Since 2007, Rak Investment Authority of UAE has invested the project called 'Solar Island' which has an immense diameter of 5 kilometers and the height of 20 meters consist of a torus, floating in the sea. This project is mainly developed by CSEM - the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology- and now in 2008 the first testplatform with the diameter of 100 meters has already launched. There will be the final testplatform, di 500 meters, before the real production in 2011.

But some people might argue that these innovation could annoy plankton and fish by heating up water to produce vapor and will be able while producing electricity!!!!!

The Cost factor

Considering todays energy costs and the suns energy delivery, assuming a conversion efficiency of 15% and approx. 310 days of sunsine, a solar energy solution generates 3 to 30 USD/m²/year (at approx. 6.5 kWh/m2/day).

So the maximal cost per m² (at 10 y amortization time, 33% of revenues used for amortization) is 10 to 100 USD/m² active area. Current solutions cost at least 10 times as much!

References: Solar Island / CSEM

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In the last post, I wrote that one of the weak points of the shadow-range is the fact that tool doesn't take in consideration the intensity of the radiation: in other words, you know which parts are more shadowed but you don't know how much incident/diffuse radiation gets the surface of th building. Another tool of Ecotect (you might do the same in Radiance, of course) is solar access analysis. Solar access refers to the availability of incident solar radiation (insolation) on points and surfaces within your model. You need to upload a weather file that contains data about solar rdiation. Everything is ready: upload the weather data, and import the 3d file (.3ds). Now you might need to subdivide the surface (if you surface is complex or cilindric...). Select the surface you want to split and Modify---> Surface subdivision ---> Rectangular tiles ---> choose the dimension of the tile ---> tick the option "trim tiles to fit ..." and "delete...".
It is time to talk about radiation: Select the surface you need to analyse, Calculate ---> click on incident sola radiation ( if you are not sure about the materials) ---> choose the period and the time range ---> choose between the total sum of all values, their average or the maximum value of each metric on each point or surface ---> tick "Performed detailed..." ----> run the calculation!
On your surface, you might see dots and numbers: click on Display setting ----> tick show color in object attribute and set the legend colour. Got it!

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Ahmedabad Textile Millowner's Association building was designed by Le Corbusier in 1954. it is a good example of adapting traditional shading elements in a modern language to create an energy-efficient solution for hot and dry climates. First: the building is porous. The staicase penetrates the volume creating a semi-open internal public area, allowing the ventilation. Second: the facade. A thick brick walls on the north and south sides, two different types of sun shades on the east and westen facade. On the western side, the angularly placed vertical brise soleil serves many functions:it blocks the radiation, it directs/protects from the prevailing winds, it creates adequate natural ventilation. The eastern facade has similar louvres. They are less thick and the vertical and horizontal blades are ortogonal. They can block the radiation as well but they allow the residennts to enjoy framed view of the river. Third: the use of plants to create a healthier environment by absorbing carbon dioxide and cleaned polluted air.

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The engineer: An ambitious scheme which will map Leicester's carbon footprint is being undertaken by De Montfort University. The £2.6m 4M project - which stands for Measurement, Modelling, Mapping and Management - is believed to be the first of its kind and will be conducted by the university's Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD).

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Ecotect is a useful software with a friendly interface. If you are lazy or you don't have a Mac (i'm not saying you should buy one but..) you can do many things with it. One simple task is the shadow range ( I showed something like that in last post).
Open ecotect, import the 3d file you need, pick a location you want (project--->site location---->Map... it is not necessary to upload a weather data file 'cos we are interested just in the geographic coordinates), open "visualisation setting" and tick "apply shadow settings". Almost finished... open "shadow settings" and edit your "Show shadow range". Mine was 10-18 every 30 mins
Simple, easy, pretty... you might argue that it is not so useful because this simulation takes in account just direct radiation but, of course, not the diffuse one. Right... but you would forget the importance of beauty.

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(shadows map with Radiance - iaakuza)

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BBC: The UN has sharply increased its estimate of those severely affected by Burma's cyclone to 2.5m people. Nasa satellite images below vividly demonstrate the scale of the impact. The top image was taken before the cyclone hit, with land and water features sharply defined. The lower image shows the aftermath on 5 May, with much of the Irrawaddy river delta region clearly flooded.

Tackling the problem of natural disasters is matter of urgency for architecture and engineering.

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