Singapore’s Supertrees: Taking Solar Power to the Next Level
Apr 11
250 acres have been set aside in the ‘Gardens by the Bay’ project as an enhancement and an attraction for this downtown Singapore area. The plan includes a variety of fauna and flora from around the world and will be host to the latest renewable energy supertrees. The ‘trees’ vary in height in the same way that a natural forest would; from 25 to 50 meters high, they are a man-made forest. Eighteen of the supertrees will be part of the vertical gardens, performing not only as solar power generators, but also acting as ducts for air ventilation for the conservatories nearby as well as rainwater collection. Eleven of these supertrees are outfitted with solar photovoltaic systems, converting sunlight into needed energy. The energy provides light and assists with the water technology needs. But the trees are not just functional, they are also incredibly beautiful. The project managers have designed additions to the trees to include various ferns and tropical flowers to climb and wind through the steel framework. They provide a network of canopies that act as a natural temperature moderator as well as perform heat absorbing and dispersing abilities. Visitors will use the canopies as shelter to cool themselves during the hot Singapore climate.
Sources: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/08/world/asia/singapore-supertrees-gardens-bay/index.html?iid=article_sidebar
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