WORLD TRADE CENTRE,

BAHRAIN
CASE STUDY

MADE BY:
VAASUDEV SAMRAT
A1904014141
INTRODUCTION

 The Bahrain World Trade Centre was completed in 2008 costing about $150
million.
 The concept design of the twin towers was inspired by the traditional
Arabian Wind Towers using the very shape in harnessing wind for renewable
energy.
 The turbines are expected to produce between 11 and 15 percent of the
total electrical consumption of the towers.

240 M

29 m diameter wind turbines

located on 17th, 27th, 37th floor
WIND PATTERN IN BAHRAIN
 70% of the wind flow from the Persian Gulf comes directly onshore in
Bahrain. This natural exposure to wind makes Bahrain an ideal location for
energy generation from wind.
 Most of the studies show that the average wind speed in Bahrain is between
5 and 6 m/s with north to north west direction.
 The average annual wind speed 4.56 m/s for 10m height, 6.96 m/s for 30m
height, and 8.65 m/s for 60m height and the average annual wind power
density in 10m height is 114.54 W/m², in 30m height is 433.29 W/m², and
in 60m height is 816.70 W/m² (Table-1). These were good wind potential
and strong winds of long duration which is suitable for wind power
production.
 SHAPE OF TOWER

 The shape and curves of the twin towers acts as an airfoil and funnels winds
coming from the Arabian Gulf between them.
 Its oriented by facing its turbines toward north – west direction, to get
maximum wind flow.
 From north-west direction it gets around 6.42 m/sec. to 11.2 m/sec wind
speed
Negative Negative
pressure zone pressure zone

Positive
pressure zone

Shape of towers increase speed by 30% This air flow considered as S – flow
 This orientation provides 1,100 and 1,300 MWh per year and will provide for
approximately 11% to 15% of the office towers’ electrical energy
consumption.
 We can see from figures that the part contains turbines receives maximum
air flow, that due to S – streamline shape of building .

The blue part gets maximum air flow

When air flow is from true north-west

TURBINES
 The two towers are linked via three sky bridges, each holding a 225kW wind
turbine, totaling to 675 kW of wind power capacity.
 Each turbines measure 29 m (95 ft) in diameter, and is aligned north-west,
which is the direction from which air from the Persian Gulf blows in.
 They have been mounted at 60m, 120m and 180m high between the two
towers
 The turbine full power of 225kW is achieved at wind speed between 15 to
20 m/s, depending on air density
BRIDGES
 Bridges are of ovoid in shape.
 The structures of the bridges have been design to be strong enough to hold the
11 tonnes wind turbines. The bridges of 31.7m length are having curved shapes
for aerodynamic purposes in order to absorb the vibration of wind and vibrations
from operating and standstill of the turbine.
 Bridge is having a V-shape, in order to deal with the blade deflection during
extreme operating conditions and to have enough clearance and thus avoid
blade strike.
 Blade clearance to the bridge of 1.12m is achieved with V shape of 173 º angle

Ovoid shape
ECONOMINC ANALYSIS
 The total cost of Bahrain World Trade Centre building is $150 million.
Only 3% of the total cost is the price for the wind turbine system. The
three wind turbines operate about 50% of the time.
 Therefore, the total annual amount is between 1,100 and 1,300 MWh per
year. This is approximately 11% - 15% of the entire structures total
power consumption, which is also enough to power up to 300 home. In
carbon emission terms this equates to an average of 55,000 kgC. Since
turbines are being placed over 60m above ground and between towers,
the yield might even be higher (Killa and Smith, 2008).

Energy yield
CONCLUSION
 Categorizing the entirety of the BWTC as a “true green” initiative and project
simply is not true. According to the European and other world-wide
standard, this building is not intended to be a low carbon emission solution
and only reduced the carbon emission comparing to other buildings.
 However, the design and construction of the building and the integration of
large scale wind turbines into it has involved extensive research and
development by probably some of the most capable specialists available. In
addition, it should be appreciate and understand this project as a pioneering
step toward sustainability design through the potentials of modern
engineering and architecture.
REFERENCES
 Alnaser, N.W., 2008. Towards Sustainable Buildings in Bahrain, Kuwait and
United Arab Emirates. [pdf]
 Bachellerie, I. J., 2012. Renewable Energy in the GCC Countries Resources,
Potential, and Prospects. [pdf]
 Jowder, F. A. L., 2009.Wind power analysis and site matching of wind turbine
generators in Kingdom of Bahrain. [pdf]
 Killa, S. and Smith, R. S., 2008. Harnessing Energy in Tall Buildings: Bahrain
World Trade Center and Beyond. [pdf]
 Wu, K., 2009. Bahrain World Trade Center. [pdf]