By June Tsai www.taiwantoday.tw
The Taipei 101 building could soon gain the title of the world’s tallest green structure, the Bureau of Energy under the Ministry of Economic Affairs said Jan. 14.
The BOE noted that the Taipei Financial Center Corp., which runs the Taipei 101, has applied for certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in October 2010.
The TFCC said Taipei 101 expects to receive a platinum award of the council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ranking system later this year.
According to the TFCC, Taipei 101 spent more than NT$119 million (US$4 million) on electricity in 2008.
“But after adopting green measures beginning in 2009, we were able to cut back our electricity bills by NT$12.42 million, or about 9.6 percent, last year,” said Sheu Jau-fa, head of the TFCC Engineering Operations Management.
The green measures adopted include waste reduction measures, new lighting policies, and upgrades to major energy systems used inside the building for heating, cooling and ventilation, according to Sheu.
A special MOEA team has helped Taipei 101 in its conservation efforts by conducting on-site inspections of the different businesses located on its premises.
In addition, the team has given TFCC expert advice on a variety of subjects related to energy conservation.
Standing 509 meters tall, the Taipei 101 building was recognized for many years as the world’s tallest building. It was forced to relinquish its title, however, when the 829-meter Burj Dubai, since named as Burj Khalifa, opened its doors in January 2009.(HZW)
