Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has started construction of a new headquarters that will be the tallest, largest, and smartest net Zero Energy Building (ZEB) in the world.
Located in Culture Village in Al Jadaf, the Al-Sheraa (Arabic for sail) building will have a total built-up area of over 1.5 million square feet on a plot of 200,000 sq ft. The building is designed to accommodate 5,000 employees, in addition to customers and visitors.
Over 16.5 km2 of photovoltaic solar panels will produce over 3,500 kilowatt hours (kW/h) and there will be about 10 km2 of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV), producing over 1,100 kWh.
Total renewable energy generated by the building will be over 7,000 megawatt hours (MW/h) annually.
Al-Sheraas design was inspired by the UAEs traditional houses, where enclosed spaces overlook an open courtyard. The courtyard will be the focal point and most prominent feature of the building. To reduce heat in the open courtyard, a sail design is used to provide shaded areas.
Natural light during the day will stream through specific openings in the sail, giving sufficient light without the associated heat. The courtyard features trees, planted areas, and birds within a sustainable environment. The courtyard will give occupants and visitors an outdoor feeling in an indoor setting.
The building will use the latest technologies including Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Open Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Robots will be used for cleaning and to provide security services.
Al-Sheraa is planned to be a Zero Energy Building (ZEB), where the total energy used in the building during a year is equal to or less than the energy produced on site during that year.
DEWAs new headquarters is targeted to receive platinum rating by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), where platinum is the highest certification. The building is targeted to use 50% less water than regular buildings. The green spaces will be almost 50% of the buildings area.
The building, which will be directly linked to Dubai Metro by a 150-metre covered bridge, will be completed and inaugurated in 2019.