Use of LCA as a Tool for Building Ecodesign. A Case Study of a Low Energy Building in Spain

Ignacio Zabalza,Eva Llera,Alberto Jáñez,Sabina Scarpellini,Alfonso Aranda

doi:10.3390/en6083901

Abstract

This paper demonstrates how to achieve energy savings in the construction and operation of buildings by promoting the use of life cycle assessment techniques in the design for new buildings and for refurbishment. The paper aims to draw on the application of a specific methodology for low energy consumption, integrated planning, environmental performance evaluation of buildings, and design for sustainability and LCA techniques applied to buildings. The ENergy Saving through promotion of LIfe Cycle assessment in buildings (ENSLIC) methodology based on LCA for use in an integral planning process has been promoted to stakeholders who require a means to optimize the environmental performance of buildings. Feedback from the stakeholders has facilitated the creation of simplified LCA guidelines, a systematic approach guiding the user through the alternative options regarding software choices, their strengths and weaknesses, the databases available, the usefulness of different indicators, aggregation, definition of limits and options for simplifying the process. As a result, this paper presents the applied results of a case study where this methodology is implemented serving as an energy savings evaluation tool for decision makers, end-users, professionals involved in the different stages of construction, etc. Finally, it is demonstrated how LCA can facilitate comparisons between different buildings, showing the influence of all variables on a building’s life cycle environmental impact and showing the potential for energy savings. Removing market barriers to sustainable construction is actually stricter and this is good news for promoting higher energy efficiency in buildings.

Highlights

The construction sector has become one of the most intensive in the use of energy and raw materials
Global methodologies such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are very appropriate for evaluating the influence that decisions adopted in the design phase of a building related to the maintenance and associated operational costs have on the real environmental impact of the building and for identifying the influence of all the variables involved in the life cycle of a building [2]
The ENergy Saving through promotion of LIfe Cycle assessment in buildings (ENSLIC) Project, which was co-funded by the European Commission Intelligent Energy for Europe Programme and by nine European organizations that included more than 15 LCA experts and architects, sought to promote the use of LCA techniques in design for new buildings and for refurbishment, in order to achieve an energy saving in the construction and operation of buildings

Summary

Introduction

The construction sector has become one of the most intensive in the use of energy and raw materials. In order to identify opportunities for improving the environmental aspects associated with the construction sector over the complete life cycle of the building, i.e., production, construction, use and maintenance and final disposal, tools for assessment and decision-making are needed. Global methodologies such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are very appropriate for evaluating the influence that decisions adopted in the design phase of a building related to the maintenance and associated operational costs have on the real environmental impact of the building and for identifying the influence of all the variables involved in the life cycle of a building [2]. LCA allows us to compare the environmental impact of buildings located in different geographical zones or with different uses, for example [3]

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