World’s Most Energy Efficient Building Soon to Rise in China

Written by Sabrina Deparine

Monday, 08 March 2010 15:37

Last Updated on Monday, 08 March 2010 15:47

Page views: 153

The first high-rise commercial building, also said to be the most energy efficient in the world, in China is expected to finish construction within this year.

The Pearl River Tower will highlight the potential of green buildings in the major manufacturing regions in the world. It is the first-ever structure in mainland China to incorporate high levels of advanced sustainable technologies. As of the moment, the Pearl River Tower will make use of both wind and solar power technologies but other renewable energy sources may also come into play later on when the structure has been completed.

Image source: http://www.pieces-zine.com/200901steel/images/pearlrivertower.jpg

Image source: http://www.pieces-zine.com/200901steel/images/pearlrivertower.jpg

According to Jaime Velez, personnel from the U.S.-based planner Skidmore, Owings and Merrill L.L.P., they made it a priority that the Pearl River Tower should utilize renewable energy sources to produce electricity for the entire building.

The building has wind and solar power harvesting capabilities. Wind intake gaps have been installed to propel wind turbines. It also makes use of win management and redirection technology to make the electricity supply more stable and sustainable. Energy consumption in the entire building will be reduced because it will maximize natural day light. It is also capable of reducing heat build-up in air-conditioned spaces as well as saving and storing rainwater for re-use and using of natural sunlight to warm the water supply.

Buildings consume about 40% of energy worldwide. They also contribute significantly to carbon emissions. In China, the per capita carbon emission is almost five tons which surpasses the world average of 4.18 tons. As such, the adoption of more energy-efficient technologies in buildings can help a lot in minimizing the carbon emissions. The Pearl River Tower, for instance, can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 3,000 tons per year. This will help the Chinese achieve an overall energy savings rate of 30.4 % per year.

Apart from the energy savings and reduction in carbon emissions, the Pearl River Tower will also show the world that commercial buildings in China are now comparable to buildings in other countries in terms of international standards. It also shows that sustainable green building structures are possible without compromising the environment.