Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA commends sponsors’ role in exceptional version of Solar Decathlon Middle East 2021

The second Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME), organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) attracted 16 local and regional sponsors. These are: UAE Barq; Emirates Transport; Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Dubai TV;  Dubai Taxi; Emagine; Gulf Business; Construction Week; Utilities; Almarai; Digital DEWA; Etihad ESCO; Moro Hub (Data Hub Integrated Solutions LLC); DigitalX; InfraX; and Mai Dubai.

DEWA organised the SDME under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, as part of a partnership with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) and the US Department of Energy.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, thanked the sponsors and recognised their fruitful collaboration and support to make the second SDME successful, which attracted eight teams from 12 universities worldwide. The SDME helps achieve the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide opportunities for youth to unleash their potential and encourage them to innovate and create solutions to support global climate action.

“Dubai’s hosting of the first and second SDME, which is held for the first time in the Middle East and Africa with prizes totalling over AED 20 million, reflects Dubai’s position as a city of the future that adopts sustainable solutions and the UAE’s position as a hub for innovation and an incubator for creative minds. Dubai has organised two creative editions of the prestigious SDME, which encourages youth to design, build, and operate sustainable and smart solar-powered homes that also considers the region’s climate. This round has witnessed innovative models that significantly support the transition to a more sustainable lifestyle,” said Al Tayer.

Dubai Taxi provided ten electric vehicles from Tesla, while Emagine provided electric vehicle chargers. Emirates Transport provided transportation for visitors, and Almarai provided healthy meals for visitors.

Teams participating in the second SDME include: Team KU of Khalifa University, UAE; Team Sharjah of University of Sharjah, UAE; Team Desert Phoenix of University of Louisville (USA), Higher Colleges of Technology (UAE), American University in Dubai, and American University in Sharjah; Team HARMONY of The British University in Dubai; Team ESTEEM of Heriot-Watt University, UK and Heriot-Watt University, Dubai; Team TAWAZUN of Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai Campus; Team Go Smart, University of Bahrain; Team SCUTxCCSIC of the South China University of Technology.

The first place award went to Team SCUTxCCSIC of South China University of Technology. The second place award went to Team Sharjah of University of Sharjah, UAE, and the third place award went to Team ‘Go Smart’ of University of Bahrain.