The ENOC Group has opened its third solar-powered service station for the year, at Discovery Gardens – a residential community in Dubai – as part of its expansion plans aimed at building 54 service stations by 2020.
Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC, said: “Our new station marks the opening of the UAE’s third solar powered service station which falls in line with our commitment to adopt innovative practices to enhance operational efficiency. At ENOC, we keep abreast major technological developments that can be utilised to drive energy savings, reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a sustainable future.
“We remain committed to provide our customers with easy access to fuel and other retail requirements to a growing community, while strengthening our local presence.”
The new 75,000 square foot station offers a range of automotive services including a Tasjeel Centre, with three bays for vehicle testing and registration, three Autopro bays, which offer battery and oil change and all automotive services, three Prowash car wash bays, including manual and autowash as well as electric vehicle charging stations.
The station has photo-voltaic solar panels with an on-grid system installed on the canopy roof that can produce a peak capacity of 120 kilowatts per hour energy on an ideal day – generating approximately 30% more than the average energy required to run the station. Built in line with the Dubai Municipality’s Green Build regulations, the excess power generated is transmitted back to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) main grid through a DEWA solar metre that tracks the power injected to the power grid.
The station is also equipped with a vapour recovery systems to prevent and control emissions, full LED lights installed at the site to reduce energy consumption by 50% and variable refrigerant flow technology for the air conditioning (AC) system, which saves 35% compared to a conventional AC system.
Among other initiatives are the implementation of smart metering for ISO 50001, certified double wall tanks and fuel piping with secondary containment to safeguard against potential environmental contamination. The fuel system is fully automated with an auto tank gauging and electronic leak detection system.
ENOC had previously announced that all future ENOC service stations will be powered by solar energy to support the UAE’s long-term strategy to target an energy mix that combines renewable, nuclear and clean energy sources. ENOC estimates more than 23 gigawatts per hour of solar energy will be generated to power the new stations by 2020, minimising the load on DEWA’s grid and power generating stations.
