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Solar energy to power ACs in bus shelters Staff Reporter / 24 March 2014 The Green Bus experiment that uses solar energy instead of conventional energy sources is also still on, says Dr Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Public Transport Authority. Solar energy might soon power bus screens and air conditioned bus shelters, according to a Roads and Transport official. Dr Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Public Transport Authority (PTA) said: “The agency has recently carried out a series of experiments on the use of solar energy instead of conventional energy sources.” “A number of projects based on solar power as a main source of power supply are currently being studied by the Energy Conservation Team of the agency,” he said. “The team is examining a host of initiatives including the use of solar cells to generate the power needed for the operation of bus screens and air-conditioned shelters, besides heating water using solar energy panels fitted to the buildings and premises of the agency,” he said. “The use of solar energy is currently being experimented to power monitors displaying real-time information fitted to bus passenger stations. The experiment was rolled out from bus passenger station at Al Ghubaiba. Approvals were issued at the start of this year to transform and redesign Al Khawaneej Station to be a Model Green Station, and for this purpose specific programmes are being developed for the station covering power consumption, the use of solar energy instead of the ordinary power supply, and the endorsement as well as the introduction of other environmental systems which are environment-friendly and fulfill the stipulations of sustainable development,” explained Al Ali. The Green Bus experiment that uses solar energy instead of conventional energy sources is also still on, said Al Ali adding that Al Khawaneej Station is also being turned into a Model Green Station that will operate on solar power. “The Green Bus model, which is fully illuminated by solar energy cells, is probably the best illustration of the ongoing researches aimed at protecting the environment and embracing the green economy as well as sustainable development concepts,” said Al Ali. “The agency embarked on the Green Bus experiment towards the end of 2012 and the experiment is still in motion and is subject expansion to include larger numbers of the agency’s bus fleet,” he said. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Taylor Scott International
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