The second Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME 2021) for university students attracts innovative designs for low-cost, sustainable, zero-energy homes. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is organising SDME 2021.
Its designs combine luxury, flexibility, authenticity, and technical innovations. This makes them ideal for senior citizens and residents as well as People of Determination, entrepreneurs, experts, and professionals.
The SDME is the most competitive decathlon for university students. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, in a partnership between DEWA, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and the US Department of Energy. Dubai’s hosting of the first and second SDMEs, with total prizes of AED 20 million, raises the UAE’s position as a platform for creativity, an incubator for creative minds, and a destination for innovators from around the world.
“The SDME supports Dubai’s efforts as a city of the future that adopts sustainable solutions and provides spaces for youth worldwide to create and innovate. It also supports global efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. This is in accordance with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. SDME promotes DEWA’s role to accelerate the transition to zero energy buildings in Dubai and establish a sustainable model for energy and economic growth without harming the environment and its resources. SDME consolidates DEWA’s contributions to make Dubai a home for creative, happy and proud individuals living in a cohesive society,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
Team TAWAZUN of Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai Campus is presenting a design for a sustainable, smart, and ideal home for senior citizens, residents, and People of Determination. Its smart systems are easy to use and fix. The number of rooms inside the house could be adjusted or increased thanks to its resilient design and the ability to move its walls around. The extra rooms could be used to hold workshops and meetings. This is also ideal for families, entrepreneurs, and professionals. The house enables the reuse water coming from the washing machine or bathing tubs to water plants inside the house or in its backyard. Moreover, the house is designed to receive a platinum rating by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and a silver rating from the WELL Building Standard, and Estidama, the sustainability initiative of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC).
“The Solar Decathlon Middle East is a great opportunity to showcase research and innovation in home design, and an excellent example of what can be achieved through the collaboration of industry and academia. At Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai Campus, we encourage our students to embrace sustainability and we are confident that this is a platform to showcase sustainable, smart solutions, and the incorporation of advanced technologies in home design. We wish all the best to the teams participating in Solar Decathlon Middle East and we look forward to seeing best practices being incorporated into the design of future sustainable communities,” said Dr Jason Fitzsimmons, Academic President of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai Campus.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
