Post Cure: CFRP photovoltaic trees harness sustainable living in challenging desert environments
Source (All Images) | Premier Composite Technologies, Dubai
Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion from Expo 2020 Dubai, illuminates the intelligent strategies available to society and its steps toward climate action. Now a permanent fixture in the UAE, the Pavilion’s landscape is complemented by an installation of 19 Energy Trees — photovoltaic (PV) structures inspired by the waxy-leaved Blood Dragon trees — designed by Grimshaw (Dubai) and engineered and manufactured by Premier Composite Technologies, Dubai (PCT).
Each structure, spanning 17.5 and 16.3 meters in diameter with 15-18-meter canopies, is made of steel and advanced composites. The use of CFRP for the production of the “tree crowns” enabled the required slender and organic design while providing a high level of stiffness to avoid any unwanted deflections. The lightweight construction keeps the load manageable for the mechanical rotation system that allows the E-trees to track the sun as the days progress to ensure that the PV panels are always ideally positioned to maximize their efficiency.
The Energy Trees generate 28% of the pavilion’s energy, work as a way to direct cool air down to the courtyard below and even serve as a large collection area for stormwater and dew that replenishes the building’s water system.
Learn more about the project here.
Show us what you have!
Every issue of CompositesWorld concludes with Post Cure, a section highlighting the behind-the-scenes of composites manufacturing.
The CW team wants to feature your composite part, manufacturing process or facility in an upcoming issue. Send an image and caption to CW senior managing editor Grace Stubbins at gstubbins@gardner.media.