From the viewpoint of energy and the environment, this summer’s Olympics in Beijing – a city of 15 million people – creates a strange contrast of the reality of China today, a country notorious for concrete and coal, and the vision of its future: a country characterised by astute environmental and energy custodianship.
Even over recent weeks the media have continuously presented a steady stream of stories about the objectionable conditions that the world’s Olympic athletes will have to face in order to compete. Amongst stories of algae flourishing in the waters off of Qingdao, threatening the sailing competitions; and the smog riddle skies that is forcing teams to train away from the city or take on their training with optional breathing masks; the Ethiopian world record holder for the marathon, has decided not to compete in this years race and has stirred much negative press – forcing the International Olympic Committee to consider postponing other such events.
Unfortunately, the air pollution in Beijing has resisted the Chinese government’s efforts to control it. Even by the less austere standards that China uses (China does not publish ozone and fine particle matter readings) air quality has been deemed unhealthy despite attempts to mitigate the polluted atmosphere. This failure is likely to lead to even more stringent measures to wrest control of Beijing’s natural milieu just before and throughout the Olympics.
However, a Green Olympics is still firmly set at the front of official’s mind. Even though the existing environment and industrial, automotive and current infrastructure in Beijing will be far from “green”, the aspirations of the Chinese to create a greener future will be deployed and displayed during the Olympic Games this summer.
During the course of the Olympics, the world will witness China’s showcase of a robust assortment renewable energy and energy efficient features. The design and operation of the Olympic Village and Olympic venues are a statement of a new China powered by renewable energy.
The Olympic buildings alone total nearly 2 million square meters and are a mark of the central government’s vision of a China driven by conservation and environmental protection.
Over one quarter of all energy consumed at Olympic venues will come directly from a synthesis of renewable sources, including wind power, which will provide 20% of the power needs of the Olympic venues and solar power, which will generate nearly 8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power for the Olympic facilities.
Beijing’s first wind farm will supply a power to the Olympic venues throughout Beijing; the wind farm is comprised of a total of 43 turbines (each 1.5 MW). There is also a solar energy hot water system installed in the Olympic Village, designed to provide sufficient hot water to meet the Olympics’ 12,000 athletes, trainers and other personnel; solar-powered streetlights and other technology known as SolarWall hybrid PV/thermal system that produces both electricity and heat; renewable energy vehicles operating within the Olympic village; the plantation of 500,000 trees around Olympic venues; and many, many more initiatives operating throughout the games and beyond.
It is clear that two contradictory views of China’s environmental and energy stewardship will be on display this summer. Let’s just hope that from this potentially paradoxical situation, a real sense of clarity can be achieved by its spectators.
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Posted under Articles, Environmental News, Events, Renewable Energy
This post was written by Ryan Whatley on August 15, 2008