Analysis of Energy Consumption and Efficiency in Buildings Report

This report provides a detailed analysis of energy consumption and efficiency in buildings, with a specific focus on the Grangegorman campus. It examines various strategies for enhancing energy efficiency, including the use of local and recycled materials, low-density products, and durable building materials. The report also highlights strategies for improving energy, carbon, and climate change, water conservation, biodiversity incorporation, and waste management. Furthermore, it discusses the role of building materials in enhancing energy efficiency and relevant government regulations, such as the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 and the Building Energy Rating (BER) system. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate building materials and implementing sustainable practices to improve energy efficiency in buildings. The Grangegorman campus is used as a case study, with its initiatives and future plans to enhance energy efficiency being highlighted throughout the report.

Running head: GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS ENERGY USE IN BUILDING
Global Warming Affects Energy Use in Building
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS ENERGY USE IN BUILDING
Executive Summary
In recent times, energy efficient buildings are preferred so that I can less affect the environment.
Thus, builders plan for effective factors that can improve the energy efficiency of the buildings.
In this business report the case study of Grangegorman campus has been considered. The
building is planned for sustainable energy approaches and focused on many themes like energy,
carbon and climate change, water conservation, biodiversity, waste, transport, construction,
health and wellbeing, community relations, sustainable governance and sustainability education.
The report also highlighted the plan and strategy this campus has been applied in order to make
the building energy efficient.

2GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS ENERGY USE IN BUILDING
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................3
2.0 Discussion..................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Analysis of energy consumption in buildings.......................................................................3
2.2 Different strategies for enhancing energy efficiency.............................................................4
2.2.1 Factors for enhancing energy efficiency.........................................................................4
2.2.2 Strategy for improving energy, carbon and climate change...........................................5
2.2.3 Water conservation strategy...........................................................................................5
2.2.4 Strategy of incorporating biodiversity............................................................................6
2.2.5 Waste management strategy...........................................................................................6
2.3 Role of building materials in enhancing energy efficiency including government
regulations....................................................................................................................................6
3.0 Conclusion.........................................................................................................................8
4.0 Reference List............................................................................................................................9

3GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS ENERGY USE IN BUILDING
1.0 Introduction
The report of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the year 2014, the
buildings accounted for 35% of the total number of final energy consumption and consumed
59% of the electricity (1). These energy needs for these buildings are different and comprised of
34% of oil, 26% of electricity, 21% of natural gas, 9% of coal, 8% of peat and 2% of renewable
source of energy (1). However, in recent times, the energy efficiency is measured in terms of
buildings so that it cannot affect the environment.
The organization that is considered is Grangegorman campus and his report will highlight
the energy consumption in the building which includes the most used type of energy, the use of
these energy sources. This report will also represent the energy efficiency of the selected
business building and the material used for enhancing energy efficiency. The report will also be
supported with the government regulations and policy strategies. Furthermore, the role of
retrofitting and the retrofit scheme, building energy ratings, better energy warmer homes scheme
and optimizing power at work will also be addressed.
2.0 Discussion
2.1 Analysis of energy consumption in buildings
Residential or corporate buildings need energy consumption in electricity, ventilation, Air
Tightness, air conditioners and water usage. In Ireland, it is found that 26% and 18% of the total
energy consumed by the residential and commercial/public sector respectively (2). Non-
residential building consumes more energy than the residential areas as it has more floors and
more electronic equipment to use by the people (3). It is also found that increase in the energy

4GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS ENERGY USE IN BUILDING
consumption has been increased due to space conditioning and lighting and Information
Technology (IT) (2). In traditional times, use of oil is mostly used for energy consumption but
that has been replaced by the electricity and thus, according to the 2008 data it has been found
that the demand of the oil has been reduced by 52% while the consumption of the gas and
electricity has been increased by 130% and 91% respectively (4).
In case of Grangegorman Urban Quarter the energy consumption is planned to reduce in
the zero carbon strategy by the year 2050 (5). This campus is also focusing on the usage of 60%
of main water lesser by 60% along with the development of biodiversity inside the campus (5).
This building is also planned for incorporating effective waste management, transport
management, and construction process (5). Planning for sustainable governance, sustainability
education and community relations is also taken into consideration as this process will help in
generating awareness among the community people to consume lesser energy and select those
products that is energy efficient.
2.2 Different strategies for enhancing energy efficiency
2.2.1 Factors for enhancing energy efficiency
Building constructions for enhancing the energy efficiency depends on some factors and
these factors are- use of local materials, recycled resources, low density products through
industrial processes, materials from renewable energy resource and durable building materials
(6). One of the greatest factors that affect the constructions’ energy efficiency and economical
cost is the transportation cost that is used (7). Thus, one of the strategies is to use local materials
so that it is easy to get all the required products in lower energy consumption. In addition to that,
preservation of raw material can be obtained if recycles sources is considered. This process is

5GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS ENERGY USE IN BUILDING
beneficial in reducing the embodied energy and the use of recyclable metals if used resulted in
saving of 40% to 90% of electricity consumption (6). An argument is presented that some
building materials are also produced through low density industrial processes and these products
also save energy (7). Expansion of steel, expanded foam insulation, aluminum, cement and glass
through high temperature processes are also used in making the building materials. Instead of
using bricks, builders uses adobe brick that is dried using the solar power and helps in
consuming more electricity (8). Lastly, Use of durable materials helps in making the building
more resistant and long-lasting. These materials will also help in delaying or avoiding the
maintenance and need of renewing material. The indicators in this case for the Grangegorman
Urban Quarter campus are investigating Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and
development of Construction Waste Management Plan (CWMP).
2.2.2 Strategy for improving energy, carbon and climate change
The Grangegorma campus also implemented the strategy for improving the energy,
carbon and climate change. The indicators that they have been planned are for enhancing the
natural ventilation and minimize the mechanical ventilation energy consumption (9). The
building in the campus is also planned for designing the embodied energy and carbon footprint
so as to reduce the energy consumption. All the old global warming potential of insulation and
refrigerants materials has been planned to replace through energy efficient products (9). The
building is also equipped by high efficient lighting systems and it provides many areas where
electric car charging facility will be provided.
2.2.3 Water conservation strategy
The main water consumption has been planned to enhance along with the process of
reusing of grey-water and rain-water. The main target is to use zero net mains water by 2050 (9).

6GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS ENERGY USE IN BUILDING
This will be attained through implementing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) in the
campus, extention of greywater infrastructure in each building, installing greywater systems and
water leak detection systems, monitoring water usage for each residents and lastly installing sub-
meters on water consuming equipment (9).
2.2.4 Strategy of incorporating biodiversity
In order to achieve good practice in Biodiversity, the Grangegorman campus is designed
according to GDA Biodiversity Management Plan. Biodiversity Coordination and Biodiversity
Enhancement can also be implemented through site specific biodiversity management plan (9).
Moreover retaining of the existing trees on site and maintaining landscaping maintenance
regime can also improve the biodiversity implementation strategy.
2.2.5 Waste management strategy
Three strategies that has been planned are- recycling of waste, organic waste and
incorporation of building level waste management. This strategy is also equipped by
incorporating appropriate recycling bins and developing waste management plan.
2.3 Role of building materials in enhancing energy efficiency including government
regulations
The factor that plays an effective role in determining the energy efficiency of
construction materials is materials used in construction in the life cycle of the building. Thus, it
is important to select the material at the beginning of the building construction and energy
consumed during the life cycle process of the building material. Thus, in order to incorporate all
the above strategies in developing buildings, government have developed many regulations like-
Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, Energy Act 2006 and Electricity Regulation Act

7GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS ENERGY USE IN BUILDING
1999 (10). All the building made in the concerned campus in relation to natural gas and
electricity must have hold the license under section 16(1)(a) of the Act of 2002 and section 14(1)
(b) or (h) of the Act of 1999 respectively (10). The building is also incorporated with the
technology of “smart metering system” and “intelligent metering system” which helps in
measuring the energy consumption which shows accurate data than the conventional meter.
Moreover, the building energy rating is also a main factor that needs to be evaluated in
order measure the energy effectiveness of a building. Thus, according to the European Union
Regulations 2012, Building Energy Rating (BER) is important. The certificate gives the rating of
the building on the scale of A to G. According to this scale, most energy efficient homes are A-
rated and these buildings tend to have lesser electricity bills; whereas, G-rated homes are least
rated (11). The concerned campus is registered to SEAI and they on the other hand organize
BER assessment of the building developed in this campus. The apartments present in the campus
have estimated the annual cost of the homes that are rated in the scale of A to G. All the
buildings in the concerned campus are A to D rated so that they can consume less energy.

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Image: annual fuel costs are based on rating of homes
(Source: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland)
3.0 Conclusion
The report highlighted the importance of selection of building materials that is used to
measure the energy efficiency of the building. It has been found that stating from the
construction of the building to the entire life cycle of the campus, the materials used for
developing the building plays an important role. The considered campus is Grangegorman
campus and it has taken many initiatives and developed future plans to improve the energy
efficiency of the campus. The factors for enhancing energy efficiency are identified as use of
local materials, recycled resources, low density products through industrial processes, materials
from renewable energy resource and durable building materials. It is also found from the
business report is that the concern campus incorporated strategy for improving energy, carbon
and climate change, water conservation strategy, incorporating biodiversity, waste management
strategy. There are many government regulations that is followed in developing energy efficient
buildings. These regulations are Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, Energy Act 2006
and Electricity Regulation Act 1999. The buildings are also equipped by smart metering system,
intelligent metering system and have A to D graded Building Energy Rating in their campus.

9GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS ENERGY USE IN BUILDING
4.0 Reference List
1. Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Seai.ie. 2018 [cited 15 March 2018]. Available from:
https://www.seai.ie/resources/publications/Energy-Efficiency-in-Ireland-2016-Report.pdf
2. Navarro L, de Gracia A, Colclough S, Browne M, McCormack SJ, Griffiths P, Cabeza LF.
Thermal energy storage in building integrated thermal systems: A review. Part 1. active storage
systems. Renewable Energy. 2016 Apr 1;88:526-47.
3. Gul MS, Patidar S. Understanding the energy consumption and occupancy of a multi-purpose
academic building. Energy and Buildings. 2015 Jan 1;87:155-65.
4. Cao X, Dai X, Liu J. Building energy-consumption status worldwide and the state-of-the-art
technologies for zero-energy buildings during the past decade. Energy and buildings. 2016 Sep
15;128:198-213.
5. Grangegorman campus. Ggda.ie. 2018 [cited 15 March 2018]. Available from:
http://ggda.ie/assets/GG_Sustainability_Strategy_Oct_11.pdf
6. Reddy TA, Kreider JF, Curtiss PS, Rabl A. Heating and Cooling of Buildings: Principles and
Practice of Energy Efficient Design. CRC Press; 2016 Sep 1.
7. de Gracia A, Cabeza LF. Phase change materials and thermal energy storage for buildings.
Energy and Buildings. 2015 Sep 15;103:414-9.
8. Cabeza LF, Rincón L, Vilariño V, Pérez G, Castell A. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life
cycle energy analysis (LCEA) of buildings and the building sector: A review. Renewable and
sustainable energy reviews. 2014 Jan 1;29:394-416.

10GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS ENERGY USE IN BUILDING
9. Grangegorman-Challenges and opportunities of a sustainable urban campus. Dit.ie. 2018
[cited 15 March 2018]. Available from:
http://www.dit.ie/media/grangegorman/documents/learninggrangegorman/
DT117%20Grangegorman%20Sustainable%20Urban%20Campus%20Feb%202014.pdf
10. European Union (Energy Efficiency) Regulations 2014. Irishstatutebook.ie. 2018 [cited 15
March 2018]. Available from: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2014/si/426/made/en/pdf
11. Building Energy Rating Certificate (BER) | SEAI [Internet]. Sustainable Energy Authority
Of Ireland | SEAI. 2018 [cited 15 March 2018]. Available from: https://www.seai.ie/energy-
ratings/building-energy-rating-ber/