dewa - R&D Centre in Dubai
PHOTOVOLTAIC FAÇADE SYSTEM
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority will open soon its new Research and Development Centre in Dubai. “This center aims to support DEWA’s vision to promote sustainability in energy supply, diversify energy sources, and create a business environment that encourages innovation”, according to Mr. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA. The R&D center was launched in 2014 and is currently in the construction phase.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF AMORPHOUS SILICON PHOTOVOLTAIC FAÇADE IN DUBAI
<0,01€
Energy cost
37%
Reduction in HVAC energy demands
22%
Internal Rate of Return
<5 years
Payback
Data:
Total Area - 1,000 M2- Electricity generated in 35 years - 490,597 kWh
- Total lighting points operating 4 hours per day in 35 years - 963 lighting points
- CO2 emmisions avoided in 35 years - 329 Tons of CO2
- Barrels of oil saved in 35 years - 289 barrels per m2
Total Area - 1,000 M2
Electricity generated in 35 years - 490,597 kWh
Total lighting points operating 4 hours per day in 35 years - 963 lighting points
CO2 emmisions avoided in 35 years - 329 Tons of CO2
Barrels of oil saved in 35 years - 289 barrels per m2
The center will focus its work in four main areas: Solar Power, Smart Grid Integration, Energy efficiency and water. The building will host labs for electronics, programming, electrical and mechanical testing, and prototypes.
The building is designed by Stantec International; the consulting company responsible also for the construction of the $136m R&D center along with GBH International Contracting.
As part of the sustainability commitment of DEWA, the building will incorporate 1000 sqm of photovoltaic glass manufactured by Onyx Solar, 100% customized to fit the design requirements of the building. The four facades of the building will implement Onyx Solar amorphous silicon glass with transparency degree XXL and 6 different colors (orange, yellow and green tones), creating a multicolored façade that provides a unique effect to the building. The PV fins are made of three layers of glass with semi-transparency, letting 30% visible light to pass thru the fin.
The PV glasses offer a nominal power of 28 Wp per sqm and they will be installed in the façade in a frameless system. Each fin is composed of several photovoltaic glasses, with a fixed width dimension of 800 mm and a variable length, adapting each fin to the design of the façade.
The PV fins are fixed to the façade through a steel tube structure with a staple system provided by Lilli Systems. The fins are tilted and rotated 31º from the vertical façade, to optimize the performance of the system and avoid self-shading situations. The location of the junction boxes was designed to ease the electrical installation of the system.
The two entrance canopies on north and west facades will also integrate Onyx Solar semitransparent glass to maintain visual continuity in the complete building envelope. Due to the multiple irregular glass sizes composing the canopies, the glass is inactive but maintaining the same aesthetic look than the active units.
Team:
Client: Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, Government of United Arab Emirates.
Architect: Stantec