Fifteen countries show smart sustainable home models at Solar Decathlon Middle East
Twenty one teams representing thirty-six universities from fifteen countries took part in the 2nd international workshop in the 1st round of the Solar Decathlon Middle East competition. The competition is a partnership between the Supreme Council of Energy and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) with the US Department of Energy, where Dubai will host 2 consecutive rounds, the first being in November this year and the second in 2020 in time for Expo2020. The total value of the prizes for the two rounds is over AED 20 million. During the three-day workshop the team members met with the organising committee for the last time before the actual competition. Participants learned about the competition rules, assessment mechanisms, health and safety conditions, and other criteria that must be met in the homes that students will build during the competition. The teams presented miniature modules of the homes that will qualify in the competition. Team members visited the competition site of over 60,000 square metres at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
The shortlisted teams are from The Petroleum Institute, Zayed University, University of Sharjah, University of Ferrara in Italy, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, New York University Abu Dhabi, American University of Dubai, American University of Ras al-Khaimah, University of Wollongong in Australia and in Dubai, Ajman University, King Saud University, Dhofar University, Oman, University of Bordeaux, France, Amity University UAE, An-Najah University from Palestine, Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism, the Technical University of Civil Engineering in Bucharest of Romania, and the Birla Institute of Technology & Science from the UAE, Virginia Tech, USA.
Others are Gabriele D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy, Pisa University, University of Naples, Sapienza University of Rome, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands, National Chiao Tung University of Taiwan, Universiti Teknologi and Universiti Sains Islam in Malaysia, University of Belgrade, Serbia, University of Jordan, National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan.
Solar Decathlon Middle East aims to encourage participating teams to design, build and operate sustainable models of solar homes that are cost-effective and energy-efficient, with a focus on environmental conservation and climate considerations. The teams compete in 10 different areas including: architecture, engineering and construction, energy management, energy efficiency, rest conditions, home function, sustainable transport, sustainability, communication and innovation.
