The builders of construction projects in downtown Shanghai will be encouraged to raise the use of energy-saving materials and reduce energy consumption up to 70 percent, industry officials said.

Under national standards, new public construction projects must use materials that cut the use of energy by at least 50 percent.

But shanghai, as a major metropolis where energy use is high, should take a leading position in saving the nation's resources, said Shen Ruide, vice dean of the Shanghai Construction Materials Development Office.

City construction officials visited a model building site on Changyang Road in Yangpu District recently, which they said embodies the future of the local construction materials industry.

The shanghai Tobacco Science and Education Center high rise, which is still under construction, employs 10 energy-saving technologies in both the structure's interior and exterior, all of which are considered effective in energy conservation.

"For example, all the hot water consumed in the building is created by solar-powered equipment, which alone can save about 200,000 yuan (US$24,691) in electricity charges every year," Shen said. "And the plumbing system recycles rain for watering plants in the building."

Among all the "green" materials, a double-layer glass curtain wall is perhaps the most effective as a conservation device.

Regarded as "a respiratory skin," the exterior wall coordinates the balance between natural lighting, ventilation and energy conservation.

"The glass curtain wall can open to let in fresh air and can also insulate to reduce electricity consumption," said Hu Qingyun of the Shanghai Urban Construction and Traffic Commission.

The construction of energy efficient buildings will help reduce the load on the city's overburdened power grid; however, officials admit there is still a long way to go before such conservation practices are widely adopted.

"The center sets a good example, but it is hard to copy because of its high cost," Shen said.

The cost of buildings using such energy-saving construction materials is about 25 percent higher than the costs of traditional structures.

(Shanghai Daily September 24, 2005)