WHOA! That was the first thing that came to mind when I saw this monster of a high-rise. To be built in the Middle East is the Burj Al-Taqa Energy Tower. The designer, Eckhard Gerber the 322 meter high zero emissions tower will utilize the solar power, wind and hydro power to meet all of its energy needs.
Again, WHOA! Using natural air conditioning, Iranian wind catchers look to me like turbines–turbines built into buildings. The wind is drawn in and down to cool the building.
Air will be pre cooled with seawater, that is dispersed throughout the building,ventilated through the double skin facade and tubing is run through the ceilings that is cool and providing additional radiant thermal comfort.
Solar energy uses vacuum glazing that is supposed to be 60% more efficient than what is available today. Rotating solar shields provide shade and PVC installed for electricity. The turbine atop the building along with more roof mounted solar arrays plus a floating array in the water nearby will all totally meet the buildings electrical needs. They expect that any excess will be used to extract hydrogen from the seawater for fuel cells.
Now, don’t expect to see these towers going up next week. The projections for this tower and others like it are dependent upon unproven techniques as well as materials that have not gone the trial and error process. However, with the possibility of zero emissions, if it can be done, it might be one darn good idea!
