NEWS

Solar power available to replace fossil fuel in the Gulf

Posted: 21 December 2005
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Solar power is available to replace fossil fuel in the Gulf, especially in providing energy for buildings. Not only does it offer alternative source of energy, solar radiation is also 10,000 times more powerful than all the energy used by mankind.

This was emphasised by Technical University of Munich professors Dr Thomas Herzog and Dr Gerhard Hausladen during the Intelligent Building Middle East exhibition.

They said the Middle East is fortunate to have hot months as this heat can be used for cooling buildings. This complements the region’s increased need of energy during summer.

Herzog said the case in European climate is different as more energy is used for heating than for cooling. “In Europe more power is needed during the winter so the technology has to have the capability for more storage.”

Hausladen added: “Though a handful of solar powered buildings already exist in Europe , they are currently not in use in the Middle East . They can be built using the same budget set for normal buildings but at the moment, construction will take a little longer.

"Architects must not look at building construction the same way as vehicle manufacturing. Vehicles have to work in all climates because they are mobile but buildings stay in one place so more consideration and tailoring should be taken to suit their locations."

For example, Herzog said, glass can be used if it is treated properly and if it has the right shade. But if you use any kind of glass, you rather create the greenhouse effect which in the end requires you more fossil fuels to be burned.

The challenge is to embrace technology as a liberator in terms of comfort and economic development, they said.

“However, as architects and engineers involved in the design our future built environment, we must not forget our search for elegant simplicity in the application of new technologies in our buildings,” Herzog added.

Posted by Editor Offshore Arabia Magazine
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