10 MW Dubai Skyscraper Makes 10X More Renewable Energy Than It Needs

<p>The 10 MW Tower is an eco skyscraper and <a href="../energy">renewable energy</a> generating machine that harvests wind and solar power. A 5 MW wind turbine sits at the top of the building harnessing the wind, while the power of the sun is collected via a 3 MW <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/11/12/parking-lot-of-the-future-does-more-than-park-cars/" target="_blank">concentrating solar system</a> plus a 2 MW solar updraft system. Designed by UAE-based <a href="http://studiedimpact.com/sustainable5.shtml" target="_blank">Studied Impact</a>, this 50 story skyscraper will put out 10 times as much energy as it needs, pumping renewable power back into the Dubai electric grid.

A 50 MW wind turbine with an 80m diameter sits at the top of the tower.

Located in the Dubai neighborhood of Al Quoz, the building would have completely clear access to the sun without any shading from other buildings.

The bottom three floors would contain restaurants, shopping and other commercial amenities.

This eco skyscraper was designed by UAE-based Studied Impact.

The mirrors partially shade the building from the sun, while the rest heats an interstitial space forcing hot air to rise up through the solar updraft turbine.

1,600 heliostatic mirrors are positioned on the southern facade and reflect the light to a central receiver.