No Need For Pool Heaters Here
by Anthony Shupenko , Jr., P.E.
May 15, 2009
The new Palazzo Versace hotel Dubai, which is
now under construction, will have the first refrigerated beach in the world—so
guests can sunbathe in comfort during the hottest days of the year. According to London’s Sunday Times, summer temperatures in Dubai average 103°F and can
reach 122°F.
In addition, according to the Sunday Times,
“…The beach will have a network of pipes beneath the sand containing a coolant
that will absorb heat from the surface. The swimming pool will be refrigerated
and there are also proposals to install giant blowers to waft a gentle breeze
over the beach...”
In essence, the system will remove the heat
from the sand to keep it cool enough to lie on.
I can only imagine the outrage that would come from
the environmentalists if this type of project was proposed in the US or some
European country. My guess is that the idea would never get anywhere close to
being proposed, let alone approved.
However, it appears that environmentalists have no say in Dubai, where
apparently freedom of speech and the cost of energy are next to zero.
Anthony Shupenko , Jr., P.E.
shupenko@optonline.net
Anthony Shupenko, Jr.,
P.E., is a professional engineer in New Jersey, as well as a licensed plumbing
and building inspector in the state. He has been the president of Shupenko
Engineering, Inc., located in Garfield, NJ, since 1984. Firm services include
commercial, industrial, and residential building inspections and evaluations;
forensic engineering; and structural and mechanical-system design. Shupenko is
also an adjunct instructor at the Stevens Institute of Technology’s engineering design laboratory. Contact him
at shupenko@optonline.net.
Comments (3)Post a Comment
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Title: Dubai Hotel
By: Jeff Benz
Posted: May 28, 2009 4:35 PM
The idea of a refrigerated beach is one of the craziest abuses of our earth's natural resources ever. Just think of the ongoing operating expense and how that money could use for something worthy such as world hunger.
Title: There is not a Refrigerated Beach
By: Tyrone Lawson
Posted: May 31, 2009 1:12 AM
This is completely false information, there is not and never has been plans for a refrigerated beach at Palazzo Versace it was a press fabrication with a misguided sales rep.
I am the MEP designer on site and I would be aware of this.
Title: Refrigerated Beach
By: Anthony Shupenko, Jr., PE
Posted: June 25, 2009 10:04 AM
If what Mr. Lawson claims is true, then many have been duped(including myself). A similar article was also in the "Civil Engineering" magazine pubished by ASCE.
Has there been any repercussions with the sales rep who supposedly made up this story? Has there been any damage control by the Versace (or other related organization)?