Reducing the UAE carbon footprint with style

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Masdar – a project by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – have announced the winner of an energy efficiency project. And their design looks great!

It generates energy from wind, but is far more aesthetic than the usual turbines.

Resembling thin cattails, the Windstalks generate electricity when the wind sets them waving. The designers came up with the idea for the planned city Masdar, a 2.3-square-mile, automobile-free area being built outside of Abu Dhabi.

via Wind Power Without the Blades: Big Pics : Discovery News.

I love the “artist’s impression” pictures gratuitously including the Burj Khalifa in the background. Although the Burj is the tallest building in the world, unless I’m mistaken, there’s no way you can see it from Masdar. In fact I think the Burj they used in the picture looks about this size from my balcony – which is less than 15 kms away. It’s one way to make the picture look more UAE though.

Think of the irony

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the average UAE resident creates one of the largest carbon footprints in the world

Despite this tidbit from the latest issue of the World Bank’s Little Green Data Book, Abu Dhabi has put in a strong bid to host the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).

Guess it may have to be a case of do as I say, not as I do. 

Abu Dhabi has good case for Irena, says UN chief – The National Newspaper (26 May 2009)

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090525/NATIONAL/705249859/1010

Addendum:

Abu Dhabi was since selected to host the agency: http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/010085.html