Gigantic Energy-Generating Waterfall Skyscraper Could Power the 2016 Rio Olympics

This renewable energy generating tower located on the coast of <a href="../2009/10/19/rios-paineiras-hotel-to-receive-eco-renovation/" target="_blank">Rio</a> is one of the first buildings we’ve seen designed for the 2016 Rio Olympics, and boy, is it crazy! (In case you didn't notice, it's also a waterfall.) The Solar City Tower is designed by Zurich-based <a href="http://www.rafaa.ch/" target="_blank">RAFAA Architecture &amp; Design</a>, and features a large solar system to generate power during the day and a pumped water storage system to generate power at night. RAFAA's goal is that a symbolic tower such as this can serve as a starting point for a global green movement and help make the 2016 <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/12/will-london-2012-be-the-green-olympics/" target="_blank">Olympic Games more sustainable</a>.

The self-sustaining tower for the 2016 Olympic Games is designed to create <a href="../energy" target="_blank">renewable energy</a> for use in the <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/17/olympic-athletes-village-greenest-neighborhood-in-the-world/" target="_blank">Olympic Village</a> as well as the city of Rio.

A large <a href="../solar-power/" target="_blank">solar power</a> plant generates energy during the day. Any excess power not used during the day is utilized to pump seawater into a storage tank within the tower.

At night, the water is released to power turbines, which will provide nighttime power for the city. On special occasions water is pumped out to create a <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/11/24/eden-falls-skyscraper-zoo-topped-with-a-waterfall/" target="_blank">waterfall</a> over the edges of the building, which RAFAA <a href="http://www.rafaa.ch/rafaa/rio_de_janeiro.html" target="_blank">says</a> will be, "a symbol for the forces of nature."

Info on the size of the solar and pumped water storage system is not available yet.

Access to the <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/08/water-purification-skyscraper-purifies-jakarta-rivers/" target="_blank">eco tower</a> is gained through an urban plaza and amphitheater 60 meters above sea level, which can be used for social gatherings.