Public Service Buildings Research Articles

Energy analysis of Jordan's commercial sector

This article presents some insight into energy consumption in the commercial and public service sector (CAPSS) in Jordan. In this sector, space- and water-heating is dependent particularly upon the combustion of fossil fuels. Which thereby contribute significantly to air pollution and the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The results of a recent survey were used to evaluate the energy demand of the commercial and public service buildings. Diesel fuel, LPG and kerosene are mainly used for space heating, with diesel being the most popular fuel followed by LPG. Unvented combustion appliances, i.e. portable kerosene and LPG heaters, are still employed in this sector in order to provide space heating in unclassified hotels, some clinics and health centres as well as retail shops. These stoves, usually, produce high levels of combustion by-products that often exceed acceptable limits especially in a closed space. Consequently, the indoor air quality is degraded and may cause unnecessary exposure to toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. Electricity consumption is relatively high due to the excessive lighting and heavy use of air-conditioning and ventilation systems during the dry and hot summer. It is estimated that about 15% of the annual consumption in CAPSS can be reduced annually with little investment. Consequently the corresponding annual CO 2 emissions reduction is approximately 1%, i.e. 160×10 3 tons, of the present total greenhouse gas emissions in Jordan.

Purchased-energy consumptions in Jordan's commercial and public-service sector

Space-and-water heating in the commercial sector is achieved in Jordan primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels, and so contributes significantly to air pollution and the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The results of a recent survey were used to evaluate the energy demands of the commercial and public-service buildings. In sequence of decreasing popularity, diesel fuel, kerosene and LPG are the main sources of energy for space heating. Unfortunately unvented combustion-appliances, e.g. portable kerosene and LPG stoves, are too often still employed for this purpose in unclassified hotels, some clinics and health centres as well as retail shops. These stoves emit high rates of combustion by-products that result in excessive pollution, in enclosed spaces, of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide. Electricity consumption is relatively high due to the excessive lighting-demands and the use of air-conditioning and ventilation systems to compensate for the dry climate and high temperatures during summer. Due to the lack of available information about the energy-consumption performances of commercial buildings, detailed energy audits should be conducted with the aim of identifying the most applicable energy-effective measures. However, preliminary estimates showed that about 50×10 3 toe of the annual consumption in Jordan can be saved with little investment: the corresponding annual CO 2 emissions reduction would be approximately 160×10 3 tonnes.

Underground—and the City of the Future

IN the Beama journal of November reference is made to Le Corbusier's city of the future consisting of dwellings, offices, and factories contained in huge blocks separated by gardens. One of the main features of this modern city is the large part of its activity which takes place underground. Power stations, garages, warehouses and other public service buildings, as well as traffic routes for vehicles and pedestrians, would be constructed in this way. Already there exists a plan for the diversion of a large part of the Paris traffic, the underground routes for which were examined by the Minister of Public Works some years ago. Électricité published a report on this subject by M. Roger d'Arboville, professor of applied electricity in the well-known École spéciale d'Architecture, on the lighting of underground traffic and pedestrian routes. He reviews the practice exemplified in some of the short subways in Paris, in the long road tunnel projected for 1941 under the Meuse, the mile-long roadway under the Eseaut at Antwerp and various railway tunnels in France and England.