TOI : Buildings should generate as much energy as they use : Nov 16,2007
Q& A
Buildings should generate as much energy as they use
Olivier Luneau, director, sustainable development, Lafarge, France, and chairman of the UN Development Programmes sustainable building and construction initiative, was in Delhi recently addressing a forum on energy efficiency in buildings organised by The Energy Research Institute of India. He spoke to Narayani Ganesh:
How do buildings contribute to climate change?
The building sector accounts for 30-40 per cent of global energy use. Eighty per cent of total energy consumption takes place during use of buildings and less than 20 per cent during construction. To create greater awareness about this, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development has prepared the first of three reports on energy efficiency in buildings. The aim is to achieve zero net energy building designs.
How would a building achieve zero net energy?
By generating as much energy as it uses through technology and responsible use. A building can produce electricity through solar cells, for instance. Use of material counts too, whether it is glass, concrete, or wood, depending on geography and weather. One model wont suit all. Design and material will depend on local conditions.
What do the reports look at?
The first looks at facts and trends in energy demands in existing buildings, especially with regard to finance (market mechanism and financial instruments), behaviour (responsible use of buildings), and the holistic picture (think of entire buildings performance, not just of one or two components; the need to reduce commuting distance so that gains in design and use are not lost in transport emissions).
The second will look at regionspecific scenarios for buildings in the next 20-30 years and the third will explore the role of government and industry and world trends by 2050. Future buildings would be part commercial and part habitation because during the day commercial buildings use more energy. At night, homes need more energy.
What is the biggest challenge?
Getting the financial community on board. They tend to choose competitive options rather than take a holistic view. The others are lack of awareness, corporate conviction and personal commitment. Business can provide solutions, but it is governments that have to regulate and enforce green designs and use.
In Portugal, for instance, you cannot buy or sell a building if it has not been certified as energy efficient. If your building is not green, you either alter it suitably or demolish it. In France, when you buy or sell a building you have to present a status report on its energy efficiency to the public notary and buyer.
Like quake resistance, energy efficiency can be mandatory. Often the key people are the capital provider and developer, not the end user. So clear standards are needed.