A unique sports stadium was recently completed in Taiwan, after two years of hard work. It is known as the World Games Stadium, and it gets all its power from solar energy via the photovoltaic panels on its roof. The dragon-shaped stadium was designed by Japanese Toyo Iyo, and can seat up to 50,000 sports fans.
The stadium will be used for the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung that will be held in July. The roof consists of 8,844 solar panels that can be used to light up the events at night. The 14,155 square meter solar roof can power the stadium’s 3,300 lights, and two large screens. It had a dry-run last January, and it only took six minutes to power up the stadium’s lighting system.
The solar-power system is not the only green feature the stadium incorporated into its design. It also has permeable paving, and it used reusable materials in its original construction. It stands on a 19-hectare property, with seven hectares reserved for green spaces, sports parks, and bicycle paths. In the future, an ecological pond will be created on the property as well.
Reportedly, no plants were harmed during the construction of the stadium. Plants were transplanted if it got in the way of the structure. The building’s designs were made in accordance with green building requirements.
The stadium has an open design, signifying the warm hospitality of the city. It is oriented in such as way that the spectators are shielded from the southwestern summer winds, and the northwestern winter winds as well. That way, the audience and the athletes can better enjoy sporting events, even on windy days.
Sports fans will not be the only ones to benefit from the stadium’s solar panels. When the stadium is not in use, its energy is fed to the local power grid. This energy can provide power to 80% of the nearby residential area.
The stadium’s solar power system can produce 1.14 million KWh per year. That’s a decrease of 660 tons of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Green stadiums are becoming the trend these days. It just shows that people are starting to realize the importance of energy conservation, and the use of sustainable energy.
This is not only an architectural marvel, but an ecological one as well. You can see what the World Games Stadium looks like in the video below.
Tags: 2009 World Games, conservation, emissions, energy, energy conservation, gas, green building, grid, Kaohsiung, photovoltaic, photovoltaic panel, photovoltaic panels, solar, solar energy, solar panel, solar panels, Solar Power, solar power system, Solar Powered Stadium, solar roof, sustainable, Taiwan
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Source Article: 100% Solar Powered Stadium Rises in Taiwan
wow its really a great stadium i wish i can go and check it out myself i hope it would be a sample for engineers to make buildings or establishments that uses solar power or other nature loving techniques to power up there establishment… it may cost a lot but its really a good investment and save money for the electricity that you pay…
Whow! Such a great building! I think really think engineers should take a look to taiwan