape irrigation and aesthetic features

Solar Energy

• Solar Panel Installation:
  • 10 megawatt peak installed capacity
  • 40,000 PV panels planned, 26,000 installed
  • 3 megawatts from parking areas
• Daily Energy Production:
  • 10 megawatt hours of solar energy generated per day
  • Energy feeds back into the grid for various uses in the city

Community Facilities

• Pool System:
  • Closed system, water filtered and treated
  • Environmental treatment system in place
• Landscape and Farming:
  • Community-managed farming area
  • Diverse crops including date palms, avocado, papaya, pomegranates
  • Irrigated with treated grey water

Economic Sustainability

• Zero Service Fees:
  • No service or maintenance fees for residents, funded by rental revenue from commercial spaces
• Mixed-Use Area:
  • 15,000 square meters for commercial rental space

Environmental Impact

• Carbon Emissions:
  • Average carbon emission per person: 3.1 metric tons/year
  • Compared to global average of 7 metric tons/year
• Mobility and Electric Vehicles:
  • Charging stations installed
  • Cash subsidy for villa owners purchasing electric vehicles (up to €10,000)

Farming Innovations

• Low-Tech Solutions:
  • Air conditioning for farming using fans and wet cardboard
  • Utilizes treated grey water for irrigation
• Benefits:
  • Maintains cooler temperatures for crops during hot seasons

Conclusion

• Future-Ready Approach:
  • Emphasis on sustainability and reducing environmental footprint
• Importance of Community Involvement:
  • Engaging residents in sustainability practices and solutions

---

• Overall, the Sustainable City is a pioneering project in integrating energy efficiency, sustainable water management, and economic viability.