The Gulf region was thinking about cooling long before the first electrical air-conditioning units came on to the market in the middle of the 20th century. Its people had come up with ingenious, centuries-old solutions. Architecturally distinct windcatchers, for example, are a reminder of how people cooled themselves for so long. Still, the chance to reliably lower the heat at home using electricity proved immensely popular.
Now, the UAE is turning from consumer of air-conditioning units to producer, after Strata, Mubadala Investment Company’s aerospace unit, announced a partnership agreement that will make the country a key player in the cooling sector. Alongside two German companies, AI-based engineering platform Hyperganic and industrial 3D printing company EOS, Strata will develop the world's most energy-efficient residential air-conditioning system in the Emirates.
It is a testament to the UAE's remarkable industrial growth, and one example among many cutting-edge fields that the country is developing at home. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, described the new technology as "an ideal example of innovation driving sustainable development and creating a positive economic impact".
The move will boost the country's industrial base, a strategic priority set by the government under the banner initiative "Operation 300bn", unveiled last year to increase sustainable development and make the UAE a global industrial centre by 2031. Air conditioning is part of this drive. Worldwide, demand for it is going to significantly increase in the decades ahead. The global stock of air conditioners in buildings is expected to grow to 5.6 billion by 2050, an increase of 4 billion on 2018 levels.
Sustainability is another key priority for the country. Air conditioning might have transformed the region, but use on such a scale is hugely energy intensive. As much as 70 per cent of electricity in the Gulf is used to power air conditioning. Strata's model is set to be an impressive 10 times more efficient than current standard models. That could significantly reduce the strain on global electricity grids. In the Middle East, where rocketing temperatures are meeting faulty power supplies in many of its most fragile countries, such efficiency could save lives.
It makes sense then that this new partnership plans to showcase project updates at Cop28, which will be hosted by the UAE in 2023. It will deserve a place. Global climate goals are ambitious, and rightly so. To meet them, the world will need to make drastic, epoch-defining transitions in many areas, be it moving from non-renewable to renewable energy, or cutting the global consumption of meat, even developing artificial forms of it. But rescuing the planet must also happen on a realistic scale, by gradually adjusting the technologies that the world cannot do without. More efficiency in air conditioning is a perfect example, made possible by the Emirates' burgeoning industrial sector.
The UAE has been thinking about cooling for centuries. Now, it is developing the latest wave of technology in this crucial field, to serve domestic needs, widen the country's industrial base, export to booming foreign markets, and, perhaps most importantly of all, help the planet.
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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Company%C2%A0profile
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The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
BRAZIL%20SQUAD
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart