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90 Comments
- diggit08, on 04/13/2008, -3/+64Ironic isn't it? They have all the oil in the world and yet they are using sustainable energy. Do they know something we don't?
- inactive, on 04/13/2008, -5/+36It's great to see how much more advanced parts of the middle east is in comparison to the western world.
- str3ama, on 04/13/2008, -0/+20they do have oil, but Bahrain is not Saudi Arabia - two different countries. Bahrain actually is a bit more relaxed, it allows alcohol - which is why it gets a lot of tourism from Saudi citizens, who end up getting trashed on imported beer and driving off the small island nation right smack into the surrounding Gulf waters.
- muzfuz, on 04/13/2008, -1/+20Yup it's a pretty cool building... but as someone who actually grew up in Bahrain... There are certain advantages to living in the western world or at least Europe.
First and foremost is the fact that corruption is not nearly as widespread... over there if you have money you REALLY own the place. You'll get away with murder.
But you know, you gotta take the good with the bad... each place has its pros and cons. - solarweasel, on 04/13/2008, -2/+15see?? why invest in sustainable energy here when we can just let other countries do it and use the resulting displaced oil?
- Mutton, on 04/13/2008, -0/+11I remember reading about this a while back on Digg. It's so cool to see the project fully realized! More skyscrapers need to take advantage of wind and solar power.
- gzboli, on 04/13/2008, -0/+11There are nearly 300 World Trade Centers throughout the world, most major cities in the United States have one.
- allaboutdatiki, on 04/13/2008, -0/+11I saw a wicked cool home turbine system at the Green California conference this past week ... if all goes well, daTiki's World Trade Center will soon be sporting a turbine or two ...
- trogdorBURN, on 04/13/2008, -1/+11Wow. Those buildings are gorgeous.
- selmer, on 04/13/2008, -2/+12Damn, we suck...
although I'd still rather live here than in Bahrain - hiPpymIck, on 04/13/2008, -0/+9sorry comment hijack..video link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7340528.stm - ammar456, on 04/13/2008, -0/+9thats all a big lie. the fans are actually to be used to cool down bahrain during the hot summers:
http://www.ammaro.com/2008/04/bahrain-cools-down-a ... - smurfsahoy, on 04/13/2008, -1/+9Not really. Some guys in Virginia backwoods running their house on solar power is a world away from government endorsement and huge metropolitan emblems of renewability.
- muzfuz, on 04/13/2008, -2/+10This is a cool building alright... but let's keep this in perspective.
This is ONE building on the whole island that has a "green" approach.
The rest of the country is being completely destroyed because of lax environmental laws (i.e. there basically are none.)
Companies such as ALBA dump all their industrial refuse and toxic chemicals into the sea, killing any life that hasn't been consumed from over fishing. Bahrain was once a green island with fresh waters and even a river... that was destroyed by construction crews who insisted that building roads and buildings were the priority.
This building is nice, great idea. But it's also mainly a PR stunt, and says nothing about the Bahraini governments actual stance on environmental issues. (It is basically: As long as the money rolls in we don't give a *****). - Loulou07, on 04/13/2008, -1/+9These buildings are going to take off
- tcardone05, on 04/13/2008, -2/+9So THIS is where the oil money goes.
- DollofWar, on 04/13/2008, -0/+6You're an idiot. Don't talk without knowing.
- inactive, on 04/13/2008, -2/+8they could also do solar panels, but i think the huge fans look cooler
- scuvball, on 04/13/2008, -5/+10Yeah, because you know... there hasn't been any sort of 'green energy' movement over here... right?
- MWeather, on 04/14/2008, -0/+5There's an arab saying: “My father rode a camel. I drive a car. My son flies a jet airplane. His son will ride a camel.”
- daithiocoinnigh, on 04/13/2008, -0/+4at least Europe?
Wtf? - bobbknight, on 04/13/2008, -0/+4The birds feel nothing, it that fast.
- mitikomon, on 04/14/2008, -0/+4advanced if it was made by their own engineers. they give money to western companies to make these for them.
- Brainmodder, on 04/13/2008, -2/+5Not to mention the better civil rights here.
- avnerlevit, on 04/13/2008, -1/+4isnt it weird that the west develops all these technologies and it is small nations in the middle east like Bahrain (most people I know may not even know where the hell it is on the map) and Dubai that are actually going ahead and implementing this stuff. They know that we're all ***** when their oil runs out, so they're going ahead and taking the lead in such things while we drive our trucks at 10miles/gallon
- dsmx, on 04/13/2008, -0/+3The same way they do about all the other wind turbines in the world.
- ryan, on 04/13/2008, -0/+3The construction cost of the WTC is $150 million according to the company that provides the cranes for the project (http://www.manitowoccranegroup.com/Press/EN/NREN20 ... ) far from your billions estimate. This means about $5 million for the three fans. I don't know the operating costs of a building this size, but, in time, savings greater than the $5 million investment appear realistic.
This doesn't factor in the aesthetic appeal of the feature. Ignoring the energy savings of the fans, $5 million spent towards a facade amelioration is miniscule compared to other design-based expenses (specially curved steel, windows, etc.). Buildings not only have to be useful, but they have too look good too. If you think that's a "waste of money", I wouldn't pursue an architectural career. - BeatPunchbeef, on 04/13/2008, -0/+3blue glow
- cnot3, on 04/13/2008, -2/+5Why not power the building with nuclear reactors, they could provide 10000000000000000% of its energy requirements, and give off a pleasant green glow.
- greenmountain, on 04/14/2008, -0/+2Why not put these things on to the top of existing structures?
- LonesomeFighter, on 04/13/2008, -0/+2it also looks cool and makes it unique. so you can also say the money went to that and not just green power.
- linuxrocks2007, on 04/13/2008, -1/+3Wait till you see Dubai: http://www.tutztutz.com/2008/02/dubai-what-the-hel ...
- muzfuz, on 04/13/2008, -0/+2Burried for inaccuracy. Bahrain has an atrocious environmental record.
- THETEH, on 04/13/2008, -5/+7America seriously needs to step it up. Our energy policy is getting pwned by ***** BAHRAIN.
- shebadoo, on 04/14/2008, -0/+2oh ***** you bob. ***** you.
- torontoliam, on 04/14/2008, -0/+2AKA rotors.
- jbella, on 04/14/2008, -0/+2I recently saw a documentary on europe's bullet trains. These things routinely reach over 200mph.
It really put my daily commute on the CalTrain in perspective ( Think 1980's vintage coaches pulled by conventional diesel locomotives). I realize we dont pay as much in taxes, but what the *****? - TheMidnight, on 04/13/2008, -0/+2So when those get spinning fast enough, does a great flaming orange eye appear on top of one of the towers?
- TheUserFactor, on 04/14/2008, -0/+2This is a significant percentage especially when you consider the cost of this energy in pollution - nothing. Coal and oil energy only harnesses a fraction of the energy stored in the fuel, and the rest of the energy creates dirty waste or heat.
- AndreiOttawa, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1Why Episcopalian? Wouldn't a crazy evangelical be a better choice?
- AndreiOttawa, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1Wind turbines are here to stay, so the birds better learn how to avoid them
- SpacePoet, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1Green movement? You can't even get more than half Americans to admit there's a problem, why they scurry around in 12mpg SUV's.
/Been trying for 30 years, only to be spit on by the greediness of Americans. - SpacePoet, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1The same as they do about all the pollution they have to deal with, the destruction of all their habitats, and the minimal water supplies to live on.
How anyone can think this is a bad thing is beyond me. Why don't we outlaw solar power cause it's HOT?! - gabrielg01, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1"more advanced"...as in having oil money, and so they can buy Western technology?
- SpacePoet, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1It is better than nothing, and a start in the right direction, so yea, it is a BFD.
- GonzoAKQJ10, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1Awesome!!
- SpacePoet, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1That could actually be done. Electric cars being powered off the grid are the best solutions for the short term. Imagine a car that runs off the electric produced by solar cells on your roof or a turbine in your yard. Free transportation, minus the car.
- mitikomon, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1yes this arab was the Amir(king) of Dubai before it become the financial center of mideast. and thats why he turn Dubai to this.
- MoClippa, on 04/13/2008, -0/+1He speaks the truth!
- r00ts, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1I think newzman is missing a FOX in front of his name.
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