New Energy Technologies For High-performance Buildings

Abstract

ABSTRACT In today's fiscal environment, building owners are already managing a number of increasing costs. With energy as the single largest operating expense in a typical commercial building, owners and managers looking for new places to slash operating costs should look at potentially significant energy expenditures as an opportunity for relief. This article looks at energy use in buildings and the benefits of green building, green building technologies, renewable energy technologies, and other emerging technologies available to facility owners and managers. Businesses around the world continue to confront an environment of unprecedented fiscal challenges. Organizations are pinched more than ever. Operating expenses continue to rise and are coupled with intense pressure to cut costs. Businesses have a limited appetite for capital investments without clear payback. At the same time, energy use in buildings—which can account for up to 40% of the total operating expenses of a building—is significant and growing. The Energy Information Administration reports that buildings consume one-third of energy worldwide, and energy demand in buildings will continue to rise due to population growth, construction in urban areas, and developing nations' progress. Global energy usage is projected in 2030 to have risen 60% from 1980. Buildings also far outweigh commonly cited polluters such as the transportation and industrial sectors when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions. Energy use in buildings is the single biggest contributor to global warming. In the U.S., 30% of carbon emissions are attributed to existing buildings. Although mandatory limits on carbon dioxide emissions have not yet become widespread, they are under discussion at the local, state, national, and international levels. Such carbon caps are likely to be imposed upon business and industry in the near future, making green building even more important. Carbon caps are going to change the landscape, and newer technologies—or even just taking better advantage of old technologies—will become more important. CEOs of global corporations are increasingly looking for solutions to reduce energy consumption and make a positive impact on the environment, and they are striving to build a financially-driven business case to do so. Because energy use can be such a significant financial burden on buildings, energy conservation measures offer a good place to start when seeking ways to reduce operating costs and quickly make a significant impact on the bottom line. Tangible benefits to green building can be seen for the environment, health and safety of the community, and bottom-line fiscal savings. Green building makes use of natural resources without depletion, and it protects water, air, and biodiversity. It enhances occupant comfort and improves indoor air quality. Green investments ease the strain on local infrastructure, improve quality of life, increase productivity, and improve aesthetics. Further, energy retrofits can enable 20–50% energy savings and improve the value of property. Of course, any dollars not spent on energy are dollars available for other expenses that are particularly vital in today's tight fiscal environment. Today's evolving green technologies offer plenty of sustainable solutions to help businesses and the environment.