Heriot-Watt students get their day in the sun

Heriot-Watt University will be one of more than 20 universities from across the globe competing in the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 competition.

Held in collaboration with the United States Department of Energy, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, the competition involves creating a grid-connected and energetically self-sustainable house.

Once the teams assemble their houses, they participate in ten different contests covering a range of categories. These categories include innovation, sustainability, energy management, architecture and comfort conditions.

Cash prizes will be awarded to winning teams.

"Competitions such as these provide students with the opportunity to apply their skills in a genuinely creative and practical way, giving members of our team an opportunity to gain world-class skills and knowledge," Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus Mechanical Engineering Professor Amanda Hughes said. "Our students did a fantastic job in showcasing their skills in the submission we put forth. The next leg of the competition will see them interacting with numerous industry partners from the UAE and UK to develop innovative solutions and technologies to incorporate into the house."