Back in 2011, we reported on BIG's Amager Bakke project: a waste-to-power station near Copenhagen billed as "the world's cleanest power plant." It should certainly be the world's most fun, as it's due to get a ski slope and an art installation which expels a steam ring each time a ton of carbon dioxide is released. The Danish firm recently turned to Kickstarter to fund development of the steam ring generator.
To be clear, the power plant – complete with ski slope – is already under construction, and BIG's Kickstarter campaign is concerned solely with the steam ring generator device itself.
Based on an original design by Berlin architectural studio realities:united, the steam generator will sit atop the power plant and expel a 21 m (68 ft)-diameter steam ring into the sky each time the plant releases a ton (0.9 tonne) of CO2 into the atmosphere. It comprises three steam lines, each with a different pressure, which produce the rings.
It's a compelling idea, and offers locals a real insight into what's being pumped into the air they breathe.
"By 2017 the citizens of Copenhagen will not only be able to ski down the cleanest power plant in the world – their perceptions of what a power plant can be will be challenged by an art piece that raises awareness of our carbon emissions," says BIG.
BIG and its collaborators have already produced two small prototypes of the steam ring generator and are seeking funds toward a larger unit. If this goes well, the final version will hopefully be built by 2017.
The Kickstarter campaign's promised awards include having one's name engraved into the steam ring generator prototype (with a digital photo taken as proof), and joining BIG's Bjarke Ingels and the rest of the team at the opening of the Copenhagen power plant upon completion (not including travel expenses).
Check out the video below for more information on the project.
Sources: BIG, Kickstarter
