Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The next generation city - Masdar


Hope by now you would have got wind of the new hi-tech eco-city that is coming up at Abu Dhabi. The project was initiated in 2006 and is scheduled to be completed in 2009. This will be a city without automobiles; only public mass transit and personal rapid transit systems will be allowed. The city will be walled to keep away hot desert winds. This US$22 billion project will cover 6 square kilometers. Masdar Institute of Science and Technology will be started in the city.
Solar energy to the extent of 130 megawatts can be tapped by means of photovoltaic modules that will be placed on roof tops. About 20 megawatt of wind energy can be tapped by means of wind mills that will be placed outside the city. The plan is to implement a huge hydrogen power plant and to tap geothermal energy as well. The city’s water needs will be 60 percent lesser than a conventional city, as it will use a solar powered desalination plant.