Approximately four GWh of renewable energy were designed to be generated via 12,000 sqm of photovoltaic panels arranged on a 130-metre-wide roof canopy and across 18 Energy Trees that rotate to face the sun, like sunflowers. The form of Terra’s cantilevered roof canopy is inspired by Socotra’s dragon blood tree, shading the building and reducing the sun’s heating effect.
After handover and as Expo 2020 transitioned into Expo City Dubai, it became apparent that sustainable operations of Terra across its 24,271 sqm of GFA would be essential to supplement the building’s innovative green design in order to achieve net zero intentions. We established an interdepartmental, multidisciplinary Net Zero Committee, consisting of colleagues from different teams within the facility who perform the day-to-day activities on-site.
We decided to first target LEED Zero Energy certification, followed by the remaining LEED Zero water and waste certifications. Balancing the needs of a stellar visitor experience for our guests and those of running an efficient building 12 hours a day, 365 days/year was a key focus for our committee. First interventions included: HVAC initiatives including temperature management & control, Air Handling Unit schedule optimization, Fresh Air handling Unit damper optimization, and chiller optimization. Lighting initiatives including internal and external lighting control. Exhibition initiatives including AV and lighting server rooms, TVs, monitors and tablets, powering off the fans in the “Burning House” exhibit and Taqa Island weekday closure. Optimized cleaning & maintenance were carried out on the solar PV panels.
These interventions in energy savings and renewable energy generation were implemented in 2023 and resulted in a whopping 38 per cent reduction in energy consumption. In the cooler months, Terra now produces an energy surplus, which helps bring the building closer to its annual net zero target.
We learned so much in the process that the Net Zero Energy Committee decided to turn the learnings into two visitor experiences, both launched during COP 28:
The Zero Energy Consultant for a Day workshop was launched part of Terra’s programming offering for schools. During the live action case study, students take on the role of net zero energy consultants for Terra and given the opportunity to see the energy systems up close and understand how they function in the real world. As part of the workshop, students calculate Terra’s net zero energy balance using a live building systems dashboard. The structure of the workshop is split into three parts – the production analysis using the dashboard, a behind the scenes tour into the building’s energy systems and a scavenger hunt to gather information from a research lab within Terra’s exhibits. This hands-on 90-minute workshop gets students to not only understand the concept of net zero energy, but also how it applies to a real-world example and helps understand the drivers behind the production of energy and consumption within a building.
A Net Zero Energy Behind the Scenes tour takes visitors through the energy, water and waste rooms of Terra. Visitors were invited to embark on a guided tour in the areas of Terra that are normally off limits. The 3 areas were covered in infographics explaining the building systems, a TV was added to the energy section to show a live stream of the PV inverter room and a sample solar panel was brought down for a close up look. Our waste management team even helped keep the smelliest room of our building in tip top shape so that visitors can peek in at any time to see our vermi (worm) compost. Even our Health and safety team pitched in to find ways for our various black, grey and desalination water systems to be accessed by the general public.