Going Green in the Construction Industry The construction industry is going through a major change. As it becomes more and more popular to go green, companies are bringing in more and more new and innovative products. These products are helping businesses in many different ways. For example, there are now IoT products on the market that help companies to maintain their buildings.
Embedded carbon
Embodied carbon, also known as the ‘carbon footprint’ of a material, can be an extremely important consideration in the design and construction of a new building. Although the term is often used to describe emissions from the operational phase of a building, it can be used to encompass all stages of a building’s life.
Embedded carbon
in the construction industry is gaining increasing attention from environmental, social and governance (ESG) investors. They are looking for evidence of green credentials, such as the energy efficiency of a new construction project, as well as its overall embodied carbon impact.
For example, consider how the initial embodied carbon is linked to the manufacturing of materials, the transport of those materials to the jobsite, and the impacts of using them. This can be quantified by a life cycle assessment. The data can be found in a free online database, the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator, available at the Bath Inventory of Carbon and Energy.
Some of the most common
embodied carbon reduction measures are to choose materials that are more resilient to damage. This can save on repair, maintenance, and capital expenditure costs. In addition, choosing resilient materials can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The first step to a full-scale embodied carbon reduction is to quantify and account for all sources of emissions, including the life-cycle of the building. A comprehensive life-cycle assessment can help designers achieve the most effective solution.
For instance, a team at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) is working on a way to repurpose wood scraps for construction. Its “self-healing” concrete substitute can remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
The industry is asking tasked with delivering net-zero carbon buildings by 2050. The Buy Clean Initiative will accelerate the use of low-carbon building materials, boosting the national demand for such materials. To do this, the Federal Highway Administration will provide funding for low-embodied-carbon construction materials as part of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act projects.
Alternative energy sources
The construction industry is an important source of greenhouse gas emissions. Using alternative energy sources may help improve the carbon footprint of this sector.
A new generation of renewable power sources is being developed for the construction industry. These are considered clean, safe, and cost-effective. Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, and hydropower.
Hydropower has been one of the most commonly used renewable electricity sources until now. However, it is difficult to integrate into the design of a building.
Construction sites use a large
amount of energy to run equipment and machinery, as well as heating, air conditioning, and lighting systems. Electric tools and trucks also contribute to the industry’s carbon footprint.
Solar and wind power are the fastest growing power sources. They can provide much-needed electricity for construction projects. As the infrastructure for these technologies expands, more crews will be able to use them.
Hydrogen fuel cells are another emerging renewable energy source. They are ideal for temporary building sites.
The construction industry
can utilize renewable energy sources to reduce its carbon footprint and improve its profitability. Developing a transition to green energy can be a cost-effective and easy process.
Solar energy is the most widely used renewable energy source in the United States. In 2020, it contributed 3.3 percent of the country’s total electricity generation.
Wind power has become increasingly popular in the United States. Approximately 60,000 turbines are located in the U.S. One of the newest technologies, fuel cell excavators, is on the market. It can replace gas generators and eliminate on-site emissions.
Hydroelectric plants are also an abundant renewable energy facility. These plants are great for flood control and consistent water supply.
Waste bio-materials
The construction industry can take advantage of bio-materials to increase its performance and durability. Some examples include bio-lipids, bio-polymers, and biodegradable polymers. They are also a way to increase recycling of organic waste.
These materials can be used to improve the properties of concrete. One application is packaging. It can be made from a variety of waste including cardboard, plastic, metal, and more.
Another is the use of bio-polymers
such as polylactic acid, to make bioplastic films. This can replace petroleum as the primary production feedstock.
Biomaterials can be a part of a circular bioeconomy, which is a system of economic production that uses raw materials in an efficient way. Using these materials can reduce the demand for virgin raw materials, which in turn reduces embodied carbon.
The idea of using waste to create a greener world has gained traction, with the potential to help solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. A waste biorefinery is an example of this concept.
It turns waste into biopolymers
which can be turned into useful products such as biodegradable fibers, or even into biofuels. The process can also involve wastewater treatment. Ultimately, it is an innovative way to transform waste into a valuable resource.
The ‘circular’ bioeconomy is a way to generate prosperity, efficiency, and sustainability. This is an important approach to global issues. In addition to its many environmental benefits, it can also contribute to food security and a stable energy-environment nexus.
Whether you are in the construction industry or not, you can learn about the many ways in which waste can be transformed into beneficial resources. By doing so, you can increase your own sustainability and create a sustainable, eco-friendly, and more efficient world.
Lot products to help with building maintenance
There are a variety of IoT products to help with building maintenance. These include sensors that alert fleet managers of equipment failures and track the location of equipment in real time. They can also help to reduce idle time and unplanned downtime through predictive maintenance.
The construction industry has been slow to adopt new technologies. But, this is starting to change. A new Industrial Revolution is coming, called Industry 4.0. It is a movement to digitalize industrial processes and promote decentralisation of decision-making.
One of the major benefits of the Internet
of Things (IoT) is that it makes automation easier to implement. This can make many jobs safer and less cumbersome.
Another benefit is that it can make buildings more environmentally friendly. By installing sensors, facilities managers can determine how much energy is being used and how much pollution is being generated. In addition to this, the data can be analyzed and can provide insights into the effectiveness of the building’s operation.
For example, an IoT retrofit can provide insight into the operation of chillers and cooling towers. It can also give building owners real-time visibility into utility submetering.
Many building owners
lack the ability to track their systems’ performance in real time. Using advanced analytics, they can analyze patterns, detect faults and make informed decisions.
In addition to monitoring energy, IoT devices can help to create healthier and greener buildings. Simple devices can be combined with a smart BMS and help create a sustainable, eco-friendly management strategy.
Construction sites have a wealth of moving parts. IIoT sensors can help to unify them and reduce idle time. Having live updates on locations of equipment in an emergency is invaluable.
Investment appetite for green products
The construction industry is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. This is because it consumes approximately 40 percent of raw materials, 35 to 40 percent of energy and about one sixth of water usage. In addition, it also has a large impact on social and environmental issues.
Green construction has a ready market and a growing appetite for investment. For instance, a recently released green ETF from Invesco, a global investment manager, will track MSCI’s Global Green Building Index. It also features companies that are pioneering green business opportunities.
The construction industry will play
a key role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. It will be one of the drivers of economic growth in the coming decade. As an example, in 2020, there will be a 13.9% increase in the number of green building certifications.
However, this growth will be driven by research and development, not only by the construction industry itself. Companies should look into how their products can address future sustainability guidelines and regulatory changes.
Among the construction
sector’s contributions are large scale water recycling systems and desalination plants, which can be a key part of a flood control and water scarcity solution. Additionally, the sector can help to address biodiversity loss.
Similarly, it’s not uncommon to find the construction industry driving innovation in lower-carbon building materials. For example, an eight-fold increase in OEMs decarbonizing supply chains has been attributed to the Science Based Targets initiative.
As construction companies and investors
continue to explore green opportunities, some are discovering that it is still challenging to balance their core business with new and innovative green practices. Moreover, the sector is still figuring out its unique selling points.