By Fu Yu (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-06 06:34

Seawater is being used to regulate the temperature within the main venue for the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian.

The seawater-source heat pump system harnesses the energy released by seawater temperature differences to provide buildings with air conditioning, bringing huge energy savings and environmental benefits.

Dalian Expo Center, located in the Dalian's Xinghai Bay Commercial District, where the installation of the seawater-source heat pump system was completed in July this year, can both cool and heat an area of 300,000 sq m.

"This is one of the efforts made by the Dalian municipality to promote a 'Green Davos' in Dalian," Xia Deren, mayor of Dalian, said.

The Green Davos concept was suggested by WEF's Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, who said energy saving and environmental protection remained dominant themes of world economic development.

"Dalian is not only a model city in China, but it also has taken a leading role in enacting innovative environmental protection and in bringing about other features of an international city," Schwab said.

"It has great potential for development and holds a responsible position in the world economic arena."

The WEF chose Dalian as the venue for this year's meeting for business and political elites, citing its sound environment, modern public transportation, and its ability to host major international meetings and forums.

"We would like to take this opportunity to showcase Dalian's experience in environmental protection and energy saving as an effort to build a sustainable and environmental-friendly society," said Xia.

Dalian also uses low-emission cars for public transportation and rubbish classification equipment at hotels and conference venues.

(China Daily 09/06/2007 page2)