Dubai, UAE, 15 October 2018: The Seventh Annual EmiratesGBC Congress witnessed several discussions on meeting the net-zero emission goal in the United Arab Emirates. The Congress also paved the way for innovative ideas, while showcasing new projects in the region. Highlighting one such project was Mohammed Saeed Al Shamsi, Vice President, Civil Projects Engineering and Water Maintenance, DEWA. While describing the Al Sheraa building, which is to be the DEWA Headquarters and the first UAE government Net Zero Energy Building, he said, “The building will be the tallest, largest and smartest nZEB building in the region.” The building, he added, will have a footprint of 200,000 square feet and will be a unique project. Elaborating on the targets to achieving the goal, he said, “Our aim is to reduce energy consumption by 40%, while cutting 30% on maintenance cost and increasing employee productivity by 65%.” Al Shamsi said, 65% of the intended occupants have already agreed on making their workplace eco-friendly.

Mohammed Al Shamsi

The concern today is how we can best optimise energy, Al Shamsi said, while explaining the strategy to achieving the net-zero energy goal. “Basement parking will be brought above the ground to save energy and increase the amount of daylight entering the building. This in addition to a metro link, which will encourage the use of public transport, while reducing carbon emissions,” he said. Elaborating on the HVAC aspect, he added, “We will use magnetic chillers and evaporation cooling towers, in addition to innovative fresh air handling units.” Pointing to technology as the crux of energy optimisation, he said the aim is to minimise plug loads, use a water-based cooling distribution system and an on-demand control filtration system. The building will also have a PV roof with solar modules and hybrid solar collectors for hot water, he said.

In addition, the Al Sheraa will use technology such as Augmented Reality and IoT to carry out a predictive and prescriptive analysis of the various systems in the building, he said. “We are currently working with IBM to develop an application, which forecasts machine learning, facility and space management in building systems, in addition to an app for parking space management,” he said. People inside the building, he added, will be able to use the application not only to order their food but also to check-in and check-out and rate their experience.