zero carbon isn’t really zero: why embodied carbon in materials can’t be ignored
DESCRIPTION
A Design Intelligence webinar provided by Arup consultants focusing on environmentally sustainable building design. The webinar is based on a web article authored by Frances Yang and Engin Ayaz. http://www.di.net/articles/archive/zero_carbon/TRANSCRIPT
Zero Carbon Isn’t Really Zero[ Why Embodied Carbon in Materials Can’t Be Ignored ]
Webinar: Tuesday, Nov 10 2009, 1pm ET / 10am PT
Total Embodied vs. Operational Carbon for 60 year building lifecycle
1: Baseline 2: Efficiency 3: Clean Power 4a: Refurb 4b: Rebuild
Presenters
Scott Simpson
Design Futures Council Senior Fellow & Contributing Editor
Design IntelligenceCambridge, MA
Fiona Cousins
Principal
ArupNew York, NY
Engin Ayaz
Energy and Resources Consultant
ArupSan Francisco, CA
Frances Yang
Structures and Materials Specialist
ArupSan Francisco, CA
AttendeePollfor the Design Intelligence/ Arup conference about “Embodied Carbon in Buildings.”
Based on actual attendance data
Locations and professions are approximated
Data: Stephanie WhittakerGraphics: Engin Ayaz
Hawaii
Sydney, Aus
architect /
designer engineer
researchercontractor
unknownfacilities manager
PROFESSIONS
LOCATIONS
London
SUMMARY
80 people registered
57 people attended
17 Arup people registered
10 Arup people attended
global | integrated | employee-owned | multidisciplinary
10,000 Staff in 92 Offices
Background of Arup
Principal Fields of Activity in the USStructural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Plumbing Engineering
Fire Engineering + Life Safety
Sustainability
Civil Engineering
Façade Engineering
Energy
Infrastructure Planning
Transportation Planning
Traffic Engineering
Communications / IT Consulting
Acoustics / Vibration Consulting
Audiovisual Consulting
Master Planning
Security / Risk Assessment
Building Energy Assessment
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Environmental Consulting
Agenda
ARUP SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS DESIGN FRAMEWORKOn every project we aim to help our clients imagine how their buildings might be:
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A closer look at life-cycle thinking
Extraction
Manufacturing & Transport
Design & Construction
Operations & Maintenance
Renovation, Demolition, Recycling & Reuse
OPERATIONAL
EMBODIED
Definitions
Building Embodied Energy = f (Material Energy, Lifespan, Refurbishment)
Building Embodied CO2 = f (Material Energy, Lifespan, Refurbishment + Energy Source + Chemical Processes + Transport Fuel Type)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:06_Contes_cimenterie.jpg
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http://concreteloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/gasoline1.jpg
Global Statistics
Energy CO2
Impacts
Boundary for Environmental Footprinting
increasing complexity
Embodied in materialsthroughout lifecycle
Transport (People & Logistics)
Water
Waste
Operational Electricity & Gas Consumption
CO2e(All GHGs)
Other Environmental
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Zero Energy / Carbon Definition
increasingcomprehensiveness
Our Study
Energy CO2
Impacts
Boundary for Environmental Footprinting
Embodied in materialsthroughout lifecycle
Transport (People & Logistics)
Water
Waste
Operational Electricity & Gas Consumption
CO2e(All GHGs)
Other Environmental
© Arup
Zero Energy / Carbon Definition
Energy CO2
Impacts
Boundary for Environmental Footprinting
Embodied in materialsthroughout lifecycle
Transport (People & Logistics)
Water
Waste
Operational Electricity & Gas Consumption
CO2e(All GHGs)
Other Environmental
© Arup
Zero Energy / Carbon Definition
Emb
Op
US & CAN
Webster
Cole & Kernan
Athena
Build Carbon Neutral
UK
Eaton & Amato
Simon Group
Past Studies
Embodied energy is 9-12% of 60 yr life-cycle energy demand
Embodied energy is 2-22% of 50 yr life-cycle energy demand
Embodied carbon is 13-18% of 66 yr life-cycle carbon emissions
Up to 80% of the life-cycle carbon emissions is embodied carbon
Embodied energy is 4-9% of 50 yr life-cycle energy
Embodied carbon is 37-43% of 60 yr life-cycle carbon emissions
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Case Studyfo
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asel
ine
Color Legend: Embodied vs. Operational
Line chart:To compare whole-life carbon emissions trends across 60 year lifecycle
Doughnut chart: To compare the aggregated carbon emissions at the end of 60 years
1: Baseline 2: Efficiency 3: Clean Power 4a: Refurb 4b: Rebuild
The tool behind it
“EVOCE: Embodied vs Operational Carbon Emissions” Tool, developed by Arup
Case 1: Baseline
Typical mid-rise office bldg, 60 year lifespan, ASHRAE 2004 baseline
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Case 2: Energy Efficiency
Max LEED EA points – 50% energy reduction
Source: CPUC Energy Efficiency Plan
Source: ASHRAE
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Case 3: Clean Power
30% more renewables (on-site, grid, offsets)
Source: Pew
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Case 4a: Refurbish
Replacement of mechanical systems, façades, and finishes at 30th year
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Case 4b: Rebuild
Demolition and rebuild at 30th year
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Our Conclusion
Embodied carbon is 11-50% of 60 yr life-cycle emissions
1: Baseline 2: Efficiency 3: Clean Power 4a: Refurb 4b: Rebuild
Wider Context
Future flexibility
High-performancedesign
Design forDeconstruction
Infrastructure
Site
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Make use of existing building; Reduce total built area
Long-lasting, weatherproof, disaster-resilient systems; Adaptable, flexible space
Reclaimed and recycled content; Rapidly renewable and local/regional materials
Built-in source separation, chutes; Favor take-back schemes
Outreach to occupants; Purchasing policies & waste contracts
Proposed Overall Approach
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Load reduction, efficiency, renewables
Questions?Thanks…
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