As reported by the Beijing Major Projects Construction Headquarters Office, the first ice rink was completed earlier this month.

The Capital Gymnasium is set to be the competition venue for the short track speed skating and figure skating events.

According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, the technology used can improve energy efficiency by 30 per cent when compared to the average cooling mechanisms used to maintain ice.

This comes from carbon dioxide transcritical direct cooling technology.

It has also been reported that its waste heat can be recovered and reused.

According to Xinhua, Capital Gymnasium can save more than one million kilowatts of electricity every year by using the heat source generated by carbon dioxide ice making.

One million kilowatts could power a million houses for an hour.

Among the 15 ice rinks in the Beijing area, seven will adopt the carbon dioxide cooling technology which is set to be used at the Winter Olympics for the first time.

There will be one ice rink at the National Speed Skating Oval, the new venue known as the "Ice Ribbon" for speed skating.

Two will be used at the National Indoor Stadium, set to be used for ice hockey, while two will be at the National Aquatics Centre for curling.

Three will be at the Wukesong Sports Centre for ice hockey, five will be at the Capital Gymnasium and two will be at the National Disabled Ice Sports Training Centre, which will be used by athletes in preparation for the Paralympics.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics are currently scheduled for February 4 to 20 in 2022, and will be followed by the Paralympics, set for March 4 to 13.