CONSTRUCTION METHODS

Sustainable Construction Methods



Sustainable Construction Methods

Introduction

A net zero energy building or zero energy building (ZEB) is a universal word that is enforced to utilize a building with zero net energy consumption and zero emissions of carbon a year. Zero energy buildings can be used independently of the network source of energy. Zero fossil energy consumption principle is gaining interest as renewable energy crop is a means to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The key issue is the sustainability and use of renewable technologies and the way it has become important in the field of construction. The engineers who are involved in the construction of the non-domestic buildings are taking care of the important factor which carries immense value. It becomes necessary to ensure sustainability in the construction of the buildings. The safety of non-domestic building will be the first priority for any construction builder. There can be no compromise on this particular factor. Therefore, the sustainability in the construction of non-domestic buildings will be one of the major requirements of the people. (Argiriou, 2000, pp. 811-820)

A graph of a zero-carbon building that will occur in the future:

The second graph of a zero-carbon building:

Net energy consumption close to zero

Many initiatives, including the ENERGY STAR program of the agency to protect the environment and the UK LEED rating system must be followed to promote the improvement of energy efficiency in buildings, usually expressed as a percentage (20% more efficient than conventional buildings or 40% more efficient than other commercial buildings). Such improvements can save energy and reduce environmental impact, but they do not have the simplicity or the ambitious vision of an ultimate goal of a consumer "no." In addition, they do not guarantee sustainable development, because the increase in the number of buildings still results in burning fossil fuels and excessive production of greenhouse gases in the long term. (Argiriou, 2004, pp. 427-440)

As part of energy efficiency and sustainable development, the buildings that consume zero net energy (ZEB, net zero energy building) is an ultimate goal. ZEB building is a building for residential or commercial whose total net energy consumption from non-renewable sources (e.g. public grid, natural gas and fuel oil) is zero. These buildings are eco-efficient as renewable energy generated on their site is almost enough. They typically use the public grid at times of the year when the renewable energy generation is insufficient to meet demand. But at other times, on-site generation is greater than the needs of the building and the surplus electricity is exported to the grid. Over a year, total consumption of electricity from the public network is compensated by the surplus generated. There are limited but growing ZEB buildings in the world, and policies including programs are seeing the day to obtain their adoption by the majority. (Athienitis, 1994, pp. 1024-1030)

The overall development of low carbon buildings in other countries

UK will take the lead as a pioneer in the fight against climate change. The plan for transition to low carbon by ...