DEWA's green buildings reduce carbon emissions and support the shift to a sustainable green economy

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) applies the highest local and international standards for green buildings at all its assets. DEWA is committed to create a sustainable built environment that is energy, water, and material-resource efficient, whilst reducing the building’s impact on human health and the environment, throughout its life cycle. This supports the UAE’s efforts to create a green and sustainable economy as well as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for the UAE against climate change and the Smart Dubai initiative to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, highlighted DEWA’s efforts to increase its contribution in accelerating the shift towards Net Zero Energy Buildings and establishing a sustainable energy model that supports economic growth, without damaging the environment and its resources. DEWA collaborates with the Emirates Green Buildings Council (Emirates GBC) and other public and private organisations to maintain the success achieved by surpassing the targets of the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy. In 2019, DEWA achieved a global milestone, represented by Dubai getting the Platinum Rating in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Cities certification awarded by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). This makes Dubai the first city in the Arab world and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to receive this prestigious certification. Dubai has surpassed the target of reducing 16% of emissions by 2021, by reducing 22% of emissions in 2019. DEWA’s efforts to adopt green buildings have been crowned with winning two awards in 2020. These are the Net Zero Building Project of the Year for its Innovation Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park; and the Sustainable Design Project of the Year for its new headquarters ‘Al Shera’a’.

DEWA’s Sustainable Building

DEWA’s Sustainable Building in Al Quoz, Dubai is the first sustainable government building in the UAE and the largest government building in the world in 2013 to receive a Platinum Rating for green buildings from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Recycled materials comprised 36% of the construction materials used. 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 low powered LED lights and automatic lighting control systems with occupancy sensors. In addition, renewable energy is available through an on-site 660 kilowatt (kW) solar power plant. The Sustainable Building’s systems help reduce water consumption by 48%. All sewage water is treated by a grey water treatment and sewage treatment plant. Furthermore, to reduce the Heat Island Effect, the building has a green roof that ensures the reuse of treated wastewater.

Sustainable Building Parking

DEWA’s Sustainable Building Parking structure received the Parksmart certificate from the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) of the US Green Building Council (USGBC). It is the first building in the Middle East and North Africa to receive Pioneer certification, the highest class within this certificate. The Parksmart certification is awarded following the evaluation of a parking facility in certain areas including design, operation, innovation in the use of technologies, energy efficiency, reducing environmental impact, operational efficiency, and programme quality. The Sustainable Building’s parking received 102 points, to qualify for pioneer category certification which requires achieving a minimum of 90 points.

Al-Shera’a Building

DEWA’s new headquarters, called Al-Shera’a (Arabic for sail), will be the tallest, largest, and smartest government Zero Energy building in the world. Total energy used in the building during a year will be equal to or less than the energy produced on-site during that year. DEWA’s new headquarters is designed to receive a platinum rating by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and a silver rating from the WELL Building Standard. Al-Sheraa’s built-up area is over 2 million square feet.

The building will have 15 floors, a basement and 4 floors of car parking. The building can house more than 5,000 people. Facilities will include a 500 seating auditorium, training halls, a creativity centre, an exhibition hall, a nursery, and a gym, among others. The building will have over 20,000 square metres of photovoltaic solar panels rated to over 4,000 kilowatts. There will be 1,000 square metres of Building Integrated Photovoltaics.

The building will generate over 6,500 megawatt hours (MWh) a year of renewable energy. It is intended to use 50% less water than regular buildings. DEWA’s new headquarters will be directly linked to Jadaf metro station. This will encourage the use of public transport, to reduce traffic and the carbon footprint. It will use the latest technologies including IoT, Big Data and Open Data, AI, and the latest smart-building management technologies.

Innovation Centre

The Innovation Centre has achieved LEED platinum, scoring 101 out of 110 points in the first quarter of 2020. The building achieved this distinction with high green marks in the areas of water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency and innovation and design. The building also harvests rainwater and treats greywater on site. Specifically, it reduces energy consumption by around 24%, without the integration of renewable energy. Inside, 100% of the building annual energy consumption covered by on-site renewable energy production systems, namely BIPV, PV Solar Plant and Solar Hot Water System. The building saves 50% of its water in all fixtures and had 24% of its building materials manufactured locally.

R&D Centre

DEWA’s R&D Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the only centre in the UAE that focuses on renewable energy, smart grid technologies and energy efficiency. The R&D Centre received a Platinum Rating for green buildings from LEED by the US Green Building Council in 2019. The Centre has photovoltaic panels installed on its roof and car parking as well as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) in its walls. The building reduces energy consumption by over 25% and saves more than 50% water. Over 30% of construction materials used to build it were recycled. On-site renewable energy provides 13% of the energy in the building. This includes solar photovoltaic panels and BIPV.

Smart Grids Station (SGS)

DEWA is exploring the concept of SGS, which connect smart buildings to each other to share information, to help improve energy and water efficiency and make optimal use of renewable energy within a smart city. The SGS highlights the Smart City model through three concepts or systems: the smart office, smart building, and smart factory. The SGS comprises a 200-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic solar power production system; a 9-kilowatt (kW) wind turbine; and a 500-kilowatt hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery energy storage system, which stores energy for later use. The SGS also has a smart chiller system integrated with a building management system, and a 100-tonne thermal energy storage system, which stores surplus cooling energy to be used when required, thereby reducing the demand on the smart chiller system.

DEWA Green Garage Workshops at Al Ruwayyah, SGS, decided to make the buildings an example of green ultra-modern industrial facility built to LEED Gold specifications. The project consists of 10 buildings that achieved LEED 2009 NC using LEED Campus Certification.  The purpose of the project is to provide a place for DEWA’s fleet vehicles, repair and maintenance workshops and other associated facilities necessary to carry out complete repair and maintenance activities. It has resulted in over 34% energy savings, 48% indoor water use reduction, reduced potable water use by 52.09% and effectively reduced AC and grey water drain for cooling purposes.

MORO at Jebel Ali

Moro Hub (Data Hub Integrated Solutions LLC ) is the 1st LEED Platinum certified Data Centre in the Region. MORO Hub provides state-of-the-art solutions and innovative business services. MORO has a rating of Tier3+ Uptime Institute design and facility and is an accredited STARS level 3 design. The ultimate objective of MORO Hub is associated with sustainability, as it has adopted the appropriate measures as well as minimised the environmental impact of Dubai’s harsh climate. The hub reduced 46% of its water use in all its fixtures, optimised energy performance with 37.76% energy cost savings, and used locally and regionally sourced and recycled materials in its construction.