🌟 Big news from Qingdao City in the Chinese mainland's Shandong Province: the world's first ultra zero-carbon office building officially opened its doors this Sunday! Standing 117 meters tall, this skyscraper is rewriting the rules of green construction.
Instead of traditional rooftop panels, its east, south and west facades are wrapped in building-integrated photovoltaic glass curtain walls. These high-tech windows don't just look sleek—they generate direct current electricity, cutting energy loss and covering 25% of the tower's energy needs. Annually, that's a whopping 500 tons of CO2 saved! 🌳
But wait, there's more. The building also gives a second life to retired electric vehicle batteries. Fourteen used EV batteries store any extra clean energy from the solar glass and cheap off-peak power (just 0.22 yuan/kWh!). When demand spikes or clouds roll in, the stored energy keeps lights on and lifts moving without missing a beat. ⚡🔋
Inside, nearly 24,000 micro-sensors replace old-school switches, automating lights, elevators and AC systems. This digital makeover slashes energy use by about 30%, boosts operational efficiency by roughly 30% and even trimmed construction costs by up to 30%. "By using green electricity, we can cut about 2,500 tons of carbon emissions every year," says Yu Dexiang, chairman of TELD New Energy. 🚀
This ultra zero-carbon marvel isn't just an office tower—it's a glimpse into a cleaner, smarter future. Who's ready to work in it? 🙌🏻💚
Reference(s):
World's 1st ultra zero-carbon building inaugurated in E China
cgtn.com
