Green, low-carbon efforts empower high-quality development in Shandong

An artificial lake in the garden-like factory of Dong'e Ejiao. [Photo by Hou Changming/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A project involving the use of recycled cooling water for residential heating was underway in a residential area of Dong'e county, Shandong province, on Feb 1. The bubbling hot water being pressure-tested in the heating pipes was not regular tap water.

"The high-pressure steam produced by the company is used for power generation and is transmitted to the national power grid, while the recycled cooling water is utilized for residential heating, significantly reducing energy consumption," said Liu Changyong, general manager of Dong'e Jidian Energy Co, the central heating company in Dong'e county. So far, over 260 residential areas have achieved low-temperature residual heating.

Represented by this company, the Dong'e Economic Development Zone has established a multi-faceted and interconnected circular industrial chain network, including ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin), biopharmaceuticals, and high-end equipment manufacturing, achieving efficient utilization of resources and energy.

Another example is Dong'e Ejiao – China's renowned donkey-hide gelatin producer. In the company's garden-style factory park, the photovoltaic power generation system accounts for one-fifth of total power generation of the economic development zone.

The company has also implemented a series of energy-saving and emissions-reducing measures, including upgrading and renovating auxiliary production equipment, which has resulted in a reduction of over 3,400 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and the saving of 285 tons of standard coal annually.

Guided by the concept of green, low-carbon, and circular development, the economic development zone has been honored with multiple titles, including "demonstration base for new industrialization in Shandong". (Edited by Yang Yi)