Solar Powered Crystalline Mall in Abu Dhabi - Research Paper Example

? Solar Powered Crystalline Mall in Abu Dhabi (UAE) Solar Powered Crystalline Mall in Abu Dhabi (UAE) Literature Review Part Solar energy Solar Power As An Alternative Form Of Energy http://sustainableenergysystemz.com/solar-power-as-an-alternative-form-of-energy/1582/ In this article, Watson (2012) examines the sun as an alternative form of energy. Watson (2012) argues that initially people did not know how important power from solar is. This is because people thought that it could only be used to generate electricity, heating and cooking. These form the fundamental uses of solar energy. However, Watson (2012) points out that with time, people began realizing that power from solar can also be used on a wider scale than they thought. In this regard, he points out that today, solar power is used even in residential homes for the production of energy used for opening gates, lighting and heating. In addition, he also noted that some cars today are powered using solar energy. Watson also pointed out that solar power also has a lot of benefits. In this regard, he argues that the use o solar power helps in reducing cost since to reduce dependency on traditional sources of energy. Moreover, Watson (2012) pointed that solar energy is eco-friendly and is, therefore, a good move towards conserving the environment. Part 2: The origin, potential, and importance of solar energy. http://solarword.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-origin-potential-and-importance-of.html. In this article, Haluzan (2012) explores the origin, potential, and importance of solar energy. He argues that the sun’s radiation is one of the most important natural resource provided free and is limitless. Haluzan (2012) argues that without the sun, the plant where we live cannot support life. He reveal that projection by the International Energy Agency announced in 2011, showed that, with the invention of new technologies, the solar radiation will provide at least a third of energy by the year 2060 based on the fact the world is currently moving towards the use of renewable sources of energy of which solar is one of them. However, Haluzan (2012) is quick to point out that many countries have not yet embraced the adoption of energy from solar fully because the technologies used in solar lack the cost-parity with fossil fuel. Nevertheless, he also points out that many countries continue to adopt the use of solar technologies by installing solar panels on buildings for both domestic and industrial use. In addition to providing energy for domestic and industrial use, Haluzan (2012) also pointed out that the use of solar power will help reduce the amount of greenhouse emissions to the environment. This will help mitigate the impacts o climate change and make the world a good place to live. Part number 3: The advantage and disadvantage of solar energy http://exploringgreentechnology.com/solar-energy/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar-energy/. In this article, Whitburn (2012) discusses the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. The advantages in this case according to Whitbun (2012) include the fact that solar energy does not pollute the environment. This is because it does not produce greenhouse gases like fossil fuels. He also noted that this is the main resource behind the advocacy for solar under the green energy technology as countries attempt to mitigate the impacts of climate change caused by greenhouse emissions. Secondly, solar energy is natural and provide free. Further, it does not require expensive raw materials, as is the case with fossil fuel. Thirdly, Whitbun (2012) notes that the use of solar power is advantageous because it offers decentralization of power since it create self-reliance in society. In addition, he points out that solar power, unlike other sources of energy can be produced on or off the grid (powersourcesolar.com, n.d). Other advantages pointed out by Whitbun (2012) include that fact that its production helps in job creation, as well as saving the ecosystem and people among others. However, Whitbun (2012) also pointed certain disadvantages associated with solar power. The first in the list is the fact that solar power is inefficient. He also pointed out that the technology used in storing power has a lot of shortcomings. In addition, the cost of installing solar panels is expensive and thus cannot be afforded by many. Part number 4: Why solar energy http://www.solarpowernotes.com/why-solar-energy.html Solar power has a lot of benefits as noted in this website. The benefits as pointed out in the website include the fact that it is ultra clean as it has no pollution effects o the environment. The use of solar power is also beneficial because it is natural and obtainable free of charge. In addition, the use of solar energy has attached financial benefits because its use reduced electricity bills, which is beneficial. The use of solar power also enables one to have control over his power thereby avoiding the volatile energy costs associated with energy from fossil fuels. Further, energy from solar can be used for a variety of purposes, which includes heating, lighting, and cooling among others (solarpowernotes.com, n.d). Part#5: Solar energy benefits Solar energy may be used in UAE to keep food safe as it is transported. http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/solar-energy-may-be-used-in-uae-to-keep-food-safe-as-it-is-transported. In this article, Malek (2012) examines the use of solar energy as a food preservative equipment power supplier in the UAE. In this regard, he notes that as technology improves and the country is moving towards the use of renewable sources of energy such as solar power, soon main food preservatives equipments such as freezers, chillers , lorries and cool containers will be powered using solar energy. He notes that this is part of the government’s commitments to ensuring that the country go green and reduce its dependence on fossil fuel as the main source of energy. In addition, Malek (2012) points out that solar energy will reduce greenhouse emission that pollutes the environment. This is because energy from solar is green and has no emissions that adversely affect the environment. Despite the fact that using solar for powering preservative equipment is still a theory, Malek (2012) was quick to point out that intensive research is ongoing in the UAE to ensure that the dream become a reality. He also pointed out that the government’s commitments to ensuring that this dream becomes a reality was witnessed in the government’s move to establish the Shams 1 solar power plant, which is the largest solar power project in the region. This project will supply at least 100-GWh to ensure that the dream become a reality according to Malek (2012). Part 6 UAE poised to become leader in renewable energy. http://www.khaleejtimes.com/ktarticledisplay1.asp?xfile=data/uaebusiness/2012/October/uaebusiness_October80.xml§ion=uaebusiness. In this article, the Staff Reporter explores the move made by the UAE to become the leader in renewable sources of energy. As such, the Staff Reporter (2012) reveals that the UAE have hugely depended on fossil fuel as its main source of energy. He attributes this high dependency to the fact that UAE have abundant oil and gas reserves. In fact, UAE, a federal of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Umm Al Qaiwain, Sharja, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah is the fifth largest exporter of oil in the world, supplying at least 2.3 million barrels daily to the global market (Staff Reporter 2012). Staff Reporter (2012) reveals that UAE’s oil reserves are the seventh largest globally. At the same time, the United Arab Emirate also ranks among the top ten in the world in terms of natural gas reserve holding. In spite of this, there has been an increasing realization that energy from fossil fuels such as oil and gas are limited and pose serious economic and environmental challenges (Staff Reporter, 2012). For instance, the use of fossil fuel has been criticized all over the world and blamed for the production of greenhouse gasses that cause the global warming. The effects of global warming have adversely affected the environment by causing changes in weather patterns. This has resulted in increased droughts, in different parts of the world, increased glacial movements, rising water tides and tsunamis just to name but a few. Therefore, to mitigate the effects of environmental challenges posed by greenhouse gases, world leaders have proposed the use of renewable sources of energy as alternative to energy from fossil fuel (International Renewable Energy Agency, 2011). The first agreement was reached during the Kyoto Protocol of 2005 that saw world leaders including UAE agreed to initiate programs aimed at mitigating the effects of greenhouse gaseous pollution (Staff Reporter, 2012). On such measures agreed upon was the use of renewable sources of energy as an alternative to fossil fuel. Therefore, the UAE did abide by the Kyoto resolution and has since then been initiating programs aimed at ensuring that it becomes a regional leader in terms of renewable energy production and use so as to promote energy efficiency in the country (Staff Reporter, 2012). As a result, the Dubai government has in the recent past moved with speed to put in place slew of plans intended to generate renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar, which is abundant in the region (Malta, 2012). The most ambitious plans of all the projects were seen in the government’s move to create a multi-billion Dirham solar energy Park under the management of Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (Dewa). The project is intended to be completed by the year 2030 and is intended to produce up to 1,000 MW of power by 2030. Saeed Al Tayer of the Supreme Council of Energy for Dubai (DSCE) stated that the completion of the project would provide additional 5% of power to Dubai’s according to Staff Reporter (2012). This move is intended to mitigate the impacts of greenhouse gaseous emissions that have adversely affected the environment. Therefore, the use of renewable sources of energy is one way of preserving the natural resources and ensures that UAE becomes a healthy country to live in according to Al Tayer (Staff Reporter, 2012). The UAE’s commitment to becoming a green city with renewable sources of energy was also witnessed in 2006 when the government established the Masdar program in Abu Dhabi (Malta, 2012). With the help of Masdar, Abu Dhabi has established Shams 1, which is the largest solar harnessing plant in the entire Middle East. Shams 1 is capable of producing 100 megawatts of solar power, which will then be supplied in Abu Dhabi for both industrial and domestic use. At the same time, plans are underway to increase the production capacity of Shams 1 to produce more solar energy. Staff Reporter (2012) reveals that Masdar is also in the process of constructing its second solar power plant in the UAE, the Nour 1, which will also be capable of producing 100-megawatts of solar power. The construction of the two solar plants in the country clearly shows how the government of the UAE is very much committed to ensuring that 7% renewable energy production target in Abu Bhabi is achieved by 2020 (Staff Reporter, 2012). In addition, plans are also underway in Dubai region to develop a 1-gigawatt solar power park by the year 2030. This move will enable the UAE to realize a 5% of solar energy production capacity, notes Staff Reporter (2012). Part 7 Solar panels to help cut carbon dioxide emissions. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/solar-panels-to-help-cut-carbon-dioxide-emissions-1.877572. According to this article, Kader (2011) talks of the commitments of the government of Abu Dhabi to reduce its greenhouse gaseous emissions by investing in alternative sources of energy. Kader (2011) noted that the government installed solar panels in 11 houses in Abu Dhabi, a move that will help reduce greenhouse gaseous emissions by at least 3,220 tones to the environment. At the same time, the solar panels will generate about 4.025 GWh of electric powers every year. In turn, this will help reduce the Abu Dhabi’s dependency of power from fossil fuels. Some of the buildings that have been fitted with solar panels in Abu Dhabi according to Kader (2011) include Technology (1MW), Masdar Institute of Science, Abu Dhabi Municipality (100 kW) and Crown Prince Court (300 kW) (Kader, 2011). Others include Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (125 kW), Al Ameen School (50 kW), Armed Officer's Club (100 kW), Al Mamoura (210 kW), Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technology (300 kW), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (100 kW) and a private villa (15kW) according to Kader (2011). Part 8 Alternative energy in the UAE http://www.uaetrade-usa.org/index.php?page=economic-sectors-in-uae&cmsid=51 In this website, the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the UAE discusses measures that have been put in place by the UAE government to ensure that the country realizes its renewable energy target of 7% by the year 2020. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Trade reports that UAE is in the process of trying to move away from its over dependent on energy from fossil fuel. In this regard, it points out that Masdar is very much committed to financing the country’s alternative sources of energy to ensure that it reduces its overreliance on oil. In this website, it is also reported that the International Renewable Energy Agency was recently founded which will be based in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City (United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Trade, 2012). References Haluzan, N. (2012). The origin, potential and importance of solar energy. Retrieved from http://solarword.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-origin-potential-and-importance-of.html. Kader, B.A. (2011). Solar panels to help cut carbon dioxide emissions. Gulf News. Retrieved from http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/solar-panels-to-help-cut-carbon-dioxide-emissions-1.877572 Malek, C. (2012). Solar energy may be used in UAE to keep food safe as it is transported. The National. Retrieved from http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/solar-energy-may-be-used-in-uae-to-keep-food-safe-as-it-is-transported Sills, B., & Daya, A. (2010). Dust Blocking Sun Rays at Solar Plant in Abu Dhabi, Masdar Official Says. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-27/dust-blocking-sun-s-rays-at-solar-plant-in-uae-masdar-official-says.html. solarpowernotes.com (n.d). Why solar energy - Why solar power - Importance of solar energy. Retrieved from http://www.solarpowernotes.com/why-solar-energy.html#.UTznJWdOsdN. Staff Reporter (2012). UAE poised to become leader in renewable energy. Khaleej Times. Retrieved from http://www.khaleejtimes.com/ktarticledisplay1.asp?xfile=data/uaebusiness/2012/October/uaebusiness_October80.xml§ion=uaebusiness Watson, M. (2012). Solar Power As An Alternative Form Of Energy. Retrieved from http://sustainableenergysystemz.com/solar-power-as-an-alternative-form-of-energy/1582/. United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Trade (2012). Alternative Energy. Retrieved from http://www.uaetrade-usa.org/index.php?page=economic-sectors-in-uae&cmsid=51. powersourcesolar.com (n.d). Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved from http://powersourcesolar.com/5151/index.html. Malta, V. (2012). UAE energy outlook: Factors for global renewable energy roadmaps. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate of Energy and Climate Change. P.1-2. International Renewable Energy Agency (2011). Abu Dhabi communique on renewable energy for accelerating Africa’s development. P.1-2. Read More