State Grid Zhejiang powers ultra-low-carbon transformation of public buildings

On Aug 8, the Fenghua District Administrative Service Center in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, was recognized as the province's first ultra-low-carbon government building, following a comprehensive retrofit led by State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power. The project has slashed the building's annual electricity usage by more than 10 percent, saving 636,000 kWh, reducing carbon emissions by 634 tonnes, and lowering annual electricity costs by 460,000 yuan ($63972.66).

The center, built in 2015, had seen its energy usage rise as occupancy reached capacity and equipment aged. To address this, State Grid Zhejiang developed a tailored energy-saving plan, replacing outdated systems, installing a smart energy management platform, and applying real-time monitoring and remote controls to improve efficiency.

The upgrades included a 5,000-square-meter photovoltaic carport, sensor-based air-conditioning and lighting controls, radiative-cooling materials, and electric vehicle charging stations. These measures marked Zhejiang's first "energy trust" project for a government building, a model now promoted nationwide by the Government Offices Administration of the State Council.

The transformation has transformed the Fenghua center into a benchmark for public-sector energy conservation in Zhejiang. State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power plans to extend the model to more public buildings, helping facilities across the province reduce their energy use and cut carbon emissions.