CHINA WATCH A friend in Shanghai strongly recommended Greenbang China to write about its  airport – the Shanghai Pudong International.

Okay, so it’s an airport – not exactly friend of the Earth.

Though this project is not yet finished, the energy-saving plan sounds promising. The airport is going to use natural light, wind and rain to slash its original energy consumption to half, it says.

Check out more on Shanghai daily (subscribers only):

“It is hoped about 130 million kilowatt hours of electricity will be saved each year after the project is completed, putting the airport’s annual energy consumption at 150 yuan (US$20) per cubic meter.

The energy-saving project is estimated to cover its construction cost exceeding 100 million yuan within eight years, project designers said.

One of the most impressive aspects of the design is a massive skylight system featuring 138 skylights. The feature is not just an energy-saving measure but a way to showcase the airport’s striking architecture.

Designers are also planning to set up a series of ventilation holes on four sides of the terminal making use of the high wind pressure around the airport.

Designers said water from the 32-kilometer river around the airport would be treated and recycled for the terminal’s toilet flushing and car washing operations.”

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