Low and Zero Carbon Design Technology

This assignment examines the benefits of low and zero carbon design technologies for meeting growing energy demands while mitigating environmental impact. It delves into how these technologies facilitate renewable energy storage and utilization, promoting a shift away from traditional fossil fuels.

Running head: ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Summary
The report analyses the importance of utilizing Zero/low-carbon design technology to scale
the increasing greenhouse gas emission, which is the primary result of combustion of fossil
fuel. This leads to climate change and affecting social fabric and global economic
infrastructure. Therefore, many companies and nations are comprehending this technology to
be beneficial for investments as well as for their business. The technology focuses on
utilizing renewable energies and low carbon materials for constructing buildings. The process
of reusing and recycling the chemical wastes is also emphasised in this design.

2ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................1
Zero-carbon design technology..................................................................................................1
low carbon construction materials:........................................................................................1
Innovative construction process:............................................................................................2
Management of operative energy consumption and consumption behaviour:.......................2
Choice of renewable energy systems:....................................................................................3
Recycle and reuse...................................................................................................................3
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................3
References:.................................................................................................................................3

3ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Introduction:
The report aims to analyse the various aspects of Zero/low-carbon design technology.
This technology focuses on the transformation of the energy, agriculture, industry and
forestry systems to reduce the rising of carbon emissions. The pressing challenge of climate
change is addressed through such technologies and paves the way for achieving net zero
carbon emission society.
The report discusses the usage of low carbon materials in construction of zero carbon
buildings, innovative construction methods and method of management of energy
consumption. The design opts for renewable energy resources and reusing as well as
recycling of greenhouse gases.
Zero/low-carbon design technology
low carbon construction materials:
low carbon building products has been used in innovative constructions. These are
mainly recycled materials and by products.
Low-carbon bricks: this material has been implemented in mass production since
2009. Fly ash helps in reduction of embodied carbon that cane be found in normal bricks. it is
fine glass powder consisted of silica, alumina and iron. Fly ash is a by-product of burnt coal
from electricity production and is usually disposed after separation from flue gas (Allwood et
al. 2012)
Green concrete: The raw materials that are used to form the conventional concrete are
substituted with the recycled materials and by-products of industrial. granulated blast-furnace
slag and fly ash can substitute carbon intensive cement. Washed copper slag can substitute
sand and granite can be substituted by recycled granite.

4ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Green tiles: this is a ceramic material made of minerals and recycled glass. This
product transforms the waste glass to tiles that are used in building floors and cladding.
Recycled metals: the process of producing metal products is very carbon intensive.
This life cycle procedures of metal outcome can reduce energy consumptions (Williams et al.
2012). Repeated recycling of metals does not hamper the properties of the metals. Beside this
the metals can be re-melted and new products can be formed by re-moulding. For example,
shipping containers can be reused in building construction.
Innovative construction process:
In introducing energy efficiency improvement in constructing buildings, it involves in
forming the idea that the carbon emission through the supply chain can form a larger
proportion of that building's lifetime footprint (Cabeza et al. 2013) There are some methods
such as-
 Reduction of material quantity used
 Selection of materials, which are associated with low emissions factors for example
recycled materials
 Selection of material suppliers available near to the construction area
 Diversion of demolition wastes to recycling
 Management of carbon emission throughout the construction supply chains
 measuring the footprints of every product to identify the carbon intensive areas and
focusing the efforts on reduction carbon emission.
 building a carbon strategy as well as implementation plan (Verbong, Beemsterboer
and Sengers 2013).
 introducing plan for sustainability throughout the life of the building.

5ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Management of operative energy consumption and consumption behaviour:
In zero carbon design of a building, the energy consumption is reduced through
building construction strategies. The sustainable designing of building construction includes-
1. air tightness
2. replacement and upgradation of window that help in high level of insulation
3. maximisation of natural ventilation by using openable windows that will both reduce
overheating and increase ventilation.
4. Use of solar shading and controlled glazing to reduce solar gains
5. Reduction of artificial lighting.
Energy efficiency can be increased by using energy efficient lighting, underfloor
heating, creating management system to monitor lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation.
The renewable energy generation can help in management of operative energy consumption
(De Jong et al. 2015). The zero carbon design technology aims to produce same quantity of
energy that is consumed. It can be applied in all new as well as existing buildings. It can be
also applied on the buildings those have limited on-site renewable energy capacity like the
buildings having dense urban setting. Thus the design offers net zero energy property and
eliminates energy bills. Concerns of increasing energy wastes and carbon emission reduction
are fast growing among the consumers therefore, the developers are also taking interest in
building such constructions (Shafiei and Salim 2014). The prices of zero energy model homes
are marginally higher than its normal counterparts but its energy saving concept has created
the platform for a fast growing market.
Choice of renewable energy systems:
Many institutions and companies are viewing green electricity or powers from
renewable energy sources the best way to reduce atmospheric impacts of their activities. It is

6ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
a complex issue to determine that which renewable energy resource will be more beneficial
on climate change, which includes political as well as environmental aspects (Budzianowski
2012). Low carbon power is a technology or process that produces power with emitting lesser
amounts of carbon dioxide than that of conventional fossil fuel power generation. The zero or
low carbon design technology includes such as solar power, wind
power, hydropower and nuclear power as low carbon power generation sources. . It also
includes fuel preparation and decommissioning. The design excludes fossil fuel plant sources
but describes a particular subset of operating conventional power systems, which are
successfully coupled with a flue gas carbon capture and storage system.
Recycle and reuse:
The petrochemical sector and chemical sector are the largest energy user. They are
accountable for 10% of total energy demand and 7% greenhouse gas emission. 95%v
manufactured products depend on chemical and petrochemical industry (Tavoni et al. 2012).
The chemical technologies as well as products are used in energy saving appliances therefore
these industries also have important role in saving greenhouse gas or carbon emission. These
are used in insulation, lighter materials of automobiles, efficient lighting and
advanced products for renewable technologies (Aresta 2013). The scientists
therefore are currently working on identifying the methods of scaling up
carbon reductions in the chemical industries and increase the reuse on
greenhouse gases.
The technologies chiefly focus on carbon dioxide conversion. To the
researchers, CO2 reduction has posed a great challenge because of its
molecular inertness. The usage of Nano needles helps to attract CO2 and
speeds up reduction of carbon mono oxide (Leung, Caramanna and Maroto-Valer
2014). The low or zero carbon technology offers a considerable way to

7ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
produce renewable as well as carbon neutral fuels by recycling CO2 to
Dimethyl Ether and Methanol.
Conclusion:
Therefore, form the above analysis it can be deducted that the low and zero carbon
design technology addresses both the problems of mounting energy need as well as solving
energy challenges. The technology opens up possibilities of storing the alternative energies
and increased usage of renewable energies such as wind and solar energies instead of
conventional fossil fuel power generation.

8ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
References:
Allwood, J.M., Cullen, J.M., Carruth, M.A., Cooper, D.R., McBrien, M., Milford, R.L.,
Moynihan, M.C. and Patel, A.C., 2012. Sustainable materials: with both eyes open (p. 384).
Cambridge: UIT Cambridge.
Aresta, M. ed., 2013. Carbon dioxide recovery and utilization. Springer Science & Business
Media.
Budzianowski, W.M., 2012. Negative carbon intensity of renewable energy technologies
involving biomass or carbon dioxide as inputs. Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Reviews, 16(9), pp.6507-6521.
Cabeza, L.F., Barreneche, C., Miró, L., Morera, J.M., Bartolí, E. and Fernández, A.I., 2013.
Low carbon and low embodied energy materials in buildings: A review. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 23, pp.536-542.
De Jong, M., Joss, S., Schraven, D., Zhan, C. and Weijnen, M., 2015. Sustainable–smart–
resilient–low carbon–eco–knowledge cities; making sense of a multitude of concepts
promoting sustainable urbanization. Journal of Cleaner production, 109, pp.25-38.
Leung, D.Y., Caramanna, G. and Maroto-Valer, M.M., 2014. An overview of current status
of carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Reviews, 39, pp.426-443.
Shafiei, S. and Salim, R.A., 2014. Non-renewable and renewable energy consumption and
CO 2 emissions in OECD countries: a comparative analysis. Energy Policy, 66, pp.547-556.
Tavoni, M., De Cian, E., Luderer, G., Steckel, J.C. and Waisman, H., 2012. The value of
technology and of its evolution towards a low carbon economy. Climatic Change, 114(1),
pp.39-57.

9ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Verbong, G.P., Beemsterboer, S. and Sengers, F., 2013. Smart grids or smart users?
Involving users in developing a low carbon electricity economy. Energy Policy, 52, pp.117-
125.
Williams, J.H., DeBenedictis, A., Ghanadan, R., Mahone, A., Moore, J., Morrow, W.R.,
Price, S. and Torn, M.S., 2012. The technology path to deep greenhouse gas emissions cuts
by 2050: the pivotal role of electricity. science, 335(6064), pp.53-59.