This is a looking back post, to when we visited this Eco-Villa in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi UAE, a couple of years ago.
We went here to supplement our science lesson about Solar Energy. Initially, our intention was to only to go to Masdar Institute and let our kids ride the electric car. It thought it was cool for them to experience a driverless car, powered by clean energy!
Driving to the place, we passed by this structure, which says, "Eco-Villa". We stopped by and were greeted by a friendly security guard who said we are welcome to tour inside the villa.
Looking from the outside, there isn't really anything that is remarkable with this villa.
The Eco-Villa
This is similar to any other villa here in the UAE, except that it is powered fully by solar energy. Everything from lights, air conditioning units, heaters and what you have, is powered by these solar panels.
It is a villa prototype that is said to cost the same as a conventional villa and uses 72% less energy than a villa of the same size.
This 4-bedroom villa is powered by 87 rooftop solar panels!
The Eco-Villa is but one of the many projects in Masdar City, said to be one of the world's most sustainable urban communities.
It is indeed a very ambitious project, but given what's been accomplished so far, it will really go a long way.
Masdar City employs different techonologies to produce clean energy:
- Photovoltaic Power - 10-megawatt (MW) Masdar City Solar PV plant
- Concentrated Solar Power - works much like a magnifying glass
Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems use mirrors to focus a large area of sunlight onto a much smaller area. When the concentrated light is converted into heat, it drives a heat engine connected to an electrical power generator.
- Wind (offshore)
- Waste-to-Energy - generating energy in the form of electricity or heat from the processing of municipal solid waste, or rubbish.
- Energy Storage - developing storage solutions as part of its commitment to help commercialise advanced clean technologies
- Demonstration Technology - Masdar City is a test bed for research and development of clean technologies
This is really an interesting project and it is amazing to see its development quickly rise over a short period.
We hope to be able to visit this Eco-City again in the near future and see how much has changed since our last visit.
Until then, let me leave you with this video of our first visit.
for this beautiful Hiveph badge!