Cutting-edge technologies used in the Beijing Olympic Games venues can benefit the society if promoted widely, said Ding Jianming, deputy chief engineer of Beijing 2008 Project Construction Headquarters Office on Friday.

Ding said high-tech practices in building the Olympic village, competition venues and the Olympic Park help save energy and reduce pollution, which could serve as the models for future architectures in China.

"We carried out a lot of researches in the use of new energy and energy saving during construction of Olympic projects," said Ding.

Photoelectric power, solar thermal, geothermal, sewage heat energy and wind power are power supply alternatives in the Olympic venues.

"For example, in the Olympic Village during the Games time, the hot water in the rooms is provided by the solar energy system. We also have used different types of heat pumps technology. All of these projects can serve as examples for similar future projects on how to save energy and reduce the impact on the environment," he said.

Building in the Olympic Village have been designed in a low energy consumption model, employing photovoltaic and thermal solar power, natural ventilation, natural lighting, geothermal energy and natural cooling resources as well as more than 20 innovative technologies such as heat-insulated walls and windows.

"There is a lake in the Olympic Green. Maintaining the quality of the water in the lake is also a highlight in the Olympic projects," Ding said.

"We have used the wetland as the bio-purification and some artificial purification technologies to ensure the water quality, which we can draw experience for the future," he said.

Ding, however, admitted that large investment in the initial stage could be the top obstacle to promote these new technologies.

"The foremost obstacle to widely use the new technology is huge spending on setting up the systems, whether it is solar energy system or water recycling system. But the benefits will be unfolded when you use it. The maintenance fee is smaller than the traditional ways," he said.

"The advantage falls on the users," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2008)