Air powered shades from the sun. A new pilot project from a Dutch startup that aims to create shade that mimics the movement of leaves, begging the question – why not invest in planting trees?
The world’s best sun shades are trees in the city. Have you ever sat under the shade of a tree and then the heat trapping shade of a plastic awning? But if you are in the heat of Abu Dhabi the next best thing is artificial sun shades drawn back when the sun sets.
Using the natural expansion of air when it heats is a Dutch invention is getting tried out in a Persian Gulf Emirates state.
In the arena of sustainable innovation, Airshade Technologies, a Dutch startup, has unveiled its latest creation – The Airshade. Inspired by the graceful movement of tree leaves, this pioneering prototype has undergone extensive testing at the Masdar City solar power plant over the past eight months. It is located near Abu Dhabi.
Pilot of the first air powered shading system
“The ‘Airshade’ system started with a simple conversation at the World Future Energy Summit. That conversation developed into an idea for collaboration, and then that idea turned into a prototype that we tested in Masdar City,” said Chris Wan, Associate Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Masdar City.
“We are currently researching potential applications for a shading system that is the first of its kind that does not require the use of electricity, a motor or connecting cables. Our collaboration with dozens of startups to find innovative solutions to climate change is common in Masdar City, as small companies can do big things.”
Harnessing the subtle fluctuations in air temperature, the Airshade’s design elegantly opens and closes, mirroring the organic sway of branches to provide shade in the desert sun. Notably, this innovation operates without the need for sensors, motors, or electricity, relying solely on the forces of nature.
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Masdar City, trying hard to create technology sustainable urban development, serves as an ideal testing ground for such forward-thinking solutions. Chris Wan, Associate Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Masdar City, reflects on the collaborative journey that led to the Airshade’s development, tracing it back to a simple conversation at the World Future Energy Summit.
Masdar invests in technology but the zero-energy city in its namesake was a flop.
With promising results and recognition, the Airshade aims to expand its potential applications, potentially transforming into a large-scale architectural feature offering dynamic shading in community spaces and enhancing energy efficiency in building facades.The passive energy system needs no electricity. We can imagine the technology would work great in greenhouses.
::Airshade
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]
