The built environment and construction sector accounts
for nearly 39% of the global carbon emissions and approx. 36% of global energy
consumption. Currently, 4.4 billion inhabitants live in cities and the number
is projected to increase by 80% by 2050 as the trend of urbanization continues.
However, reaching net-zero carbon goal has become a top priority for nations
and cities in the wake of climate change. Hence, the real estate and
construction industry are embracing green building technologies to transform
the way buildings are designed, built, and operated while promoting
sustainability and improving the quality of life for building occupants. The
ultimate objective of constructing green buildings is to cause a significant
reduction in water, material, waste generation, and energy utilization during
and post construction. The need for “green” building is not only crucial from a
social responsibility perspective but also to stay competitive in the market as
end-users are demanding energy-efficient infrastructure. Some of the economic
benefits of green buildings include reduced operating costs, improved occupant
productivity, enhanced asset value and profits, and optimized life-cycle
economic performance.
The
green building technologies integrate eco-friendly materials, renewable energy
systems, and innovative construction methods to minimize the carbon footprint
of buildings throughout their lifecycle, including designing, construction,
operation, and demolition. Here are some of the significant innovations that
are revolutionizing the construction sector.
Whenever
we picture solar energy, we think about photovoltaic cells built out on
rooftops or large farms capturing sunrays. Despite the notion, solar power
generation does not require a ton of equipment and sometimes no equipment at
all. There are two ways to harness solar energy via active systems and passive
systems. Active systems require devices to convert solar energy into
electricity while passive systems include structures that utilize the natural
elements of the sun, wind, and shade to collect, store, reflect, and
disseminate heat. These days, architects are strategically placing windows,
shading devices, and thermal insulations to optimize energy efficiency for
heating and lighting. This way, passive solar design can result in reduced
consumption of energy and less exploitation of fossil fuel-based energy
sources. For instance, the space between double glazing windows is sometimes
filled with argon that gives a good insulation effect. The floors are covered
with materials that can absorb heat and radiate sun’s heat throughout the home.
Skyscrapers are using passive solar energy techniques to increase their
efficiency and stop temperature fluctuations inside the building. Buildings
built with passive solar design have advantages such as free solar gain from
sunlight, lower energy use and utility costs, elimination of harsh sunlight,
and more.
- Electrochromic
Smart Glass
Electrochromic
smart glass, also known as switchable windows or dynamic windows, utilizes the
principle of electrochromism in which materials shift color from transparent to
opaque while applying an electrical voltage across them. The electrochromic
glass utilizes a tiny gust of electricity to charge ions on a window layer and
alter the amount of light entering it. Blocking all the sunlight, these smart
glasses can significantly reduce the need for air conditioning. Since electrochromic
smart glasses are electricity operated, they can even be regulated by a
smart-home controlled system or sunlight sensor. Some of the more advanced
electrochromic smart glass combine solar cells that do not reflect away
sunlight rather store up the energy for later. According to the US Department
of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), electrochromic smart
glass can save up to one-eighth of the total energy used by buildings in the
country. Although smart glass is already in commercial use, these are expected
to become more mainstream as developers continue to invest in the smart
energy-saving technology.
Additive
manufacturing (3D printing) has marked a new era for the construction sector,
enabling printing of almost any shape imaginable. Architectures, designers, and
builders are leveraging the new and innovative technology for bridges to large
multi-storey buildings, internal piping to ventilation systems. 3D printing
involves cutting out or removing material from a piece of metal or plastic and
successively add layers of material to create a desired object. Materials such
as concrete, metal, and resin are being used to build entire structures like
bridges and houses, as well as individual building components in both
residential and commercial structures. Additionally, the additive manufacturing
process requires less materials and results in less wastage compared to
traditional construction techniques. Materials used for 3D printing such as
concrete and metal are fireproof and waterproof, thus ideal for disaster-prone
regions. The technology is being rapidly adopted, owing to the rising
urbanization, and increasing need for sustainable alternatives for building
materials. China built the first 3D printed a 11-meter bridge that can hold up
to 5 adults utilizing modified plastic. Technical University Munich has 3D
printed light-weight cement pipes using selective binding.
According
to TechSci Research report on “Construction 3D Printing Market – Global Industry Size, Share,
Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast 2018-2028F, Segmented By Method (Extrusion,
Powder Bonding, Others), By Material Type (Concrete, Metal, Composite, Others),
By End User (Building, Infrastructure), By Region, Competition”, the global construction 3D printing
market is expected to steady rate through 2028. The factors attributing to the
growth include huge rise in green construction projects and advances in 3D
printing technologies.
One
of the basic requirements to run an infrastructure is electricity, which
generally comes from power grids that utilize fossil fuels to generate it. As
the demand for electricity is exacerbating at a rapid rate, it has become
essential to become self-sufficient. Net-Zero, or self-sufficient buildings are
those that produce electricity without relying on external non-renewable
sources. These buildings generate power through renewable energy sources, store
it in batteries and use automation technology to manage their system, which
results in energy independence and reduced reliance on traditional energy
sources. For instance, solar glasses, a new technology developed by the
University of Michigan could replace the normal glass of buildings where they
could act in the same way as solar panels. In skyscrapers, wind turbines are
mounted on rooftops for constant and substantial air currents at higher
altitudes that propel the turbine blades and generate enough power to keep the
building operation running.
Another
way to make buildings efficient is to incorporate smart control and pairing
them with renewable energy storage solutions for running everything smoothly.
Net-zero buildings rely on real-time and historical data gathered through
sensors placed throughout the building to optimize energy consumption and
building performance. The predictive system makes real-time adjustments to
lighting, heating, and cooling, which not only help reduce the energy use and
enhance energy efficiency. Edge building in Amsterdam and Bullitt Center in
Seattle are some of the examples of self-sufficient buildings that produce
their own energy through solar panels and automate energy usage.
Cool
roofing system is a growing trend to help keep buildings cooler and make them
more energy efficient. In this type of roofing systems, a reflective material
is used to protect structures against extreme weather and insulate them as
well. The material delivers high solar reflectance and thermal emittance than
standard-designed rooftops, which keep buildings cooler and reduce the need for
artificial cooling. Another advantage of cool roof systems is that it reduces the
wear and tear of roof and potentially extends its life. Industrial warehouses
that generate a lot of heat can use the cool roof systems to reduce the
temperature and minimize costs.
- Green
Construction Material Alternatives
Concrete,
one of the most-consumed material in the construction industry, accounts for
around 8% of the global CO2 emissions every year. Cement industry is the second
largest contributor of carbon dioxide. Although cement production creates a lot
of air pollution, the process cannot be stopped since it is the basic
requirement for establishing any infrastructure. The only alternative to cement
is green cement, manufactured through carbon-negative production procedure.
Green cement requires less natural materials and do not release much carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere. Many mechanisms and technologies have emerged in
recent years for green cement manufacture, patented by different manufacturing
companies.
Researchers
at the University of Tokyo unveiled cement made out of food waste and plastic
without additives using heat pressing strategy. The tensile strength of this
green cement is more than three times the strength of ordinary concrete. In
2019, researchers from the National Taipei University and Water Resources
Department in India revealed that the coarse materials and binding materials
used in green concrete can be replaced with natural wastes from agricultural
and aquaculture farming. Many more alternatives are merging and though these
innovations are at an early stage, they are gradually bringing building
materials closer to meeting reduced carbon emissions goals.
According
to TechSci Research report on “Saudi Arabia Green Cement Market By Product Type (Fly Ash Based,
Slag Based, Limestone-Based, Silica Fume-Based, Others), By Application
(Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Others), By End Use (New Construction,
Repair and Maintenance), By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2018-2028F”, Saudi Arabia green cement market is
projected to grow at a formidable rate during the forecast period. Factors
attributing to the growth include rapidly expanding construction sector and
rising environmental concerns pertaining to the use of conventional cement.
Robotics
technology is becoming an important technology in the manufacturing
environment, owing to the rising trend of Industry 5.0 and increasing interest
towards connected, automated, and efficient processes. While incorporating
robotics in construction may require upfront investment, they give long-term
benefits such as improved operational efficiency, reduced production costs, and
increased profitability. Besides, construction robots have the potential to
reduce waste and environmental impact significantly by precisely measuring and
cutting materials and thus, making efficient use of resources. Automation
capabilities lead to faster completion times that results in lower consumption
of energy and reduced environmental footprint. Demolition robots break down
materials with accuracy and speed while unmanned aerial vehicles conduct site
inspections and monitor progress, quality, and safety. Many startups are
investing in creating construction robotics incorporating AI, computer vision,
and wireless communication to reduce construction waste significantly while
improving efficiency.
Way Ahead
Rising
number of green building initiatives that support energy conservation and
stringent government regulations to reduce carbon emissions in the construction
sector are expected to fuel the adoption of green building technologies in
coming years. However, high costs of green building materials and lack of
knowledge about the advantages that green building materials serve might pose a
challenge for its adoption.