The Pearl River Tower office building will make extensive use of solar and wind energy. Also, the building is located in such a way relative to the prevailing direction of the winds that the air flows will become its "invisible supports".
The sculpturally designed facade of the tower will help the air rush at a higher speed into two openings at the level of the technical floors of the tower. There, the wind must turn the windmills, producing energy for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Also, these openings should reduce the effect of wind on the surface of the building facade.
The energy consumption of the building is reduced by maximizing the use of artificial lighting, reducing the heating by the sun of the walls of those rooms in which the air is air-conditioned, using rainwater for technical needs and using the sun to heat the hot water supply.
Electricity for non-technical consumers will be generated by solar panels on the façade.
At the same time, the project may not be realized: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is still only one of the three finalists of the international competition for the project of the headquarters of one of the major Chinese firms.
