News

Dubai To Install World’s Largest Airport Rooftop Solar Array

The project will mark a significant step toward greener airport operations and sustainable energy development.

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2024

dubai to install world's largest airport rooftop solar array

In partnership with Etihad Clean Energy Development Company, Dubai Airports is launching the largest rooftop solar panel installation ever seen at an airport. This major project marks a significant step toward greener airport operations and sustainable energy development.

The agreement for the initiative was signed by Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, and Dr. Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad ESCO, during the World Green Economy Summit (WGES).

Chairman and CEO of the Emirates Group, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, highlighted that this project aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make Dubai one of the world’s most sustainable cities. He pointed out, “Our roadmap sets clear goals for achieving 25% of energy from clean sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050. However, we are working ahead of schedule and aim to surpass our 2030 target, potentially reaching 27% clean energy by then. Innovation and advanced technologies will continue accelerating our journey towards a greener future”.

The installation will be fully operational by 2026 and includes 62,904 solar panels spread across Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) airports, producing 39MWp of clean energy. This solar energy will power 6.5% of DXB’s needs and 20% of DWC’s, with the annual generation of 60,346MWh of electricity. This renewable energy initiative will offset 23,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to removing 5,000 cars from the roads or powering 3,000 homes annually.

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Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, emphasized that airports are major energy consumers and bear a significant responsibility to implement meaningful changes. “This isn’t just about adding solar panels — it’s about embedding sustainability into our operations. Every kilowatt we generate brings us closer to minimizing our carbon footprint and securing a sustainable future for airport operations”.

Dr. Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad ESCO, reiterated the importance of this partnership, stating, “This project and others like it are essential for advancing Dubai’s sustainability goals. By expanding the solar infrastructure, we reduce energy demands and increase the use of sustainable solutions”.

The initiative builds on the successful installation of solar panels at DXB’s Terminal 2 and Concourse D. These projects, alongside future innovations, show Dubai Airports’ commitment to environmental sustainability and reflect the UAE’s broader goals for a greener future.

News

Adobe Releases Firefly Generative AI Video Tools In Beta

The model powers new features such as Generative Extend and text-to-video, with tools also coming to Photoshop and Frame.io.

Published

14 hours ago

October 15, 2024

Nour Nasir

Adobe

Adobe has officially entered the generative AI (GAI) arena by rolling out its Firefly Video Model, designed to power various features across the company’s extensive suite of apps. At Adobe MAX, the company announced that several of these new tools are now available in beta.

One of the standout features, known as Generative Extend, was first previewed earlier this year within Adobe Premiere Pro. The tool enables editors to add AI-generated footage or audio to either the start or end of a clip, which can be particularly helpful when a necessary shot is missing, or the transition feels incomplete.

In September, Adobe also showcased additional tools, including a text-to-video feature similar to those from OpenAI and Meta, as well as image-to-video capabilities. Both of these tools are now available in beta within the Firefly web app — though access may require joining a waitlist.

Like other Firefly models, the Firefly Video Model and its associated features are designed with commercial safety in mind. Content Credentials watermarks are automatically applied to any AI-generated content.

On the Photoshop front, Adobe has also rolled out features that were previewed earlier this year. The latest Firefly Image Model powers Generative Fill and Generative Expand, which Adobe says can create images up to four times faster than before. There’s also the new Generate Similar tool, which allows users to create alternate versions of an object in a photo until they find the ideal match.

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Additionally, Photoshop’s Remove tool has been enhanced with a feature called Distraction Removal. This new option lets users quickly erase certain elements, such as wires, cables, or even people, from images — similar to Google’s Magic Eraser.

Finally, Frame.io V4 has launched, marking the largest update to Adobe’s collaborative platform since its debut nearly a decade ago. With a full redesign aimed at enhancing workflows and improving the video player, the update also introduces support for Canon, Nikon, and Leica’s Camera to Cloud (C2C) feature, meaning most major manufacturers now support direct uploads of photos and videos to Frame.io.