Strategies for Simultaneous Embodied Energy and Operational Energy Reductions in Buildings during the Design Stage

Abstract

With the global energy consumption reaching unsustainable levels, the need for regulating energy consumptions has been emphasised. Hence a variety of methods are followed in different countries to minimise the impacts of embodied energy (EE) and operational energy (OE) in buildings. Considering either EE or OE in its individuality is not a pragmatic approach and it is important to consider means of reducing both EE and OE in parallel. The design stage was identified as the most suitable stage for integrating energy efficiency measures, since most crucial project decisions are taken at this stage. Although a multitude of research has been conducted on EE and OE individually, there seems a lack of research that focuses on both these aspects together. The extensive literature review was followed by 5 preliminary interviews with subject matter experts and then semi structured interviews with 12 experts were conducted. It was revealed that determining strategies for achieving simultaneous EE and OE reduction is difficult. The identified strategies to be implemented in the design stage were classified as material selection related, design approach related, building morphology related, procurement process related and other strategies, with a majority of strategies falling under the ‘procurement process’ category.