Increasing energy efficiency and optimizing building automation of Taiwans tallest building: Siemens helps TAIPEI 101 attain LEED Platinum Certification.
TAIPEI 101, at 508 meters one of the worlds tallest structures to date, has been awarded the LEED Platinum certification for energy efficiency and environmental design. LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is the most important Green Building rating system in the world. The Siemens Building Technologies Division played a key role in helping TAIPEI 101 attain the certification. Over the past two years, TAIPEI 101s building automation and energy efficiency were optimized to achieve a 10 saving in electricity usage, water consumption and garbage production. Indoor air quality is now meeting the highest standards as laid out by LEED. Thus, TAIPEI 101s energy consumption is 30 lower in comparison to that of an average building, leading to annual energy cost savings of approximately US700,000.
With a height of 508 meters and 101 floors plus an additional five floors below ground, TAIPEI 101 is Taiwans tallest building and the most prominent landmark of the capital city of Taipei. It is the worlds first building of its size to receive the LEED-EBOM Platinum certification Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance. This recognition can only be attained by buildings which fully meet the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability requirements defined by the standard.
Raising the green bar even higher.
During the certification process, Siemens supplied its expertise in building operations and, in partnership with EcoTech International and Steven Leach Associates, provided the operators of TAIPEI 101 with consulting services in all aspects of the Green Building certification. As LEED consultant and initial supplier of building control management systems, security solutions and lighting for the Taiwanese high-rise, Siemens played a critical role in raising TAIPEI 101s building automation, which already was very energy efficient, to the Platinum level. Siemens consulting services, subsequent implementation of the necessary strategies and plans as well as installationof additional components were instrumental in helping TAIPEI 101 gain the maximum number of points in the LEED-EBOM categories Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Atmosphere..
Substantial energy, water and garbage reductions.
Siemens Energy Monitoring and Control System EMCS facilitated the streamlining of the operation and control of the HVAC equipment throughout the complex, optimizing the entire energy usage. Applying improved algorithms for the chiller plant and changing the sequence of operation also considerably increased the efficiency of the cooling system. TAIPEI 101s energy consumption is now 30 lower compared to average buildings. This was achieved by using Siemens EMCS as well as through energy modeling, energy audits, commissioning services and the installation of additional sensors. The indoor air quality is now meeting the highest standards as laid out by LEED.
In gaining LEED Platinum certification, TAIPEI 101 now achieves annual savings of 2,995 metric tons in reduced CO2 emissions the equivalent of preserving over 9 acres of woodland from deforestation, or 239 cars from being driven for the whole year. In addition, 28,000 metric tons of water as well as 1,261 metric tons of garbage are now saved each year. Power consumption is 4.8 million kWh lower than prior to implementing the measures required to meet the LEED criteria. Efficiency gains translate to cost savings of approximately NT20 million or US700,000 a year. After reaching the LEED-EBOM Platinum level, TAIPEI 101 becomes the tallest Green Building in the world.
Buildings account for 40 of the worlds energy consumption and 21 of the global CO2 emissions, explained Hubert Keiber, CEO of Siemens Building Automation Business Unit. The energy and cost saving potential is substantial. Owners or operators of green buildings can not only generate a significant impact on environmental mitigation, but they can also substantially save costs over the entire lifecycle of the building.
Peter Weiss, CEO of Siemens Ltd. Taiwan, emphasized: What makes the going green of buildings attractive is that its technically feasible and that the return on investment is guaranteed. Buildings in Taiwan new or old, private or commercial, single-story or skyscraper are capable of becoming certified green buildings, thus helping to shape sustainable development in Taiwan.
Managing a building of this scale brings a lot of challenges to the building automation system. On the one hand it requires effective climate and lighting control, reliable safety protection, and efficient flow of visitors. On the other hand, all the systems and plants have to be fully integratedinto a reliable, truly automated energy management and control system, said Peter Halliday, Vice President of the Siemens Building Technologies Division in Taiwan.