Teams in the 2nd SDME confirm readiness with innovative models for smart and sustainable homes

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised the second international workshop for university teams participants in the second Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME). DEWA organises SDME 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. This is one aspect of the partnership between DEWA and the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy with the US Department of Energy. It will be organised in conjunction with Expo 2020 Dubai.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA inaugurated the three-day virtual workshop. Dina Mustafa, Head of Sustainability at Expo 2020 Dubai; Majd Fayyad, Technical Manager at Emirates Green Building Council; and DEWA officials were present.

In his opening speech, Al Tayer congratulated the participating teams for reaching this stage and praised their efforts during the extraordinary circumstances the world is facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has imposed unprecedented challenges everywhere.

“The UAE’s wise leadership attaches great importance to innovation and believes that youth are the cornerstone of building a brighter future. Hosting the first and second Solar Decathlon Middle East in Dubai is part of DEWA’s efforts to engage young people in sustainable development and encourage them to develop innovative solutions to fight climate change. DEWA will continue to provide everything necessary for the success of the 2nd Solar Decathlon Middle East, so that we are effective partners in sustainable development,” said Al Tayer.

The workshop featured meetings with SDME’s committees to talk about the criteria and answer the participating teams’ questions. The teams gave presentations about their projects, which are sustainable and innovative models of solar-powered homes. The participating teams include Team Makany from the United Arab Emirates University. Team Sharjah from the University of Sharjah. Team Desert Phoenix from the University of Louisville in the US, the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE, the American University in Dubai, and the American University of Sharjah. Team KU from Khalifa University in the UAE. Team Hab from the American University of Ras Al Khaimah and the University of Dubai. Team Harmony from the British University in Dubai. Team Aqua Green from Ajman University and the University of Sydney. Team Esteem, from Heriot-Watt University. Team Tawazun from Manipal Academy of Higher Education – Dubai Campus. Tmam from Effat University in Saudi Arabia. Team UoB from the University of Bahrain. Team Ahlia University, Bahrain. Team Solarution from Moulay Ismail University in Morocco. Team SCUTxCCSIC from South China University of Technology. Team Aswan University from Egypt.

The first SDME in 2018 achieved remarkable success. Thousands of visitors saw innovative models for smart, sustainable solar homes that are cost and energy efficient, taking into consideration the region’s climate. Participating teams compete in 10 contests: architecture; engineering and building; energy management; energy efficiency; comfort conditions; house functioning; sustainable transport; sustainability; communications, and innovation.