Investigating energy efficiency and solar energy in Saudi mosques to achieve zero energy or zero bill (original) (raw)
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AN INITIATIVE TOWARDS TRANSFORMING MOSQUES IN EGYPT TO BE ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY AND ENERGY SAVING
From the simplicity and energy-efficient early mosques that utilized daylighting and natural ventilation, our existing mosques had transformed to intensive energy consumers with the tendency of Muslims to supply their worship places with huge air conditioners and chandeliers. As more and more energy demanded each year, the government has to build and operate new power generation plants and to import the required fuel making the foreign currency situation worsen. This contradicts with Egypt's ambitions towards fulfilling its sustainable development vision 2030. Egypt resides more than 100,000 mosques that consume huge amount of energy regarding behavior of Egyptians towards wasting their resources, including energy. Al-Azhar, with its pioneering role in the Islamic world, can initiate an action plan towards greening 100 of the existing mosques as a pilot project. This research work discusses topics like LED lighting, controlling air-conditioners, use of renewable energy (solar), controlling ablution water, and other energy saving measures, together with awareness plan depending on the Islamic spirit towards conservation. The research work suggests also funding mechanisms for transforming our mosques to be environment-friendly and energy saving mosques. A case study of a mosque in Alexandria is considered to illustrate the proposed procedure.
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