Industry is slammed for not thinking of long-term goals

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The use of products such as incandescent light bulbs has an adverse effect on the energy efficiency of buildings in the long term.

Construction in the UAE is not being carried out with social responsibility towards energy efficiency and sustainability, according to Dr Abdalla Mohamed Al Amiri, associate professor, College of Engineering, UAE University.

Amiri is also chairman of the Emirates Energy Awards, which will be held in September this year under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai.

Speaking to Construction Week, Amiri said: "Energy efficient construction will only take precedence once the authorities begin to enforce it seriously, where contractors and consultants are given strict guidelines and are monitored closely for the use of irresponsible energy consumption methods and products, with fines for those who don't comply."

Al Amiri added that one of the biggest reasons for poor energy efficiency in the region is because of the attitude of investors who build for the short term instead of the long term.

"The investment is capital intensive. People just want to make their money quickly and leave. A company would sooner use a product that is cheaper and less energy efficient than one that would cost more but is less harmful to the environment. Incandescent light bulbs and window air conditioners are among the most harmful examples of these products."

But some industry experts believe that the initiative for such changes has to come from the top.

"It's the master developers who have to bring in this sort of practice," said Matt Plumbridge, project manager, Dubai Waterfront. "They have to insist on the use of district cooling on all their projects. Nakheel, for example, has implemented this on most of its projects very successfully and anyone working on its projects has to follow this."

Banishing all claims that contractors are to blame when buildings are not energy efficient, Ani Ray, country director, Simplex Infrastructures, said: "Contractors have the least to do with design and selecting energy efficient products and methods. We just implement what has been decided. Ideally, the standards need to be set by the master developers and the concerned government authorities."

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USER COMMENTS (3 COMMENTS)

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Sustainability and Energy Saving
Posted by Sebastian Otero Asp, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 25 June 2007 at 20:00 UAE time


Sustainabilty and energy saving, is a serious thing that has been developing since many decades in Europe. It's not only about new materials, it is engineering around the user in terms of efficiency and mantainance cost. 
Totally agree that enginering companies are not doing the best in this sense, but owners and clients are not always willing or ready to pay for this value engineering for energy savings or sustainabilty buildings, therefore the question is not to blame the engineering companies and architects. 
On the other hand,I completly agree that the governments and muncipalities has a huge chunk of responsability over this matter as they have the tools to implement policies that push this issue seriously.

Sustainability and energy efficiency
Posted by Hussain Motabagani, Khobar, Saudi Arabia on 24 June 2007 at 11:00 UAE time


I agree completley that contractors are not to be blamed for poor energy effiecieny...  
Not just the UAE, but the entire gulf region. 
there are many factors that i beleive contribute to this.. on different levels. 
First of all, the lack of initiative in local government to address the problem.  
also, the soical attidtude towards "paying more now to save tommorow" is somewhat bleak. it is rare to find a client or investment group whos willing to add cost to reduce waste and increase effieciency.  
the dominant view for clients, investors and designers is "why should i pay more, its not my problem and what do i have to gain from it anyway?" 
Architects and designers are also at fault for not doing enough "value engineering" into their projects as well. 
also think of it indirectly. 
the materials used... their manufacturing... what is the impact of that on the environment. 
as mr.srivatsa mevaluentioned thermal break aluminum can reduce the U Value of buildings...however...consider the amount of energy and raw materials wasted to create these aluminum panels. sadly there arent many alternative options to choose from. 
 
i could go on for ever about this topic. 
 
however long story short... 
laws must be implemented and studies must be made to convince society to change its habits. 
 
thank your for a lovley article

Energy efficient buildings
Posted by Srivatsa, Dubai, UAE on 24 June 2007 at 07:00 UAE time


Dubai can insist on thermal break aluminium profiles for all its buildings, which can reduce energy consumption quite considerably. Sharjah has implemented this from last year. All main entrance doors to have revolving doors and automatic doors. I see many govt buildings where they have manual swing doors and is open most of the times.

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