Hidden Technology in Use at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi

Aldar Properties, one of Abu Dhabi's leading property development, management and investment companies, has revealed details of two infrastructure systems in use at Yas Island, its major new leisure and entertainment destination and the host venue for the inaugural Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The island is the first major commercial development in Abu Dhabi to feature both a natural gas distribution and transmission network and a vacuum waste handling system.

Yas Island's new natural gas network consists of an intricate 28km network of polyethylene and steel pipelines with a future capacity in excess of 60,000 m3/hr to cater for all current and future developments on Yas Island. The design, technical support and project management consultancy was carried out by UK firm Penspen.

The clean burning and environmentally friendly natural gas is used to supply energy for cooking and hot water and is the preferred fuel of choice for the many new restaurants now open at Yas Island's seven hotels. The system will also cater to residents at Aldar's Al Raha beach development following the completion of an extension.

The Envac system installed on Yas Island is the first vacuum waste handling system in the world to service a major motorsports circuit. The system can handle up to 30 tones of waste per day deposited at any one of the 36 inlet points currently located within the Yas Marina Circuit paddock, Yas Marina and the seven hotels. As with the gas network, the Envac system has been designed to cater for all future phases of the Yas Island project.

Waste is transported at an average speed of 75km/h through a sealed underground network of pipes to a central collection point, located approximately three kilometres away, where it is sorted automatically. As well as the environmental benefits of waste separation and recycling at source, the Envac system can also help reduce traffic volume, provide a cleaner living and working environment and reduced operational costs.

Sami Asad, Chief Operating Officer, Aldar Properties, said, "We are delighted to unveil these two innovative and state of the art systems already at work on Yas Island. The implementation of world class and environmentally friendly infrastructure systems not only benefit the operation of current facilities open at Yas Island, such as the hotels, Yas Marina and Yas Marina Circuit, but also the future phases that will be delivered over the coming years. These systems demonstrate Aldar's commitment to creating sustainable and fully integrated developments."

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