Dubai ladies to turn on your light bulbs, literally!

Kinetic energy generated through exercise will be converted into electricity.

Happiness forms the core of any healthy society and Dubai has just taken a step forward by launching a new sustainable park -- Al Saada Park (Arabic for happiness) -- based on kinetic energy at Dubai Ladies Club on Thursday. Al Saada is unique in its ability to transform kinetic energy generated by exercise into electricity, using innovative devices.

The jointly launched park by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) was launched in presence of Ohood Al Roumi, Minister of Happiness, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), and Mona Al Marri, chairperson of the board and managing director of Dubai Women Establishment. The park is the first smart platform of its kind in the Mena region that promotes exercise, entertainment, and sustainability.

Al Roumi, speaking at the launch, emphasised that Al Saada Park is an innovative initiative that reflects a clear vision for advancing the role of women and working to achieve their happiness through an activity which combines social, physical, entertainment and educational elements so they can play active roles in achieving the happiness of the community.

"Moulding a happy and healthy individual who has a deep awareness of her role and capabilities and a positive outlook is the utmost goal of the work of the UAE government," said Al Roumi. She urged all government and private entities to launch similar initiatives and encouraged teams to suggest innovative projects applicable to this field.

Saeed Hareb, secretary general of Dubai Sports Council, Shamsa Saleh, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment, Khawla Al Mehairi, vice president of marketing and corporate communications at Dewa, and Lamia Abdulaziz Khan, director of Dubai Ladies Club, Dewa staff, and members and employees of Dubai Ladies Club, attended the opening.

"We are pleased to be collaborating with DWE through this project to promote a culture of exercise, energy conservation, and sustainability. This supports Dubai's objective to be a smart and sustainable city that is home for happy, creative, and empowered people," said Al Tayer.

"Our recent society satisfaction survey score of 87 per cent and our customer satisfaction survey score of 95.7 per cent, shows that we are making real progress in our happiness indicators."

Al Tayer noted that Al Saada park is the first kinetic park in the region and is an innovative approach to the happiness of society.

"I am glad to cooperate with Dewa in a unique social initiative which is the first of its kind in the region. This shows unity in recognising the importance of such initiatives in actively and



positively getting the community involved in applying the strategic plan for producing clean and renewable energy in a manner that combines education and entertainment to achieve a high-quality health life. Al Saada Park is a result of the ideal partnership and collaboration with Dewa. We trust that its future results will bring many opportunities that will enable us to participate in achieving more strategic goals for the benefit of society," said Al Marri.

Al Marri emphasised that the Dubai Women Establishment is committed to launching unconventional initiatives and projects that depend on innovation and go beyond traditional frameworks. "We strive to expand the services that Dubai Ladies Club provides to enhance women's contributions to the community in different ways. The Establishment welcomes all innovative ideas that come in line with its strategic goals. It strives to enhance its partnership with different entities in the UAE to provide all elements that can help advance women's roles and expand their contributions to the country," added Al Marri.

The science behind

The Al Saada Park has three main zones that make up the park: energy zone, educational zone, and the fun zone and is equipped with eight machines that can generate a maximum of 800 watts per hour when used by eight persons.

For every 12 hours it can generate a maximum of 9,600 watts, resulting a saving of 41 grams of carbon dioxide emissions. The average user will generate 50 watts per hour. A young boy can produce 30 watts, and an athletic person up to 100 watts.

For every 1,000 kilowatts (kW) generated at the park, you can power a round trip of 3 miles or less in your car with your lights, heater, and wipers running, 1,200 electric shaves, microwave 20 meals, or dry your hair for 15 minutes. 50 watts generated in this park is equal to 20 hours of smart tablet time.

The park also provides health benefits, for every kW of energy generated; an average human being will use approximately 10,000 calories. As it is proven that communities become healthier by benefiting from parks like this, where movement is encouraged, World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of exercise/movement a week for adults. According to the Global Burden of Disease Report issued by WHO in 2013, studies in the UAE has shown that more than 66 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women are obese and overweight.

Social benefits include enhanced health of individuals and the community. The park allows for family bonding, through awareness activities that promote conservation. To benefit the environment, the equipment is only as powerful as the user, and can produce 100 watts of energy per hour of exercising, contributing to a saving of 43 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per hour. This instils a culture of sustainability and clean energy. The exercise equipment is certified, and adheres to the EN16630 safety standards for outdoor fitness equipment.