An innovative energy system which delivers natural sunlight deep into a building's recesses, where daylight from windows cannot reach, has been launched in the UAE.

Called the SunPipe, the system is manufactured by Monodraught Limited, a British firm of more than 25 years' standing, which specialises in innovative low-energy products.

The company's UAE and Middle East agents are Edison Lighting (ME) Limited, based at the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai. At the helm of Edison Lighting (ME) are Kenneth and Justin Carter, specialists in the application of fibre optic lighting.

Explaining how the system works, a company spokesman says: ''The remarkable SunPipe is an aluminium tube with an internal mirror finish. Emerging from an acrylic dome on the outside, this highly-reflective and anodised tube that can meander down 20 m into a building through twists and turns and horizontal lengths to bring daylight deep into the interiors of buildings, where light is evenly diffused by a translucent ceiling fixture.

''The SunPipes come in diameters ranging from 200 mm (8") to 1 m. For domestic applications, an 8" SunPipe will light up an area of up to 80 sq ft (7.5 sq m) to 300 lux, while a 13-inch system will light up an area of up to 150 sq ft (14 sq m) to 630 lux.

''For commercial applications, there are six sizes available: 450 mm dia lighting 25 sq m, 530 mm lighting 36 sq m, 600 mm lighting 40 sq m, 750 mm lighting 50 sq m, 900 mm lighting 60 sq m and 1 m lighting 70 sq m.

''The pipes are made of aluminium which is laminated with a silverised PET (polyethylene terepthalate) film. The reflective silver layer is sandwiched between the PET film and the aluminium base substrate. The presence of a UV inhibitor provides outstanding QUV durability and no delamination and with no decrease in total reflectance, when subject to the extreme conditions of a cycling UV light. An open cell brushed nylon gasket at the top of the system prevents dust entering and condensation, while a closed cell gasket at ceiling level seals against the dome. All vertical joints are sealed with silicone and aluminium tape.''

One of the first UAE installations was at the Rashid School for boys, where a total of 60 SunPipes in diameters of 13" (330 mm) were installed in classrooms, computer rooms, toilets and internal corridors.

''The results were quite stunning, with large areas of internal rooms lit to a level in excess of 600 lux,'' the spokesman says.

He continues: ''Many have likened the SunPipe to a giant fibre-optic cable, since it can twist and turn to bring natural daylight to wherever you want it. And there are no energy costs.

''Health benefits are also considerable, since the ability to project natural daylight to interior parts of a building has particular long-term benefits: SAD(seasonal affective disorder) is known to be linked to the deprivation of natural light.

''SunPipe systems are now being considered for use in various internal offices, villas, car showrooms, hotels, factories and warehouses and schools.

''The system is particularly suited for the Middle East as there is virtually no heat gain, the SunPipe being sealed at the top and bottom creating a column of still air, which is a good insulator against heat transfer.''

Monodraught also specialises in Windcatcher natural ventilation systems, which draw on the same design concepts as those of wind scoops and wind towers, found traditionally in the Middle East.

''The Windcatcher is based on the same principles but employs sophisticated controls to regulate the airflow and is manufactured in highly durable plastic,'' the spokesman adds.