There are many pilot projects around the world aimed to increase sustainability through means of energy production, pedestrian friendly development, water planning and waste reduction.
One project that is currently integrating all of these new technologies is the city of Masdar located 17km from downtown Abu Dhabi situated in the United Arab Emirates. They plan to be the first 100% carbon free community. Housing the Masdar institute of Science and Technology they have created a high density, pedestrian friendly, efficient transit, alternatively powered scholarly city to conduct research for the efficient installation of these new technologies. The school is investing research to develop the leading edge on alternative energy, environmental technologies and sustainability.
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| Solar Molten Salt Technology Surrounded by Solar Panel Farm to Produce Majority of Masdar's Electricity. |
In order to remain culturally appropriate, architecture is designed as traditional Arabian style but with cutting edge technology and smart design to maximize energy efficiency and reduce need for excessive air conditioning. Roofs are adorned with solar panels and fields of solar photovoltaic panels will be set up to provide the city with the majority of the electricity. Concentrated solar power panels used molten salt technology to store energy and provide electricity overnight. Solar power “sunflowers” are covered with solar panels on the top, and provide movable shade during the day to provide pleasant walking areas for pedestrians. At night they provide radiant heat energy. Deserts are cold at night and this will create a more comfortable atmosphere for 24 hour activity within the city.
Along with solar power, the city has decided to implement waste to energy technology where they incinerate any non-recyclable garbage to produce electricity. Some groups of people are against this idea of garbage incineration saying that it releases toxic compounds such as dioxins, furans and PAHs into our atmosphere, but at high enough temperatures this should not be an issue. This technology also eliminates the need for a landfill or dump to dispose of wastes.
Masdar is a walled community to decrease the effects of windstorms but more importantly limit growth and expansion. As mentioned before the city is designed to be pedestrian friendly and by limiting growth to 6km2 anywhere within the city is within reasonable distance for walking or bicycling. On top of efficient walking designs, the city of Masdar has installed a personal rapid transit (PRT) system that transports people within the city using magnetic guided tracks and electrically charged battery powered pods. These pods are capable of 60km of transport with air conditioning before needing to be re-charged. No hydrocarbons in the city walls should eliminate any photochemical smog and particulates associated with transportation in any large city.
Ground water in the desert is hyper-saline and not suitable for drinking therefore desert communities use desalination technology for treatment. This technology is energy intensive and responsible for large amounts of CO2 release into the atmosphere. Masdar is currently undergoing research to design a more efficient technology to create potable water for their city. If they are successful this could be a highly sought after commodity because oil producing companies prefer to use fresh water sources as current desalination technologies cost millions of dollars. Fresh water gives oil production better results, and will cause less damage to equipment. If Masdar develops a more efficient affordable technology that can have industrial applications, less pressure will be put on natural water sources, and disposal of saline brine water in industrial situations.
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