|
(Last updated: 31 Oct 2007)
Trends and opportunities
The market
China is one of the world’s largest economies and the second largest energy consumer. Building-related energy consumption accounts for 30 per cent of the country’s total energy use. This figure rises to 40 per cent if manufacture and transport of building materials is considered. Half of the world’s buildings constructed between now and 2020 are expected to be in China. It is believed that if nothing is done to check the energy situation, building-related energy consumption in China will double by 2020.
China has been developing green policies since it was granted the right to host Olympics in 2001, and momentum has increased since 2004. Further policy announcements were made in May 2006 and early 2007. The Vice Minister of Construction, Qiu Baoxing, said recently that environmental degradation and energy waste are obstacles to China’s economic growth.
He announced that the country could save 350 million tonnes of coal in the next 15 years if existing buildings were made more energy efficient and new construction was to meet stricter standards. Other senior government officials have reinforced the message, stating that reducing building-related energy consumption should be given a high priority.
Green building has been given importance in both China’s 11th Five-Year-Plan and its medium and long-term plan for science and technology development.
Some outcomes of this elevated emphasis include:
- The government will invest approximately US$400 billion on energy efficiency projects before 2010.
- The government has launched an ambitious plan to renovate existing buildings to make them more energy-efficient. Twenty-five per cent of the buildings in medium-sized cities and 10 per cent of those in small cities will be refurbished by 2020.
- The government has also indicated it will announce tax rebates and other financial incentives for the construction and purchase of energy efficient buildings in the future.
Green projects
There are 11 'Green Cities' and 140 'Green Building' projects under construction. Some examples of green building projects are listed below in some of the major cities.
BEIJING
Four demonstration buildings have been constructed or are in the planning stages to promote the development of green building technology:
- China-USA energy efficiency demonstration building. The new Ministry of Science building in Beijing, is the first green building in China, which meets internationally acknowledged energy efficiency criteria. The building uses 70 per cent less energy than similar federal buildings in the US and saves 10,000 tonnes of water annually through rainwater collection. Although more than 400 people work there, the building uses the amount of energy generally required for only 200 people.
- Renewable energy utilisation demonstration building. This building, owned by Tianpu Group, was constructed with the support of Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission. The building, with an area of 8000sqm uses several advanced renewable energy technologies, including solar hot water technology, solar photovoltaic power generation technology, solar absorption heating and air conditioning technology, as well as ground source heat pumps.
- Advanced energy technology demonstration building at Beijing University of Technology. This building has a floor space of 5000sqm and will house the Ministry of Education’s ‘Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation’. Eleven advanced energy technologies will be integrated into the building including: ground-source heat pumps, energy efficient lighting, heat recovery, thermal energy storage, photo-catalytic air cleaning, anti-fouling technology, thermal insulation, solar concentrating photovoltaic power generation, wind power, energy consumption testing and humidity control.
- Super low energy consumption building at Tsinghua University. A super low energy consumption building of 2800sqm using advanced technologies for clean energy and energy conservation. This includes solar energy, new heat storage technology, natural ventilation, green lighting technology and insulation.
SHANGHAI
Dongtan Eco-City. The Shanghai Industrial and Investment Corporation has commissioned Ove Arup & Partners to create a masterplan for one of the 11 eco-cities. Dongtan, at Shanghai’s Chong Ming island, east of Shanghai will be the world’s largest eco-city. It will measure 8400 hectares and will be largely water and energy sufficient.
Shanghai ecology demonstration office building. Winner of the ‘Green Innovation Design Award’ and the ‘Top 10 Best Construction Achievement Award’. It uses 75 per cent less energy than comparable buildings. Twenty per cent of the total construction energy will be sourced from renewable energy. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) will not be used in the interior environment and much recycled material will be used.
GUANGZHOU
Guangzhou University City
Guangzhou International Convention Exhibition Centre
SHENZHEN
The Shenzhen Qiaoxiang residential project is a residential area of 500,000sqm with 200,000sqm of solar energy systems.
The Shenzhen Fraser Hotel (TaiGe service apartment) received a LEED silver rating.
The Shenzhen Vanke Real Estate Development Company is working with Holland Housing Department to design a residential housing project, which will include energy saving technology from Holland.
Key organisations:
- State Council
- National Development and Reform Committee
- Ministry of Construction
- Ministry of Science
- Provincial and Municipal Governments
- Green Building and Architecture Design Association
- Green Peace China
Opportunities
Services:
- Architecture and design
- Interior design
Products:
- Heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC)
- Building integrated solar system
- Energy efficient lighting
- Openings – windows, louvres, doors and skylights
- Smart house technology
- Water saving and storage systems
- Insulation
- Green wall materials
|