UAE global high schools winner takes off pilot wind tower project

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School has launched a high-tech wind tower to provide sustainable cooling for its classrooms, reports Zawya.

Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury Inaugurated this wind tower, which was developed in partnership with the University of Leeds Physics Group.

The project was funded through the US$100,000 prize received for the Global High Schools, Asia category.

The installation of the new wind tower completes the final step in the proposal to improve cooling throughout the school by integrating traditional Arab building methods.

In 2013 also the school was the winner of the Zayed Future Energy Prize for the installation of a smart solar system on the building’s rooftop.

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In 2012, the Global High Schools prize category was introduced by the Zayed Future Energy Prize as part of the UAE’s commitment to the UN Secretary General’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative, which seeks to double renewable energy access by 2030.

Moreover, the school was the first to be advocated by the Global High Schools category, as young pioneers for renewable energy. This is the first UAE-based body to receive the Zayed Future Energy Prize and the first school to win in the Global High Schools category for the Asia region.

The award was given for a proposal to reduce grid reliance to attain carbon footprint by leveraging sustainable cooling methods and grid-type photo-voltaic systems.

The project was undertaken by Ben Richard Hughes, associate professor of Building Physics, School of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds.

During the design process, the University of Leeds Physics team constructed the one meter by one meter wind tower from sheet metal that works on the principle of pressure differentials, where warm air rises, creating a low pressure, allowing in the fresh air.

Cooling devices are integrated into the wind tower channel to reduce the air temperature that ensures minimum restriction in the air flow stream and maximum heat transfer. This wind tower is also fitted with adjustable volume control checks to control the delivery rate of outside air.

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University of Leeds has patented the first device, which will be launched in early 2015 in USA using the university’s spin-out company Free Running Buildings.

In addition, the use of natural air for ventilating occupied spaces helps reduce or eliminate health-related complaints usually associated with domestic air conditioning.

To date, the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School has adapted several sustainability measures such as installation of energy saving light bulbs, which reduced electricity consumption by 15 per cent, gaining awards and certificates from Abu Dhabi Environment Agency.

Sabeena Wahid
[email protected]