Architecture

BIG crowdfunds steam ring generator for ski slope power plant

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The chimney will release a 21 m (68 ft)-diameter steam ring each time the plant releases a ton of CO2
BIG
BIG and its collaborators have already produced two smaller scale prototypes of the steam ring generator, and want more money to help fund another penultimate prototype
BIG
The ski-slope and incinerator are already well underway to being built
BIG
The chimney will release a 21 m (68 ft)-diameter steam ring each time the plant releases a ton of CO2
BIG
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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.

The ski-slope and incinerator are already well underway to being built
BIG

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

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6 comments
Bob Flint
Like an old fat man puffing on a cigar..
Wolf0579
Great idea, although it seems a bit celebratory to have a visual event like a huge steam ring released for every ton of CO2 released
GoForward
I agree with others here. A ring of steam to mark each ton of CO2 released? That's nothing to celebrate, and why don't they build instead a hybrid solar and wind power facility with Tesla Powerpack battery storage? They can use the Kickstarter money to power an efficient display that shows how many tons of CO2 have been avoided, and the leftover money they can use to add extra energy generation to the solar/wind facility.
Additionally, they should build a recycling center to process waste.
BZD
Not a fan. It is a good thing to make people aware of the pollution that comes from generating energy, but to me this contraption would be pollution in it's own way. Firstly creating the rings will require energy and secondly I prefer the sky not being filled with all sorts of signals even when we are talking about ones that will dissipate after a short while.
Wombat56
Why would a European power plant mark the release of a ton of CO2 instead of a tonne?
BZD
@GoFoward: Some info. The idea of making each ton of CO2 is not celebrate, but to raise awareness. Lots of especially Wind power*, but also Solar power in Denmark already and more is coming. So the plant is not instead of renewable energy it is supplementing and on the same it's fueled with waste which is burned rather that going into landfills. Also lots of recycling going on as well.
*It is expected that well before 2020 Denmark will be covering half of it's electricity needs with Wind power. The latest record set on a windy day this Summer was 140% of coverage by Wind alone (the surplus is then exported to neighboring countries).