DEWA receives 'Students for the Earth' at its Sustainable Building
Date
8/29/2015 5:18:21 AM
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
DUBAI 29th August 2015 (WAM)--Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received 40 students members of 'Student for the Earth' (Sfe) at its Sustainable Building in Al Quoz. Sfe is a UAE-based voluntary youth group and a member of Earth Charter International.
The visit supports DEWA's strategy to help students encourage purposeful environmental initiatives and strengthen the new generation's environmental awareness. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about DEWA's Green Building and the green technologies used in it.
The students were received by Khawla Al Mehairi Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications and Badr Al Saadi Senior Manager of Projects and Maintenance at DEWA. Sfe members watched a video presentation on the Sustainable Building and were than accompanied on a tour around the building. DEWA's Sustainable Building is the first sustainable government building in the UAE and the largest government building in the world to receive a Platinum Rating for green buildings from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
It has achieved 98 points out of 110 points as per the rating criteria for the design set by the US Green Building Council institute. The building uses 66% less energy thanks to the additional insulation in its walls and roof and special glass to reduce heat transfer into the building which helps reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. Highly efficient water cooled chillers cut down energy use.
The building uses renewable energy through an onsite 660kW solar power plant. The building also uses an integrated plan for managing rainwater to recycle water for use in irrigation. It cuts down 48% of the water used through water-flow devices sensor taps and low-flow fixtures. The building contains a water treatment plant to recycle 100% of the waste water.
"The Sustainable Building is green achievement that fits in with DEWA's vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility and its strategy to reduce energy and water use by conserving our precious natural resources and promoting dependence on new and renewable energy sources. It supports our efforts to protect the environment to achieve our long-term goal of the sustainable development of Dubai for generations to come" said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer MD & CEO of DEWA.
After the tour a session was held to answer students' questions about DEWA's Sustainable Building and to inform them about DEWA's strategies to support building sustainable energy projects in Dubai by increasing the percentage of renewable energy within Dubai's energy mix to 7% by 2020 and 15% by 2030.
'Students for the Earth' group expressed their admiration about the green technologies and innovative mechanisms DEWA uses in operating and managing the Sustainable Building. They thanked DEWA for receiving them and for the warm welcome.
WAM/Majok