Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organised an introductory meeting for the teams participating in the first Solar Decathlon – Middle East (SDME) 2018. Teams were briefed about health & safety, logistics, and other organisational issues. Teams have started to construct the houses they designed for the competition. Teams have to build and operate cost-effective and energy-efficient sustainable solar-powered homes, with a focus on protecting the environment, taking into consideration the regional climate. The participating teams will take part in 10 contests: architecture; engineering and building; energy management; energy efficiency; comfort conditions; house functioning; sustainable transport; sustainability; communications, and innovation.
A total of 15 teams representing 28 universities from 11 countries are taking part in the 1st SDME, which DEWA is organising in partnership with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and the US Department of Energy. The second SDME will be held in 2020 to coincide with Expo 2020 Dubai. The total prizes for the 1st and 2nd completions exceed AED20 million. DEWA has dedicated over 60,000 square metres for the competition at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Seih Al Dahl in Dubai. DEWA has invited the public to visit SDME to view the houses and meet the teams from 14-29 November 2018.
The meeting was attended by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and MD & CEO of DEWA, HE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy; Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA, Dr Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources, Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future at DEWA, as well as members of SDME’s Steering Committee and sponsors.
In his keynote speech, Al Tayer welcomed the participating teams from around the world.
“I am pleased to welcome guests of the UAE, the creativity and innovation hub, with an investor-friendly environment that is shaping the future under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Our wise leadership adopts innovation and believes in the potential and capabilities of young people as the driving force for building a brighter future and the cornerstone of sustainable development. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, this is the first time the Solar Decathlon is happening in the Middle East and Africa, here in Dubai. This supports our efforts to provide opportunities for young people to unleash their capabilities and encourage them to be creative and innovative; contributing to sustainable development by developing innovative solutions that support global efforts to combat the effects of global warming and ensure a sustainable future,” said Al Tayer.
“This Solar Decathlon is especially important as it is being organised in the Year of Zayed, which marks 100 years since the birth of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, who consolidated the principles of sustainable development in the UAE. I am pleased to welcome you to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world. This has been selected as the site of the competition due to its importance as a pioneer for a new phase of green economy. This is part of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy, and make Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world,” added Al Tayer.
“When I met some of you in the workshops we organised, I experienced your determination to make a difference, and I was impressed by the innovative designs I saw. I’m confident that your model homes will be important additions that can be implemented in smart homes. This will contribute to the conservation and sustainability of natural resources, for generations to come. Your designs and models will also encourage your colleagues at your universities and other universities around the world to participate in the second Solar Decathlon Middle East. We will organise this in conjunction with Expo 2020 Dubai, whose theme Connecting Minds… Creating the Future,’ fits well with this leading international competition,” said Al Tayer, addressing the students.
Al Tayer concluded by thanking the sponsors and partners and appreciating their role in organising this international completion in Dubai, which is taking place for the first time in the Middle East and Africa.
Richard King, SDME Senior Advisor, and Gary West, Head of Future Mobility at General Motors Africa & Middle East, also gave speeches at the event.
SDME Steering Committee includes the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy; Ministry of Cabinet Affairs & The Future; Ministry of Energy & Industry; Ministry of Education; Dubai Municipality; Dubai Police; Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Expo 2020 Dubai; and Dubai Future Foundation. SDME sponsors include the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy; Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar); Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC); General Electric; and Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power. General Motors Middle East is providing 17 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles for the teams to use during the competition.