Climate change has prompted plenty of people to ask themselves what they can do to slow down this rapidly deteriorating crisis. Until not long ago, there were very few answers. Thankfully, as society grows and technology expands, more and more innovative and efficient energy solutions are developed. In this article, we explore how the construction industry can benefit from some of these solutions.
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Residential and commercial construction projects use energy every day. In 2021, the industry was responsible for 37% of all process-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Builders have a big responsibility in adopting and implementing more sustainable building options. However, it is also essential to conjure up demand. And if consumers start seeking more sustainable energy solutions from companies, they will directly contribute to boosting their development.
Best Energy Solutions for Construction
Some energy solutions have already been deployed, while others are still in the works. It’s best to be aware of both and to seek what’s available for your future construction endeavors.
1. Integrative Design
The primary energy solution most builders utilize is turning to renewable sources. Solar, wind, and other types of clean energy are sustainable alternatives that can lessen dependence on conventional resources. However, there is also the matter of embodied energy, which accounts for all the resources used to produce a material or product.
The concept of integrative design is a good energy solution that focuses on utilizing available tools more efficiently. This technique applies to other sectors like transport, but construction can also take note of this.
For instance, having a proper pipe layout and installation in a home is a better alternative to using a different duct system. Pipes are smaller in diameter than other tube options, so they are more efficient in transferring hot or cold air through the building. Doing this can save an estimated 97% of pumping energy and can contribute to conserve a staggering one-fifth of global electricity.
Another example is concrete. Heating and cooling cement requires plenty of energy and water. The traditional method of mixing one ton of cement can produce one ton of carbon dioxide. It is possible to avoid this by opting for other structures like permanent wood foundations.
2. Prefabricated Materials
Prefabricated materials are a good energy solution already available on the market. It allows reusing construction materials that would otherwise go to the landfill. It also eliminates going overboard with your resources since everything is already precalculated.
The construction process for prefabricated buildings like manufactured homes goes by quickly. Creating prefabricated structures generates 15.38% less waste than other construction forms. It is certainly a worthy option for walls, roofing, or even a whole building.
Prefabricated buildings can also work in tandem with other forms of renewable energy, for example by integrating biomass energy through organic materials like wood pellets and agricultural remnants. Doing so can further lower the carbon footprint of the construction process.
In the US, manufactured housing has reached almost every state. Texas leads with 556,611 units, while North Carolina records 318,752. The growing demand for prefabricated buildings is mostly attributed to increased house prices and mortgage rates.
3. Dynamic Gas Blending
Dynamic gas blending is an engine design that helps builders run machinery on a combination of diesel and natural gas. This technology enables you to get the best of both fuels while minimizing emissions as much as possible.
Plus, the engine operates like a pure diesel engine, so there’s not much of a learning curve in implementation. However, the main appeal of adopting dynamic gas blending is the ability to use other fuel sources.
For example, flare gas only produces 1% of manufactured carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions worldwide. Flaring or letting it break can do more harm than good, so it is best to adopt dynamic gas blending into construction processes. Utilizing it for your operation and combining it with another gas can lessen the overall environmental impact.
4. Solar Fuel Production
Solar energy is at the top of the list for renewable energy. Solar thermal technology is a popular approach, and it’s also used as an alternative to electricity in many homes and businesses. While many are shifting to solar energy use, it’s natural to start wondering what is next: solar fuel production.
Solar fuel production is the process of harnessing sunlight energy and converting it into liquid fuels with water and carbon dioxide. The solar energy hitting the Earth’s surface in an hour can support global energy consumption for a whole year, so this method can lessen reliance on diesel and other harmful gases.
While the concept is still being refined, solar fuel production’s impact on the construction and manufacturing sector seems promising. Many contractors use kerosene to power up construction equipment. It can also provide heating and lighting on work sites.
While kerosene is quite valuable, it comes from petroleum and produces emissions. Solar fuel can serve as a green replacement for that. It can also substitute hydrocarbons like methane and ethanol. Finding and employing these renewable alternatives is key to minimizing reliance on fossil fuels in the long run.
Ideally, solar fuel can be a jumping point for even more efficient energy storage systems. The Department of Energy says the ability to store the fuels for months or longer and transport them anywhere in the world makes the resource valuable.
5. Green Hydrogen Systems
Green hydrogen utilizes electrolysis, which breaks down water particles to extract hydrogen energy. The output is similar to gray hydrogen, though the latter uses fossil fuels to break down particles, resulting in 830 million metric tons of emissions annually.
Green hydrogen is a renewable resource produced without pollution. Australia is seeking to become a leading exporter in Asia due to its climate and strong capabilities to generate this type of energy, with its government investing A$525 million (US$347 million) to develop eight hydrogen hubs across the country.
On an industrial level, electric vehicle production and mining are set to utilize green hydrogen systems. Hyundai has pledged to manufacture 500,000 hydrogen vehicles with fuel cell technology by 2030. Essentially, cars will run on compressed clean hydrogen tanks rather than just operating on electricity.
You might also like: All You Need to Know About Green Hydrogen
6. Airborne Wind Energy
Wind turbines are the most common way to harness this energy source, but they can be challenging to use in areas lacking space. This dilemma sparks the innovation of an airborne wind energy system, power generation that’s done suspended in the air.
Most airborne wind power devices fly in a crosswind or transverse direction. Their design allows them to navigate altitudes of 200 meters (656 feet) and above. Some variations, like aerofoil kites, can stay connected to a stationary turbine, supplying it with the collected energy. Airborne wind energy systems can also generate power on board an aircraft.
According to the DOE, this system can harvest as much energy as ground-based turbines. However, they highlight that the technology still needs further development. University of Delaware Center for Research in Wind (CReW) director Cristina Archer says that while this type of energy will not replace conventional wind turbines, it can help with smaller operations, like powering remote islands.
7. Geothermal Heat Pump
Another form of renewable energy that can be helpful with the building process is integrating a geothermal heat pump. Space heating accounted for 42% of energy consumption in the residential sector, with most households dependent on natural gas.
Geothermal energy is a renewable heating source that combats that dependency. The area below the earth offers a great heat source, and households can utilize it to change the temperatures of their homes.
Utilizing geothermal heat pumps is recommended for new buildings, but they can be retroactively added to existing structures to maximize heating efficiency. According to DOE, this can decarbonize heating and cooling and avoid 24,500 grid transmission line miles by 2050.
Participate in the Change
The variety of available energy solutions means society is actively seeking sustainability. Join the cause by looking into different methods and staying updated on these projects. It is possible to make a difference, one shift at a time.
Featured image: Steele Rutherford/Unsplash
