Abstracts for the oral presentations (pdf) - EPFL Middle East

22-23 JUNE 2011
UAE-Swiss
Research Day
Leading the
Future of Energy and Sustainability
ORAL SESSIONS
American University
of Ras Al Khaimah
www.epfl.ae

22-23 June 2011
UAE-Swiss
Research Day
Dear Participant,
It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to the campus of EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in
Lausanne), on the occasion of the UAE‐Swiss Research Day 2011. We are delighted to extend a particularly
warm welcome to the academic community of the UAE, who brings a very special relevance to this event. EPFL
is a research‐based university of science and technology, with a significant international presence on campus:
students, researchers, staff and faculty. We hope that your stay with us will be both stimulating and enjoyable,
as we open the UAE‐Swiss Research Day.
This is the first time such an event takes place between the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland, and
constitutes one of the cornerstones of the Emirati‐Swiss Friendship Forum 2011. The participation of leading
academic institutions in the UAE and in Switzerland has been made possible by the patronage and generous
support of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific
Research, and by the support of the individual institutions in both countries.
The UAE‐Swiss Research Day gathers the next generation of leaders from both countries: graduating students
across the UAE, MSc and PhD students in Switzerland, scientists, researchers, and faculty. The conference
highlights their individual research activities, as well as graduate‐research conducted by Swiss institutions in
collaboration with the UAE; this includes the activities of EPFL Middle East in Ras Al Khaimah, or the
collaboration between the University of Geneva and Zayed University. The fifty plus contributions presented at
this conference cover a wide range of topics, and collectively represent a trans‐disciplinary approach to the
future of energy and sustainability: sustainable design and architecture, smart energy management, renewable
energies, governance and policies, environmental approaches. All these graduate‐level research projects and
technological innovations are shaping, today, the future of Energy and Sustainability – two of the most pressing
and important challenges for this century and for generations to come.
We look forward to the conference and to your scientific contributions, which will make this event a success.
Sincerely,
Franco Vigliotti
Dean of EPFL Middle East
Benoît Deveaud‐Plédran
EPFL Dean of Research
Stephan Morgenthaler
EPFL Dean of International relations
1

22-23 JUNE 2011
Program
UAE-Swiss
Research Day
Leading the future of
Energy and Sustainability
23 JUNE
UAE-SWISS RESEARCH DAY – PART II (8h00-15h45, EPFL Polydôme)
08h00 Welcome coffee and tea
08h30 Oral session I
Society, policies and sustainability
10h00 Coffee Break
10h30 Oral session II
Smart energy management
11h45 Break
12h00 Meet young scientific entrepreneurs
Turning scientific research into a startup
12h30 Standing lunch
14h00 Oral session III
EcoDesign and renewable energies
15h45 END UAE-SWISS RESEARCH DAY
The event is placed under the patronage of H. E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates.
The financial support of CERT (main sponsor) is gratefully acknowledged.
Individual institutions in the United Arab Emirates and in Switzerland are also
acknowledged for the financial support they provided to their own participants.
American University
of Ras Al Khaimah

22-23 JUNE 2011
23 JUNE
Details of the oral sessions
UAE-Swiss
Research Day
Leading the future of
Energy and Sustainability
Oral session I
Society, policies and sustainability
(Polydôme, 08h30-10h00)
Welcome and introductory address
Stephan Morgenthaler, EPFL Dean of International Relations
Estidama and Abu Dhabi's Urban Plan 2030: Social & Cultural Sustainability
Fatema Mohammed Haider, Zayed University
Relationship between personality factors and environmental knowledge/ecological behavior
Mariam Al Maamari, Zayed University
Understanding Sustainability and Risk: The Hybridity of Disasters
Eva Fernandez, Université de Genève
Navigating Change: An Indicator Approach to Assessing Adaptive Capacity
Margot Hill, Université de Genève
Energy Policy Development in the Middle East Using A Technology-Driven Energy
Planning Approach
Ralf Dyllick-Brenzinger, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
10h00 - 10h30 Break
American University
of Ras Al Khaimah

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Estidama and Abu Dhabi 2030: social and cultural sustainability
Fatema Haider; Dr. Christopher Brown, The International College Zayed University
Abu Dhabi, christopher.brown@zu.ac.ae
Abstract:
This research will discuss findings of the final project assigned to students of Zayed University
enrolled in the course Gulf Cities: Fragmented, Polycentric, Sustainable. We will attempt to fill a
gap in the current literature on Gulf cities, by exploring the relation between Abu Dhabi’s
residents, their rapport to the city’s ever changing built environment and the feasibility of
implementing the social and cultural goals of Estidama or sustainability. Estidama and its four
pillars: economic, environmental, social and cultural were introduced as part of Abu Dhabi’s
Urban Plan 2030. While the economic and cultural goals of sustainability have been specifically
addressed in the Plan, the social and cultural goals, we consider, call for further investigation. We
argue that if Abu Dhabi’s population experiences the same tensions documented in other Gulf
cities, specifically the conflict between residents’ culture and traditions vis-à-vis their westernized
built environments, then the implementation of Estidama’s cultural and social goals might prove
challenging. The project attempts to answer the following questions: Do residents of the city
experience the same apprehension towards modernization encountered elsewhere in the Gulf
How can Abu Dhabi attain cultural sustainability taking into account the overwhelming western
influence and the consequent risk of westernization of this Arab/Muslim city How can the city
achieve complete social sustainability given the challenge of receiving and accommodating a
significant number of expatriate workers The research will present findings of interviews
conducted to a snowball sample of local and expatriate residents of the city.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° ZU O1

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Investigating the relationship between personality factors and environmental
knowledge and ecological behavior among Zayed University students
in Abu Dhabi
Mariam Al Maamari, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
Abstract
Objectives. This study aimed to determine the degree to which personality traits have an impact on
the levels of environmental knowledge and ecological behavior among students at Zayed University.
Design. A cross-sectional study design.
Method. In total, 101 students completed two questionnaires, namely, General Ecological Behavior
and the five factor personality factor questionnaires in order to assess their ecological behavior and
personality traits respectively.
Results. The findings showed that students had higher scores in environmental knowledge and
values. They reported lower scores in environmental behavioral intention and responsibility feeling.
Using regression analysis, the results indicated that openness and neuroticism were associated with
the levels of environmental knowledge, while agreeableness was associated with environmental
intention.
Conclusions. Overall results imply that some personality factors are associated with the mechanism
of ecological behavior among Zayed University students. Therefore, it is crucial to encourage
upgrading environmental education where personality factors are taken into account.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° ZU O2

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Understanding Sustainability and Risk: The Hybridity of Disasters
Author: Eva Fernandez, Research Group Governance and Urban Planning, University of Geneva,
Switzerland
Abstract
Disasters and catastrophes overwhelm today’s society and media. Much covered events are often
shown as uncertain, unexpected, and uncontrollable and they affect directly wealthy and less endowed
societies, as has been highlighted by recent disasters in Fukushima.In this context, the problematic of
risk prevention and management seems to be a key element in the reading of urban sustainability.
Furthermore, analyzing disasters and risks requires an understanding of the elements and sociocultural
structures that generate menaces on societies daily basis. These issues go beyond the technoscientific
studies of risks, and demand a holistic view of scales intervention and actors. Therefore, it
requires integrating issues related to governance, power distribution, territorial and environmental
management into the approach.
This analysis stresses on the human role and agency capacity building as essential to deconstruct and
reduce risk. This goal can be achieved only by acknowledging that vulnerabilities are created in our
livelihoods, forms of development and power dynamics. In this respect cities pla a key role. Their risk
management entails a comprehensive understanding of relations between man and nature by: 1-
Ensuring sustainable livelihoods 2-Encouraging civil society participation in risk management 3-
creating a shared perception of vulnerability
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° UNIGE O1

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Navigating Change: An Indicator Approach to Assessing Adaptive Capacity
Authors: Margot Hill, Research Group on Climate Change and Climate Impacts
Author: margot.hill@unige.ch Research Group on Climate Change and Climate Impacts,
University of Geneva
Abstract
As we move rapidly into a new period known as the anthropocene, human actions are a
major force not only at local, but also regional and global scales, mounting pressures on
earth system resilience that increasingly need to be acounted for and managed. However,
the very speed and magnitude of change in future climatic conditions pose serious
challenges, which are increasingly recognised as potentially lying beyond human
experience and the coping ranges of social and natural systems. Effective governance is
considered crucial for building adaptive capacity to cope in this context of future
uncertainty and climate change impacts. This presentation will highlight insights into
adaptive capacity from contrasting water governance regimes in Chile and Switzerland and
discuss its potential applications to relevant challenges in the Abu Dhabi context.
Considerable gaps still exist in understanding the complex dynamics that effect the
stimulation of adaptive capacity at different scales, the role of different governance regimes
in building adaptive capacity, and the favourable conditions for mobilising reactive and
proactive capacity. Findings from the various cases examined indicate that core structural
tensions in building adpative capacity can be identified, in terms of balancing flexibility
with predictability, which could be more appropriately addressed in research, policy, and
decision making though indicators that frame adaptive capacity through a lens of ‘choice
creation’, i.e. embracing uncertainty and not constraining future options in order to be able
to adjust management approaches to future climate stimuli and their effects.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° UNIGE O2

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
PhD thesis: Energy Policy Development in the Middle East
Using A Technology-Driven Energy Planning Approach
Ralf Dyllick-Brenzinger, Prof. Hans Björn Püttgen (supervisor)
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Energy Center
Corresponding author : ralf.dyllick-brenzinger@epfl.ch
Abstract
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region comprises the world’s largest hydrocarbonresource
(i.e., oil and gas) holders. In many MENA regions, the export of oil and gas constitutes a
large proportion of national GDP and is the key pillar of national wealth. In light of decelerating
hydrocarbon production expansion going forward and dramatically surging domestic/regional
energy consumption in the past and the foreseeable future, per capita energy exports from MENA
countries are likely to dwindle and their wealth is consequently at serious risk.
Complacency and a business as usual strategy will continuously drive down domestic wealth. The
preservation of domestic energy resources is instrumental for the retention or even the increase of
local wealth levels. MENA countries must make energy-related policy decisions that reduce local
energy intensities (i.e., energy efficiency) and exploit the regionally available abundant renewable
energy resources. Today’s oil wealth can be used to finance this transition, but these decision need
to be made soon rather than later.
This thesis aims at creating an energy planning framework for energy policy analysis in the MENA
region. The framework’s contribution is its design particularly geared to MENA’s distinct social,
economic, and technical characteristics. Being particularly interested in the analysis of the
technological potential, of in particular energy efficiency and renewable energy systems, the energy
planning framework will follow a bottom-up approach. The framework is meant to be a helpful tool
in the hands of MENA based energy policy analysts and modelers in order to analyze technologyoriented
policy options and design efficient policy measures.
Today, energy policy analysis and planning is increasingly practiced in MENA, but regionally in a
rather nascent stage. In order to support the increasing use of integrated energy planning---as well
as to validate the framework---the model framework will be applied to the UAE in a country case
study.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° EPFL O1

22-23 JUNE 2011
23 JUNE
Details of the oral sessions
UAE-Swiss
Research Day
Leading the future of
Energy and Sustainability
Oral session II
Smart energy management
(Polydôme, 10h30-11h45)
The Smart Green House
Hissa Al Shamsi,Ruwayya Al Eghfeli, Higher Colleges of Technology
The Smart Window
Khadija Mohamed Bufutaim, Higher Colleges of Technology
Dynamic Breathing House (Construction Component Design and Cost benefit Analysis)
Hessa Ali Al-Shehhi, Amani Thwani Al Mansoori,
Hessa Ali Al-Shehhi, United Arab Emirates University
Transient stability analysis and optimization of power systems with high level of distributed
generation integration using electronic emulation
Theodoros Kyriakidis, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Development of Informative Digital Display System (IDDS)
Salah Eldeen Hafiz & Mohamed Abu Quta, American University of Ras Al Khaimah
11h45 - 12h00 Break
American University
of Ras Al Khaimah

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
The Smart Green House
Abstract
Name of the Presenters: Hissa Al Shamsi
Ruwayya Al Eghfeli
Institution:. HCT – Sharjah Women’s College
Corresponding Authors: H00086544@hct.ac.ae
H00054902@hct.ac.ae
The Smart Green House manages and saves electricity inside and outside the house. Also, it has a
component to manage the usage of water in the garden. The UAE has one of the highest per capita
rates of energy usage. This project is an automated system that can easily be incorporated into
homes and offices that can manage the usage of lighting and water. This will benefit the nation by
reducing the usage of energy in the home.
The Smart Green House uses a motion sensor to determine if someone is present inside a room. If
someone is present, it will switch on the lights, if not it will switch them off to save electricity.
Also, many people use outdoor lights for safety and security. This system uses a light sensor to
determine if the outdoor lights need to be switched on when it is dark or very cloudy. Lastly, a
moisture sensor is used to probe the status of the soil in
the garden. It will automatically water the plants when
the soil’s moisture is below the recommended level
required by the plant. This automated system will
prevent over usage of water in traditional irrigation
systems.
Figure 1: Garden Ornament
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° HCT O1

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Smart Window
Abstract
Name of the Presenter: Khadija Mohamed Bufutaim
Rabab Eshaq Al Balooshi
Institution: HCT-Sharjah Women's College
Corresponding author: H00086422@hct.ac.ae
H00086182@hct.ac.ae
The Smart Window helps to regulate the amount of sunlight that passes through the windows of the
house by using Electrochromatic (EC) glass. The system will darken the window if the
temperature is high outside and clear when the temperature is low outside. The system also controls
the position of the curtain depending on whether it is daytime or nighttime. In the nighttime
position, the operation of the EC glass will be disabled.
The system contains a temperature sensor and a light sensor to measure the status of the weather
outside the home. It operates in two modes depending on whether it is daytime or nighttime. A
relay is used to switch on and off the EC glass whereas a dc motor is used to open and close the
curtains. When the outside temperature reaches a level determined by the user, the EC glass will
darken. This in effect will cool the room down
naturally by blocking the outside sunlight into the
room, thus saving electricity. If the room gets
exceedingly hot, then an air conditioning unit can be
started if needed. At night, the glass operates in the
clear state, thefore curtains will be closed by operating
the motors to ensure privacy of the homeowner.
Figure 1: Electrochromatic Glass
Theory of Operation
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° HCT O2

UAE-Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22-23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Dynamic Breathing House In UAE
(Construction Component Design and Cost benefit Analysis)
H. Al-Shehhi, A. Al-Mansoori , H. Al-Shehhi, K. Al-Sallal, A.Hassan, Dr. K. Al-Sallal, Dr. A.Hassan
United Arab University
Abstract
The project is to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of introducing the Dynamic
Breathing Building (DBB) systems approach in the UAE. It will establish the case for design and
construction of a building to demonstrate the benefits of the DBB approach.
In the UAE, air conditioning of buildings consumes approximately 70% of the total electrical
energy that is generated each year. This is by far the single largest source of CO2 emissions
contributing to global warming and climate change. Steps to substantially reduce fossil fuel use in
the UAE built environment, through the introduction of energy efficiency measures and new
technologies, such as Dynamic Breathing Building (DBB) are needed urgently. The objectives of
the current project are to design and evaluate the energy‐saving performance of a modular
dynamic insulation / filtration product, and the Dynamic Breathing Building technology in the
UAE.
The idea of the project is to design the construction components to fit the new dynamic insulation
inside the envelope and the connectivity to the HVAC system. By utilizing the dynamic insulation
technology in the building design, some on-costs to normal practices will be accrued. This will
include costs as a result of construction and HVAC connectivity modifications. Against these
added costs, a considerable savings in other components and building energy cost is expected due
to the reduction of the main central chilling plant ratings resulted from the effect of the dynamic
breathing system in reducing the overall chilling load.
The measurable outcomes and performance criteria of this project are: energy saving, CO2
emissions reduction, filtration performance, indoor air quality, and build ability (Municipalities
codes in the UAE).
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° UAEU O1

UAE-Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22-23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Figure 1: Energyflo cell.
Figure 2: 3D model of the dynamic breathing house.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° UAEU O1

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Transient stability analysis and optimization of power systems with high level of
distributed generation integration using electronic emulation
Abstract
Th. Kyriakidis, Rachid Cherkaoui, M. Kayal
EPFL STI/IEL/ELAB
Corresponding author: theodoros.kyriakidis@epfl.ch
On-going shift from vertical monopolies to deregulated markets poses new challenges for the power
grid. Feeble investment in transmission and distribution facilities and struggle for optimization (OPF) in
economic and ecological terms imposes operating conditions close to the limits of the aged existing
infrastructure. In parallel, forecasted advantages of distributed generation (DG) have sparked ardent
academic and industrial interest and have led to an increasing penetration of DG into the lower levels of
the grid. Aggregation schemes are investigated for its integration: e.g. the Microgrid and the Virtual
Power Plant (VPP) concepts enable taking DG into account as controllable entities during planning and
real-time operation. The advent of DG changes the nature of the grid exacerbating the computational
needs for its operations.
The aforementioned, raise transient stability concerns for the system. Balancing economical/ecological
optimality against security (SCOPF) is a multidimensional issue, up to date mostly dealt with in a
fragmentary fashion, as immense computational requirements hinder the development of a
comprehensive solution. To cope with this a paradigm shift towards distributed computing is strongly
suggested. Dedicated electronic hardware developed in ELAB, provides the basis to build on, towards a
vision for a co-designed H/W & S/W tool dedicated to analysis and optimization of power systems with
provision for emerging smart grid DG concepts such as microgrids and VPPs.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° EPFL O2

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Development of Informative Digital Display System (IDDS)
Salah Eldeen Hafiz, Mohammed Abu Quta, Maryam Awadi, Aisha Al Nuaimi
American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
mabuquta@aurak.ae
Abstract
The world is evolving faster than ever been before, where communication at every single level
became essential, the Informative Digital Display System (IDDS) adds new way of instant
communication. It delivers the message efficiently as well as quickly, all that with a very simple
click from a device that is handy, and available with almost everyone on this planet.
IDDS system is designed to develop an informative display to show important massages and
critical warnings to the public/users, which could be used everywhere, for eg in factories,
corporations, schools, universities, metro and bus stations, even in the streets, to deliver important
yet critical information at blink of an eye. To control the information display, a SIM card will be
used so that the system will have a unique number. The information is transmitted using a GSM
mobile network through any valid mobile phone on the grid. The microcontroller which works as
the main processor will check regularly for any new message available on the SIM card then if
the message header contains a pre-programmed password key. If the key is valid by comparing it
with a programme loaded inside the microcontroller, then the message will be processed, added to
the queue of the displaying messages in the RAM, and hence will be displayed on the monitor
among other messages. The system could use the Sun as the main source of power, using solar
panels with a battery that will be charged during the day and discharge during the night.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° AURAK O1

22-23 JUNE 2011
23 JUNE
Details of the oral sessions
UAE-Swiss
Research Day
Leading the future of
Energy and Sustainability
Meet young scientific entrepreuneurs (Polydôme, 12h00-12h30)
Turning scientific research into a startup
Abionic SA : Diagnostics closer to the treatment
Iwan Märki, CTO and co-founder of Abionic
Nexthink
Pedro Bados, CEO of Nexthink
12h30 - 14h00 Standing Lunch
American University
of Ras Al Khaimah

UAE-Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22-23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Abionic SA
Diagnostics closer to the treatment
I. Märki, N. Durand.
c/o EPFL STI/IMT/LOB
Corresponding authors: iwan.maerki@abionic.com; nicolas.durand@abionic.com;
Abstract
Abionic's core technology was developed by the founders at the EPFL, in collaboration with the
Biomedical Optics Laboratory (LOB) and the Microsystems Laboratory (LMIS4). The technology
incorporates unique nanofluidic biosensors, coupled with a modified optical disc reading system.
Based on this innovative technology approach, Abionic is developing portable medical diagnostic
kits providing fast, reliable and low-cost point-of-care tests. As a first product, Abionic will
deliver a novel diagnosis test system for allergies.
Allergy is a fast growing market, with over 100 million allergy sufferers in Europe diagnosed in
2010. Consequently, the impact of the escalation of allergic diseases is a substantial burden on the
European healthcare systems and economies. Within this medical field, the demand for solid, fast
and reliable tools in allergy diagnosis is constantly growing.
Abionic will supply physicians and clinical researchers with the abioSCOPE, a biomedical
diagnostic device that provides user friendly reliable low-cost allergy diagnosis promoting
personalized medication. A small blood droplet delivers the patient’s allergic profile within
minutes. The overall process is as simple as loading a CD in a personal computer. The user fills
one of the abioDISC capsules with a very small volume of patient blood sample and then places
the abioDISC inside the abioSCOPE for measurement. A few minutes later, the quantitative
results are ready for the physician. The Abionic in vitro test is designed to be a faster, reliable and
low-cost alternative to the time-consuming blood tests that are analyzed by third party contracted
laboratories. The innovative technology allows the physician to perform the quantitative blood
analysis directly in his office, receiving the results during the patient’s consultation.
Keywords: In-vitro diagnostics, point-of-care, Allergy diagnosis, Nanotechnology
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° ABIONIC O1

UAE-Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22-23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
NEXThink SA
Presenter: Mr Yassine Zaied. Author: Mr Pedro Bados CEO NEXThink SA
pedro.bados@nexthink.com
Abstract
NEXThink develops and commercializes innovative and easy to implement software solutions
which enables IT teams to manage their standard and virtual desktop infrastructures at an
unprecedented level of speed and simplicity. With NEXThink products companies can control
their IT budgets and deliver a secure and high-quality working environment to their end-users.
Today, in more than 1000 locations in Europe and Middle East, over half-million desktops in
above 80 public and private sector companies are continuously optimized with NEXThink
solutions.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° NEXTHINK O1

22-23 JUNE 2011
23 JUNE
Details of the oral sessions
UAE-Swiss
Research Day
Leading the future of
Energy and Sustainability
Oral session III
EcoDesign and renewable energies
(Polydôme, 14h00-15h45)
Off-grid hybrid renewable energy system design for safari camps in UAE
Hamad Jassim Rajab, United Arab Emirates University
Integration of photovoltaic cells into multifunctional sandwich structures for building
construction
Carlos Pascual, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Experimental Investigations on Wind Turbines with Horizontal Axis
Giacomo Valerio Iungo, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Organicités V: The Design of a New Campus in the Deserts of Ras-Al-Khaimah
Jeffrey Huang, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Design of Multi-Story Office Building Utilizing R/C SMRF
Bashar Saffarini, American University of Sharjah
Wind Weave Tower
Roudha Alawadhi, American University of Sharjah
Concluding remarks
15h45 End of UAE - SWISS Research Day
American University
of Ras Al Khaimah

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Off Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Safari Camps in UAE
Hamad Rajab, Buti AlShamsi, Abdulrahman Kalbat, Ahmed Alkhazraji
Department of Electrical Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
Corresponding author:hamad.rajab@ieee.org
Abstract
Safari camps are fully powered using diesel generators due to their remote locations which makes
it very expensive to provide utility power. Safari camps operators are having hard time meeting
with demand due to generator’s high operating cost. In addition, concerns from municipalities and
activists are rising due to pollution and vibrations from diesel generators, which are affecting the
desert’s sand dunes demography. The objective of the proposed project is to provide safari camps
and any other remote areas with a viable 5kW off grid hybrid renewable energy system. The
proposed system will significantly contribute in producing the demanded energy at lower rates
and lower generator operation hours; which will consequently result in lower CO2 emissions and
oil consumption. Fig.1 shows the block diagram of the system.
Figure 1 : Hybrid System’s Block Diagram.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° UAEU O2

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Integration of photovoltaic cells into multifunctional sandwich structures for
building construction
C. Pascual, J. de Castro, A.P. Vassilopoulos, T. Keller
Composite Construction Laboratory (CCLab)
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne(EPFL)
Station 16, Bâtiment BP, CH-1015 Lausanne (Switzerland)
carlos.pascual@epfl.ch
Abstract
Integration of photovoltaic (PV) cells into load bearing glass fiber-reinforced
polymer/polyurethane (GFRP/PU) sandwich structures contributes to the design of new self
sustaining energy buildings. Nowadays composite sandwich construction allows for
multifunctional elements (Figure 1) that integrate structural resistance, stiffness, lightweight and
low thermal conductivity properties. In this research, the feasibility of encapsulating thin flexible
PV cells into the external transparent GFRP face sheet of sandwich structures (Figure 2) is
investigated. The two main topics of interest are the light transmittance through the face sheet and
the mechanical interaction between PV cells and GFRP layers. The optical properties of GFRP
structural laminates are studied in order to optimize the light transmittance and ensure high
efficiency of the encapsulated PV cells. The mechanical behavior of different GFRP/PV
configurations is investigated to optimize the performance of the multifunctional structure and
avoid delamination between PV cells and GFRP layers. Further research concerns the influence
of curved surfaces on the optical and mechanical performance of the structure since the selected
materials and PV cells are flexible and allow establishing complex shapes of facades and roofs
structures.
Figure 1: Multifunctional sandwich
structure for the roof of Novartis Campus
Main Entrance Building (Basel, CH).
Figure 2: Mechanical investigation of a
GFRP/PU sandwich with a PV cell
encapsulated into the external face sheet
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° EPFL O3

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Experimental Investigations on Wind Turbines with Horizontal Axis
G.V. Iungo, G. Coëffé, F. Porté-Agel
Wind Engineering and Renewable Energy laboratory (WIRE)
School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
valerio.iungo@epfl.ch
Abstract
Wind energy is growing in popularity and is becoming one of the most profitable source of
renewable energy, thus more efficient and optimized wind energy systems are needed. To this end
the WIRE group at EPFL is performing a wide research on wind turbines with horizontal axis,
consisting in both numerical and experimental investigations. The accuracy of numerical simulations
of wind turbines is rapidly growing in the last few years; however, experimental research still
remains an essential tool for assessment of numerical codes and to produce reliable results. The
presented experimental activity consists in wind tunnel measurements and field tests of real wind
turbines. Wind tunnel tests present the great advantage of reproducing wind conditions completely
controlled, which can be varied in order to investigate wind turbine performances for a broad range
of incoming wind, i.e. with different mean velocity, turbulence and boundary layer height;
furthermore, the effects of the surrounding topography and of the characteristics of the terrain can
also be mimicked with apposite devices. The interaction of multiple wakes of wind turbines is
investigated, which is fundamental to optimize the wind farm layout and, thus, the power production.
Particular attention is also paid to the turbulence present in the wake, which can produce dangerous
fatigue loads on the wind turbines placed downstream. Wind tunnel measurements are then
compared with tests of real wind turbines, which are carried out with instrumented towers, Sodar and
RASS. A new challenging setup for field measurements is also presented, which consists in a virtual
tower where simultaneous measurements with three Lidars produce 3D velocity measurements in the
wind turbine wake.
Figure 1: Wind tunnel models of wind
turbines.
Figure 2: Wake produced from a wind turbine.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° EPFL O4

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Organicités V:
The Design of a New Campus in the Deserts of Ras-Al-Khaimah
J. Huang, N. Zuelzke, T. Patt, G. Labelle, M. Meagher
EPFL Media x Design Lab
jeffrey.huang@epfl.ch
Abstract
Organicités examines novel, parametric urban design methods for the ecological development of
architecture and urban design. It is organized as a series of design studios offered at EPFL.
Organicités V: Ras Al Khaimah involved 25 Master’s students and 4 PhD students and used as a
case study the EPFL Middle East campus in the deserts of Ras Al Khaimah.. The studio investigated
the use of digital media and computational methodologies with the following three objectives: (1) to
analyze, index and map the existing forces affecting the site for potential patterns of adaptive growth
(such as wind, sun, water, topography), (2) to simulate campus development strategies over time
derived from this data, and (3) to parametrically generate landscape and building forms that address
the simultaneous needs for environmental performance (extreme climate condition) and typological
invention (campus of the future).
In this presentation, we discuss the rationale for Organicités V, and present illustrative results from
student projects. Although these are early examples, we believe they are indicative for possible
future directions of data-driven driven urbanism.
Simulation of potential future micro-oasis locations based on relative low points and water accumulation patterns
on the future EPFL Middle East campus site in Ras Al Khaimah. Parametric scripts written in Processing
(Students: Jeanne Wellinger, Aurélie Monet Kasisi).
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° EPFL O5

UAE‐Swiss Research day : Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Design of Multi-Story Office Building Utilizing R/C SMRF
Abstract
B. Saffarini, A. Atif, M. Abu Fara, W. Nawaz
American University of Sharjah
B. Saffarini email: b00017461@aus.edu
The distinct behavior the Reinforced Concrete Special Moment Resisting Frame which surpasses
other moment resisting frames in ductility is an interesting topic to research. The design group spent
eight months in continuous research thriving towards a complete successful design project. The
designed building is a reinforced concrete twenty-story office building having the Special Moment
Resisting Frame on its parameter as a lateral-load resisting system. The design project includes
research work, design and detail drawings. The design was done utilizing some software like ETABS
and SAFE. Manual design calculations were done to double-check the software results.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° AUS O1

UAE‐Swiss Research day: Lausanne, 22‐23 June 2011
The future of Energy and sustainability
Wind Weave Tower
R. Alawadhi
American University of Sharjah
G. krieg Dosier- gkrieg@aus.edu
Abstract
Unlike the typical method of creating architecture starting from site analysis, then the schematic
design of program and circulation, in my fall studio 2009 I had the opportunity to study and
develop structure then adapt it to the site of Al Ras across Dubai creek and a specific program. The
outcome was the wind weave tower; a product of an intense structural investigation that got
adapted to site and program resulting in a highly developed and complex structural systems that is
dynamic in its appearance and nature.
The Tower is made up of two structures; one static holding the entire weight of the tower, and the
other dynamic pulling the floor slabs in and out in response to heat, The movement of the second
structural system is made possible through the use of shape memory alloys ( a cable that
remembers its original shape and deforms due to heat) the use of the memory cables at a large scale
allows parts of the structure to move in response to heat which as a result permit and blocks
circulation in different parts of the building in response to the temperature, at certain times of the
day and year.
From the need to make Al Ras a more hygiene place, the tower acts as a huge air filtering device;
instead of having typical walls covering the structure of the tower, the facades consists of huge
sheets of the HEPA air filters stacked together. The filters allow the tower to be entirely open and
depend heavily on wind movement for ventilation instead of the classic air conditioning.
ORAL SESSION 23 June 2011 Talk N° AUS O2

RIVIER
COLLADON
BARRAGE
ROLEX LEARNING
CENTER
STARLING
HOTEL
POLYDOME
MERCIER
ODYSSEA
FOREL
ALAMBICS
Building entrances
Reception - help point
Delivery desk
Public parking
Non-public parking
Mobility parking
Public transport - Metro M1
Public transport - Buses
Minute Bus Drop-off
Cycle pass - station
Cycle pass - repair
ATM
One-way street
Help point
22-23 JUNE 2011
UAE-Swiss
Research Day
Leading the future of
Energy and Sustainability
22 June
ROLEX LEARNING CENTER
23 June
POLYDOME

American University
of Ras Al Khaimah
www.epfl.ae