Comparative Analysis of Two Energy-Efficient Technologies Used in the Shanghai Tower

Climate change continues to affect the lives of individuals across the world, creating a rise in demand for new technologies that can slow down the impacts of climate change. Shanghai, one of the largest cities in the world, has one of the highest carbon emission levels. In recent years, the research and development of energy-efficient technologies have gained more and more attention. The Shanghai Tower is a pioneer in green building design and a prominent example of Shanghai’s efforts towards low-carbon city development. In this paper, two technologies within the Shanghai Tower—ground source heat pumps (GSHP) and double skin facades (DSF)—will be analyzed. The paper will consist of firstly an investigation of the principles of the technologies, and then analysis, evaluation, and comparison of their respective characteristics. While both GSHP and DSF are used for sustainable purposes, the effectiveness of technologies depends on what environment the technology is used in and what purpose they serve. The evaluation of GSHP and DSF will be based on their performances under Shanghai’s climate and whether they contribute to the purposes of the Shanghai Tower.