A new study offers a glimpse of a villa that could help the UAE to achieve its net-zero energy targets without compromising on suitability for the extreme climate.
Design features such as shading, solar panels and an underground heat exchanger mean that if the building were to be constructed, the electricity that it took from the grid would be no more than the amount it supplied to the grid through generating its own power.
Using 3D printing could make the villa – which includes a majlis, a liwan leading into a central courtyard and a living area – less expensive to build than a standard villa if large numbers were produced, the new study suggests.
The design is created to be suitable as housing for Emirati families, and so hundreds or thousands of similar or identical buildings could be made.
Dr Tareq Abuimara, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor in the Washington State University School of Design and Construction, said that the building used “passive design” features from traditional UAE architecture to keep temperatures low.
“Most of the passive energies are taken from the vernacular [local or traditional] architecture, like increasing insulation or the thickness of the house, adding thermal mass to the house, using architectural shading. We’re trying to avoid heat from getting into the house,” said Dr Abuimara, who was an assistant professor at UAE University in Al Ain when the project started.
The UAE is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. As part of the plan, it plans to invest Dh200 billion ($54 billion) by 2030 to ensure energy demand is met while sustaining economic growth.
To help achieve the target, the UAE has started various projects and initiatives, such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, one of the world’s largest. The development will have a total capacity of 5,000 MW or five million kilowatts, and will reduce carbon emissions by 6.5 million tonnes every year when completed in 2030. This is just one portion of the Dh147 billion earmarked for investment into clean energy sources over the past 15 years.
Cooling down the house
The building uses a geothermal cooling system, which involves pipes that run underground. In summer, when the land underneath the villa is cooler than the outside air (because land underground heats or cools more slowly than the air), water or air can flow through the pipes so that the cooling effect can be felt in the house.
“Geothermal does not totally eliminate the mechanical cooling or heating, but it saves a lot,” Dr Abuimara said. “Let’s say I have air or water that has a temperature during the summer of 40-something. In the UAE, we pump some of this water through the soil so that it releases some of the heat to the cooler soil.
“Then, I will have my chiller or cooling equipment having to cool 28º water or air instead of 40º water or air. It’s a saving mechanism.”
While there would be an initial cost for creating the network of pipes, Dr Abuimara said that in the long run there would be financial savings and lower emissions.
Photovoltaic or solar panels on the roof of the villa would generate energy. At times of surplus, energy could be transferred to the grid. The villa is designed so that overall it does not take more electricity from the grid than it supplies to it.
The cost of 3D printing the villa would be much higher if a single unit were produced, but lower for each property if many similar villas were built.
The researchers’ calculations suggest the villa could cost as much as 20 per cent less than a villa produced using standard construction methods.
As well as 3D printing, the building design also makes use of hollow core concrete slabs, which have circular voids that reduce the amount of material used.
The design includes a central courtyard, which offers privacy to the villa residents and improves the natural ventilation.
Also involved in the project was Dr Madhar Haddad, an associate professor at UAE University, and four students – Alyazia Aldhaheri, Maitha Alzubaidi, Meerah Alyafei and Rauda Alderei.
The study, House of the Future: Designing a Net-Zero Energy Housing Archetype for Emirati Families, was published in Environmental Science and Sustainable Development last month.
Aside from the carbon emissions generated by operating buildings, the emissions from making building materials and from the construction process – the embodied or embedded emissions – are also a concern.
Prof Ljubomir Jankovic, author of Designing Zero Carbon Buildings: Embodied and Operational Emissions in Achieving True Zero, said that over time buildings with negative emissions – meaning that they supplied more power to the grid than they extracted – could cancel out their embodied emissions. This can take decades, although with some buildings the period is much shorter, depending on the balance between embodied and operational emissions.
Net-zero properties around the world included, he said, the Birmingham Zero Carbon House, a retrofitted terraced house in Birmingham in England built in 1840. The Floating Office Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and the new global headquarters of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (Ashrae), a renovated 1978 building in the US state of Georgia, are other notable examples.
New material
The embodied emissions could be reduced, Prof Jankovic said, by using biologically derived materials, such as timber, straw bale, adobe (a mixture of clay and straw) and hempcrete (a bio-composite of hemp and lime).
“Bio-based materials help to reduce the starting emissions. But you can’t make a building completely out of these bio-based materials. You need to use some conventional materials,” said Prof Jankovic, who is professor of energy and buildings at the University of Salford in the UK.
He said that by maximising the use of bio-based materials, which have less embodied carbon, the amount of energy that the building needed to generate itself to achieve net zero over its lifetime was reduced.
According to Aaron Gillich, professor of building performance and policy at London South Bank University, while the use of low-carbon alternatives to concrete and steel should be maximised, such materials are more difficult to produce at the scale needed.
“The biggest commercial driver for this will be material efficiency,” he said. “In the past, we would just throw a lot of materials and energy at a project because it was quicker or easier than optimising the design.
“So, we’ve come a long way with this, and you can reduce construction costs and embodied carbon with good design and material efficiency, so this is a win-win.”
To make net-zero buildings more common, it may be necessary to develop business models in which developers benefit from using materials with lower embodied carbon.
“If the interests of developers and building users are aligned, then there’s no problem,” Prof Jankovic said. “If the developers can benefit from reduced energy bills over a number of years from a building, and therefore contribute to reduced carbon emissions, that would be a win-win.”
Net zero buildings can be more comfortable – because it is easier to keep temperatures to desired levels, such as through improved insulation – and cheaper to run, Prof Gillich said.
“It’s about giving people something better, not taking something away,” he said. “Net zero is an upgrade, not a compromise.”
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Can NRIs vote in the election?
Indians residing overseas cannot cast their ballot abroad
Non-resident Indians or NRIs can vote only by going to a polling booth in their home constituency
There are about 3.1 million NRIs living overseas
Indians have urged political parties to extend the right to vote to citizens residing overseas
A committee of the Election Commission of India approved of proxy voting for non-resident Indians
Proxy voting means that a person can authorise someone residing in the same polling booth area to cast a vote on his behalf.
This option is currently available for the armed forces, police and government officials posted outside India
A bill was passed in the lower house of India’s parliament or the Lok Sabha to extend proxy voting to non-resident Indians
However, this did not come before the upper house or Rajya Sabha and has lapsed
The issue of NRI voting draws a huge amount of interest in India and overseas
Over the past few months, Indians have received messages on mobile phones and on social media claiming that NRIs can cast their votes online
The Election Commission of India then clarified that NRIs could not vote online
The Election Commission lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police asking it to clamp down on the people spreading misinformation
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Abu Dhabi GP starting grid
1 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
3 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
4 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
5 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
6 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7 Romain Grosjean (Haas)
8 Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
9 Esteban Ocon (Force India)
10 Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
11 Carlos Sainz (Renault)
12 Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
13 Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
14 Sergio Perez (Force India)
15 Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
16 Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
17 Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
18 Stoffe Vandoorne (McLaren)
19 Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
20 Lance Stroll (Williams)
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
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Company%20profile
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India Test squad
Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rahul, Vijay, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Karun, Karthik (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bumrah, Thakur
Crime%20Wave
%3Cp%3EHeavyweight%20boxer%20Fury%20revealed%20on%20Sunday%20his%20cousin%20had%20been%20%E2%80%9Cstabbed%20in%20the%20neck%E2%80%9D%20and%20called%20on%20the%20courts%20to%20address%20the%20wave%20of%20more%20sentencing%20of%20offenders.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERico%20Burton%2C%2031%2C%20was%20found%20with%20stab%20wounds%20at%20around%203am%20on%20Sunday%20in%20Goose%20Green%2C%20Altrincham%20and%20subsequently%20died%20of%20his%20injuries.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%E2%80%9CMy%20cousin%20was%20murdered%20last%20night%2C%20stabbed%20in%20the%20neck%20this%20is%20becoming%20ridiculous%20%E2%80%A6%20idiots%20carry%20knives.%20This%20needs%20to%20stop%2C%E2%80%9D%0D%20Fury%20said.%20%E2%80%9CAsap%2C%20UK%20government%20needs%20to%20bring%20higher%20sentencing%20for%20knife%20crime%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20a%20pandemic%20%26amp%3B%20you%20don%E2%80%99t%20know%20how%20bad%20it%20is%20until%20%5Bit%E2%80%99s%5D%201%20of%20your%20own!%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Intercontinental Cup
Namibia v UAE Saturday Sep 16-Tuesday Sep 19
Table 1 Ireland, 89 points; 2 Afghanistan, 81; 3 Netherlands, 52; 4 Papua New Guinea, 40; 5 Hong Kong, 39; 6 Scotland, 37; 7 UAE, 27; 8 Namibia, 27
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
