The world’s first ultra-low-carbon building of its kind was officially put into use in Qingdao, Shandong

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Today (the 24th), the world’s first ultra-high-level zero-carbon building was officially put into use in Qingdao, Shandong. Apart from photovoltaic power generation, the building can also utilize cascade energy storage batteries and discharged power from new energy vehicles to achieve 100% replacement with green energy. The official inauguration of this building marks new progress made by China in the field of zero-carbon construction. The world’s first ultra-low-carbon building is 117 meters tall, has 23 floors of office space, and consumes around 6,000 kWh of electricity per day. On the east, west, and south sides of the building, building-integrated photovoltaic glass curtain walls have been installed. This essentially gives the building a “power-generating outer layer” capable of directly producing direct current. This DC power can be utilized locally, while also minimizing the losses associated with converting DC to AC. As a result, the building receives approximately 25% of its energy from renewable sources, thereby reducing its carbon emissions by nearly 500 tons per year. At the base of the building, there is also “hidden energy” – 14 used car battery packs that continue to serve a purpose by harnessing their residual heat. By charging and discharging the battery once a day, it is possible to store not only the excess electricity generated by the photovoltaic glass facades but also a large amount of clean energy that cannot be utilized in the grid during periods of low demand. This energy can be stored at a low cost of 0.22 yuan per kilowatt-hour, to be used during peak demand periods or on rainy or overcast days, thereby helping to regulate the electrical load.