Clean energy in the oil capital of the world

Posted on March 22, 2008
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by Willy Ritch

What’s the first word that comes to mind when you hear “Abu Dhabi?” I’m guessing it’s “oil.” Which is why it is so amazing that the worlds first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free, emission free city is being built in the United Arab Emirate, near Abu Dhabi. The city is a joint effort of the Abu Dhabi government and the World Wildlife Federation and sounds like it is going to be a showcase of what ourbenergy future could look like.

Masdar City will get all it’s electricity from solar power (PV) and use concentrated solar plants to produce energy for cooling. The water will come from a desalinization plant, and treated waste water will irrigate the landscaping and crops outside the city.

Masdar City is actually part of the Masdar Initiative (sound like something from Lost?)—a multi billion dollar effort to develop clean energy technology including construction of the world’s largest hydrogen power plant. The Masdar City headquarters will be a massive building with the world’s largest solar roof. The roof will be built first and will then be used to power the rest of the construction. When it’s finished the building will actually produce more power than it consumes. (Go to the architects’ website for some amazing pictures and a animated video tour.)
If the government of Abu Dhabi is willing to sink billions of dollars into a project aimed at developing technology to replace oil as an energy source, don’t you think that ought to tell the rest of the world something.

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