Rakeen unveils new green building code

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Ras Al Khaimah-based developer RakeenRakeen has announced a new green building code to be implemented in all its developments.

The new code, apart from incorporating environment-friendly initiatives, will reduce power consumption by almost 45 to 50 per cent and is expected to help overcome the shortage of power in the emirate.

Marc-Henri Veyrassat, Chief Operating Officer of RakeenRakeen, told Emirates Business that the new green building code was drafted by RakeenRakeen's staff in co-ordination with a consultant.

"The 60-page technical report has been under development since last year and tackles every single aspect of construction," said Veyrassat.

"The new code is called the RAK Green Buildings Code and was completed last month. It has already been approved by Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah," he said.

The RAK Green Buildings Code, according to him, was developed keeping the needs and requirements of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in mind.

"We should not mistake it for a green certification similar to Leed. There are several existing green standards, which we did not find suitable for our requirements. Therefore we developed our own green code, keeping in mind the requirements and conditions here. More emphasis has been laid on sustainable energy needs," said Veyrassat.

Ras Al Khaimah is facing a serious shortage of electricity and water, resulting in several cases of load shedding.

Rami S Adib, Director of RakeenRakeen's Technical Division, said the code cuts the watts per square metre used by properties by almost 50 per cent. "There are very serious steps being initiated to resolve the shortage of power and water. The green code has regulations that are specifically aimed at addressing these issues," said Adib.

"The drafting of the code is only the first phase. Now we are already in the second phase, which is the implementation. The new code will be implemented by all developments within RakeenRakeen and developers will be given permission for construction only if their designs meet the new guideline," said Adib. RakeenRakeen is working on several projects in the emirate, worth around Dh10 billion. The projects include two islands - Al Marjan and Al Dana.

"The RAK government recently acquired its own coal mine in Indonesia which will facilitate the supply of coal for future power plants," said Adib. Earlier this year the RAK government signed an MoU with the government of South Sumatra Province, Indonesia, on 'The co-operation for Tanjung Api-Api Port, Industrial City, Industrial Parks with other supporting facilities in the Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province'. The MoU covers the entire mining-to-export chain of the coal industry that goes beyond the industry vertical and looks at developing and supporting other possible industries.

RAK has also announced the construction of several solar island projects, which are in the shape of giant discs covered in solar panels floating in the sea and will capture the sun's rays and create electricity and hydrogen.

A prototype of a floating solar island is being developed at the Swiss centre of electronic and micro technology (CSEM or Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique) in the emirate.

The giant floating islands will be fitted with solar panels, which will convert solar energy into electricity and/or hydrogen. A prototype of such a solar island, equipped with thermal solar panels, is being built at Ras Al Khaimah for trial.

Construction of solar islands prototype to be complete by year-end
Construction on the land-based Solar Islands prototype has already crossed the half way mark and will be completed as scheduled by the end of the year.

Early next year, the final testing will start.

Philip Mueller, Project Manager at CSEM-UAECSEM-UAE yesterday told Emirates Business that the work on the steel torus is finished and the main membrane has been applied. The land-based solar prototype is being constructed at an industrial area in RAK. Funded by the RAK government, the $5m project equipped with thermal solar panels will first be tried and tested in the desert before being launched at sea. The prototype will contain a thermal energy reservoir and will provide energy supply 24 hours a day. "The prototype is being built with a circular design measuring 85m in diameter. A water-filled channel will enable the outer ring of the prototype island to float," said Mueller.

"Plans are already on to start the next phase by the beginning of next year when another version of the prototype will be built on the sea. The peak power will amount to approximately one mega watt, with an average power of 250 kilowatt, while annual energy production is expected to reach 2.2 gigawatt-hours.

CSEM's Nolaris is designing and manufacturing the solar thermal modules for the Solar Islands project.

By Joseph George

© Emirates Business 24/7 2008