ENOC opens the Service Station of the Future at EXPO 2020

Global Convenience Store Focus: 25/02/21

ENOC Group, the Official Integrated Energy Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, unveiled the innovatively designed Service Station of the Future, located at the Expo 2020 site.

The station will support the logistical needs of Expo 2020’s fleet ahead of the global event and will serve the general public at District 2020, the smart human-centric community and curated innovation system that will become Expo’s physical legacy after its doors close on 31 March 2022.

The service station received the LEED platinum certification, an internationally recognised building certification system from the US Green Building Council. LEED verifies that designs and buildings have been built considering factors that improve performance based on metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions, etc. making it the world’s first platinum certified station. ENOC exceeded the requirements; securing 93 points, making it the first service station in the world to obtain a LEED platinum certification.

Design Inspiration

The service station’s design is inspired by the rich heritage of the UAE’s traditions in the form of its national tree, the ghaf. Marking a true innovation in fuel retail, it is also the first station in the region to incorporate an on-grid wind turbine for power generation and carbon fibre in the construction of its canopy.

More than 43,000m2/37 tonnes of carbon fibre – a light, eco-friendly material that is three times stronger and five times lighter than steel – has been used to build the 133 multi-layer canopy frame. The frame structure houses a clear, innovative leaf-shaped ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) cushion canopy, which is 100 per cent UV ray-protected and corrosion-proof, and illuminated with more than 3,800 LED light modules. The nine tree designs that support the station were built from another 22,500m2 of carbon fibre.

In a bold move to incorporate renewable energy to generate power and enable the station to be energy efficient, 283 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed to generate 143 MWh of solar power every year, and a 25-metre wind turbine will generate 12.7 MWh of wind energy annually. This follows ENOC Group’s decision to incorporate solar PV panels to power its service-station network and is aligned with the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 and Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 goals.

‘Reimagine Energy’

Highlighting the group’s aspirations to ‘Reimagine Energy’, His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC, said: “ENOC is proud and honoured to be the Official Integrated Energy Partner for Expo 2020 Dubai. We recognise this unique opportunity to represent our industry and our country on the global stage.

“Our presence at Expo 2020 is also underpinned by the unveiling of the Service Station of the Future, a fully functioning, futuristic service station that incorporates multiple sources of energy. We’ve always taken pride in our ability to make bold decisions, and the unveiling of this first-of-its-kind service station in the world, which harnesses the power of renewables, is a stepping stone in a new era for the future of fuel retail.”

Marjan Faraidooni, Chief Pavilions and Exhibitions Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Using next-generation technology, ENOC’s Service Station of the Future will directly contribute to two of Expo 2020’s subthemes: Mobility and Sustainability. We see these areas, alongside our third subtheme of Opportunity, as fundamental to collectively addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.

“By working together with partners who share our approach, we aim to be one of the most sustainable World Expos in history and to support the UAE’s strong emphasis on sustainable development and innovation. We have integrated sustainability and innovation into all aspects of our journey to create a meaningful impact that reaches far beyond the Expo site and the six months of the event.”

Energy conservation

The new iconic service station’s systems have been deployed to enhance energy conservation, such as the use of carbon filtration technologies to recycle and reuse grey water for irrigation, significantly reducing outdoor water consumption. In addition, the station is equipped with drinkable air units that use ozonation techniques to convert water molecules from humidity in the air into drinkable water for staff onsite.

Customer journey

The service station also includes several applications of advance machine learning, artificial intelligence and data analytics technologies that play a role in customising services and retail offerings for customers, managing queue and waiting times at the forecourt, and improving the overall customer journey.

Vehicle mapping surface lighting is deployed to mark traffic flow to direct vehicles to the fuelling area, as well as entry and exits to the station. Occupation sensors and signals at fuelling positions will also manage traffic flow, redirecting vehicles to empty spaces at dispensers. Digital signage in the station consists of 12 million LED chips to illuminate the digital screens onsite.

Other prominent features include electric-vehicle chargers and multi-media interactive advanced dispensers.

For enhanced safety, the station uses advanced fuel management and gauging systems that continuously monitor the integrity of the tanks, providing 24-hour leak detection coupled with turbine pump interface monitoring systems.

Construction work on the service station began in early August 2019. ENOC recorded 400,000 manhours during the build process, with zero lost time injury (LTI), demonstrating ENOC Group’s commitment in adhering to the best health, safety and environment (HSE) practices.