Solana Power Station

Solana Power Station

“The Solana Generating Station is a solar power plant near Gila Bend, Arizona, about 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Phoenix, completed in 2013. When commissioned it was the largest parabolic trough plant in the world and the first U.S. solar plant with molten salt thermal energy storage. It has a total capacity of 280 megawatts (MW) gross, from two 140 MW gross (125 MW net) steam turbine generators, which is enough to power 70,000 homes while avoiding around 475,000 tons of CO2 every year.” (Wikipedia)

With its aim at producing power efficiently, the Solana Power Station is a CST-based station designed to provide six hours of energy storage. This will help it run more than a year, after it reaches capacity. 

This project “is a strong example of how the US has embraced green technologies alongside game-changing drilling techniques that allow the country to extract abundant tight oil and shale gas resources. Renewables have allowed the US‑to hedge its energy bet while remaining a prolific consumer – and producer – of traditional hydrocarbons.” (KPMG)

Importance of Green Building Certification

Importance of Green Building Certification

In the present world, the real estate industry continues to chuck on. But construction of new buildings which don’t meet certain standards have been proven to have a negative impact on the environment for many years. Hence, the society now leans on building certification bodies to 

design more environmentally conscious buildings, which in turn build communities.

But for that, buildings have to be made sustainable first. And, that’s where green buildings come into play. The U.S. EPA says “Green building is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort. Green building is also known as a sustainable or high performance building.” 

One may ask what are the benefits of green buildings? These include reduction of operation costs/creating market for integrating renewable energy, reduced wastage of water/conserving natural resources as well as improving quality of live/maximizing potential of human resources.

One such certification board is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). LEED is considered to be the premier certification body in the world. ’’Between 2015 and 2018, LEED-certified buildings in the United States are estimated to have $1.2 billion in energy savings, $149.5 million in water savings, $715.2 million in maintenance savings and $54.2 million in waste savings’’ (USGBC).   

Beipanjiang Bridge

Beipanjiang Bridge

China continues to be the world’s fastest growing country in terms of infrastructure. Once again, China has marked its stamp on road infrastructure by opening the world’s highest bridge in Southwest China. 

This bridge has been raised 564 m above, validating its claim. Spanning over 1,364 meters over four lanes, it connects the provinces of Guizhou and Yunnan, and is expected to reduce journey time between the cities of Liupanshui and Xuianwei from five hours to just two. It is going to heavily benefit the truck owners/drivers. Obviously, a lot of time would go in planning & research. So, construction finally started in 2009.  

“The engineering and placement of the bridge was an enormous undertaking. The gorge the bridge crosses was so deep that the structure had to be able to withstand a “strong wind field,” according to a deputy chief engineer at CCCC Highway Consultants Co., LTD.” (IBTimes)

China is home to various other engineering marvels. In fact, even the previous two records for the highest bridge have been held by China. These bridges continue to refurbish the image of China as a modern, vibrant nation. 

(A picture of the bridge, image credits: The Telegraph)

Precast Concrete

Precast Concrete

Concrete is the foundation on which our society is built on. Literally. And, precast concrete, a form of concrete formation, has become the most accepted form of construction in recent years. Recently, Queensland, Australia has formed a $300 million State Infrastructure Plan where majority of its projects plan to employ precast concrete. How has this form been developed over years?

It was builders who realized that the building process would be expedited tremendously if they poured the concrete moulds. And hence, these ancient structures have stood the test of time. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Well, it can’t be destroyed in a day too, due to precast concrete. In the modern age, it was John A. Brodie and Yannick Macken who developed precast panelled buildings in 1905, allowing them to be built quicker and cheaper than ever before.

(A picture of a bridge constructed using precast concrete)

Many industrial experts have hailed precast concrete as the most beneficial form of casting in the industry at present. A precast slab, when combined with an in situ concrete topping is said save thousands of dollars compared to the conventional method of slab concrete casting. Other advantages of using precast concrete is the increased quality of the material and the reduced cost of constructing large forms used with concrete poured on site. It is used mainly in the construction of buildings with repetitive design and elements, such as schools and apartments. Materials which have been built using high structural strength and rigidity, which have also been found to support heavy loads. This allows longer span in structural components and saves time too.

Yet, there are disadvantages in using precast concrete too. There exists a very small margin for error, hence very skilled workmanship is required in the application of the panel on site. The need for repetition of forms will affect creativity in building design. Yet, these challenges could be overcome. Significant efficiency in labour can be achieved through mass production techniques which could solve the hurdle of costly labour. With time, other problems could be resolved too. 

(The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, Baku is going to be built using precast)

Jiuquan Wind Power Base

Jiuquan Wind Power Base

A group of large wind farms, the Jiunquan Wind Power Base, (construction started in 2009) is expected to provide 8GW power in total. It is located in barren areas near the city of Jiuquan. Described as the country's largest wind project, it is seen as a great initiative to increase China's drive in renewable energy sector. It is expected to provide power to most of Northwest China. More than 3,500 turbines have been erected with an installed capacity of 5.16 GW, and at present the turbines are generating 1.15 GW of power, said Wang Jianxin, director of Jiuquan Development and Reform Commission.

"The Jiuquan Wind Power Base is a key part of China’s plan to supply 15 percent of the country’s energy from alternative and renewable sources by 2020. Carbon dioxide emissions have more than doubled in the past 10 years, taking China past the US as the world’s top emitter of greenhouse gases. Although critics have questioned its cost-effectiveness, the US$17.5 billion development will be the largest collective wind farm group in the world when completed." (KPMC)

Oyu Tolgoi Mine

Oyu Tolgoi Mine

An upcoming mine project (underground and open) in Mongolia which is the largest financial undertaking in the small country of Mongolia, costing US$4.6 billion. Many have described it as the largest mining project in the world. It is expected to bring many benefits to the Mongolian economy, especially increasing its economy by 35%. It has already contributed $800 million in pre-tax payments to the government of Mongolia. It is also expected to employ 15,000 Mongolians. 

 “Oyu Tolgoi is a catalyst for investment in infrastructure including housing for company employees, utilities and services in the Khanbogd soum and regional cities. The Project is developing roads, air transport and an electric grid in the South Gobi region and is investing $126 million in Mongolia’s largest education and training program to support university education and vocational training for mining and technical graduates across Mongolia.” (Gcgf) This project is expected to kick-start financial investments from other countries. The region is also expected to oppose China as the sole premier economic hub. The project is also expected to follow internal guidelines and rules for safety. 

Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais

Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais

Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais is a hospital in Mirebalais that was created by Partners In Health after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. It features solar power that can provide complete power on sunny days and feed power back to the grid. It is the largest solar-operated hospital in the world.

“With 1,800 solar panels, the building is immune to the country’s frequent power cuts, and on very sunny days can produce a surplus that will boost the flailing national grid. The hospital is equipped with the latest technology, including virtual teaching facilities. Private funding for this PPP came from donors such as the American Red Cross, the GE Foundation and Artists for Haiti, with US-based international aid organization.” (KPMC)

Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais, a state-of-the-art medical facility, was funded by several non-profit organizations, including the Red Cross, the GE Foundation, and Artists for Haiti, an organization founded by actor Ben Stiller and art gallery owner David Zwirner.