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UAE's Masdar City develops prototype eco-villa

Xinhua, April 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

Masdar City, the green energy model settlement of the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Abu Dhabi, said Saturday it has developed an Eco-Villa Prototype that incorporates water- and energy-saving technologies and design features to reduce its environmental impact compared to existing villas.

The eco-villa "can even export excess electricity to the national grid when fitted with photovoltaic panels," Masdar (Arabic for resource) said in an e-mailed statement.

With a gross floor area of 405 sqm, the four-bedroom eco-villa is designed to consume 97 kwh per sqm per year (sqm/yr) without solar panels, Masdar, said.

"That is 72 percent less in energy consumption compared to older villas in Abu Dhabi, and 46 percent less than newer properties," it added.

The Eco-Villa Prototype is also designed to displace up to 63 metric tons of carbon emissions each year and use 35 percent less water than regular villas, Masdar claimed.

The "Net Zero Energy" version of the prototype is designed to be equipped with 80 rooftop photovoltaic panels that can supply up to 40,000 kilowatt per year to the national grid, easily offsetting its own electricity requirements.

Founded a decade ago by the Abu Dhabi government, Masdar City is a prototype settlement where residents and business reside with the least possible amounts of pollution and waste. It aims to become "one of the world's most sustainable urban developments." Endit