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Technological innovations
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Technological product innovation for sustainable energy in buildings generally comprises two categories of technical solutions: energy-efficient technologies, and renewable energy technologies (Brindle et al., 2007). Energy efficiency is the use of less energy than the industry standard for ventilation, heating, cooling, an artificial lighting to fulfil desired thermal comfort and task requirement of building occupants (Intrachooto, 2002). Energy efficiency often take two forms: reducing the demand for energy, and using fossil energy as efficiently as possible. Reducing energy demand can be achieved by avoiding energy waste and implementing energy-saving measures (Action Energy, 2002). This should be accomplished while maintaining thermal comfort (experienced temperature, heating and cooling), visual comfort (light and shading) and air quality (fresh air, removal of pollution and surplus heat) (Monash University, 2010). Using fossil energy more efficiently can be achieved by performing the same task with less energy, using the same amount of energy but producing more useful or higher value product and redefining the task so it can be performed using less energy (Clement et al., 2009). As Intelligent Energy (IE, 2009) argues, energy efficiency issues are affected by the passive and active qualities of the building. The passive qualities of the building involve issues related to its geometry, design and choice of materials and largely influence its lighting, temperature and ventilation. The active qualities involve the technical installations (lighting, heating, ventilation and cooling), supplementing the passive qualities of the building to create a comfortable indoor climate (IE, 2009). Such energy-efficient technologies inc... ... middle of paper ... ...on upon which this research study is rooted. In addition, the term sustainable energy innovation is used to represent both energy-efficient innovations, and renewable energy innovation. In other words the term sustainable energy innovation is used on this research study to represent innovations that are implemented to either reduce the demand for energy, use fossil fuel more efficiently or utilise renewable energy. Therefore, taking the above distinctions into consideration, the following definition of sustainable energy innovation is adopted: Sustainable energy innovations are novel technological product innovations that are successfully integrated into design strategies in order to prevent or substantially reduce the negative impacts of energy use by reducing energy demand, increasing energy efficiency, or utilising new ways of renewable energy generation
LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a certification program for green buildings with stringent requirements for building energy efficient and environmentally responsible structures. Some requirements of this program include specific building materials, smart grid capable, gray water reclamation systems, green space minimums, high levels of insulation and low thermal transfer glass (US Green Building Council). Green buildings are a must if we are to sustain our current level of growth. Despite the higher initial cost of these buildings, the long term energy savings make these buildings a smarter choice for
GREEN TECHNOLOGY - As a consumer, buying an electronic product that are more energy-efficient and less harmful to the environment will encourage manufacturers to produce a product that are safe to our environment. Energy-efficient and safe technology products called Green Technology has been around for a while now. Computers and other electronics are made out of recycled materials that are safe to our environment. If consumers are to buy more of these products, companies will be encouraged to produce green technologies.
Reducing and altering one’s energy consumption, and more broadly, saving resources of energy, is a key factor in ensuring that this world is kept and maintained liveable for future generations. By incorporating energy consumption methods in our daily lives, sustainable urbanisation will be achieved and our community will be ever more environmentally friendly. The practical methods and first step measures households should take in reducing their energy consumption, is by utilising energy smart principles and renewable energy resources. These have become easily accessible and affordable for many as the government continues to emphasise the importance of sustaining our environment and the importance of people being conscious of energy expenditure from
Sustainability can also be well-defined as a capability or aptitude of a thing to be upheld or to sustain the situation. It’s about what are essential to survive currently, deprived of risking the probable for societies in the future to encounter their requirements. a good example of sustainability is to practice wind energy.
The effectiveness of climate responsive architecture is evident over the course of its life, in lessened costs of utilities and maintenance. A poorly designed structure which doesn’t consider environmental or vernacular factors can ultimately cost the occupant – in addition to the environment – more in resources than a properly designed building. For instance, a structure with large windows on the south façade in a hot, arid climate would lose most of its air conditioning efforts to the pervading sun, ultimately increasing the cost of energy. By applying vernacular strategies to modern design, a structure can ideally achieve net zero energy use, and be a wholly self-sufficient
...ination, hydrogen fuel and solar energy (World Economic Forum 2014). These are technologies that closely related to environmental and recourse preservation, which help the society switch to use renewable energy.
Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objects of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimal waste, and create healthy, productive environments (“Sustainable Design”). Focusing primarily on the sustainable design principles, there are five, including: low-impact materials, energy efficiency, quality and durability, design for reuse and recycling, and renewability. As sustainability appears to become the necessary trend in architecture, the question concerning the cost versus outcome of “going green” really an investment or a waste of time and money comes to mind. With our research provided below, we believe the expenses may truly be with the investment in the end.
Sustainability is a concept with a diverse array of meanings and definitions – a widely used glamorous, ambiguous, ambivalent and vague concept that is used by different stakeholder groups in various ways. Presumably to avoid noodling over a terminology or to avoid the confrontation with a definition, most widely the concept is broken down a planning process (c.f. e.g. Döring & Muraca, 2010). That is why most common sustainability is understood as sustainable development.1
From perspectives of environment, insulation is the most cost effective way of reducing energy consumption and also can help to protect environment. As thermal insulation system maintains the temperature in rooms, it controls thermal energy loss or gain depending on different seasons; the demands of using air conditioners or fireplaces are reduced. In summer, citizens can hold patience to against sweltering hot weather without air conditioners, and in winter there is no need to burn wood or coal while a thick coat can solve all problems. As a result, the greenhouse gases emission is reduced as the amount of fuel burnt to produce electricity keeps falling. Furthermore, insulation reduces average home heating and cooling costs so the burden of increasing energy can be afforded. As the right insulation is a once-only cost that lasts for the life of the building and requires no further
A green building (also referred to as sustainable building or green construction) is a structure that employs an approach that is responsible for the environment besides being efficient in regard to resources all through its life cycle: This is from selecting the site to designing it, constructing, operating, maintaining, renovating and demolishing it. To achieve this, the client, the engineers, the architects and the entire design team closely cooperate at all stages of a project (Yan and Paliniotis, 2006). Practicing Green Building complements and expands the conventional building design areas of comfort, durability, utility and economy.
Green technology is the technology whose main aim is reduce the impact of human activities on the environment. In other words the target of green technology is to consume less natural resources, reduce the emission, produce goods with energy efficiency, take care of health and safety issues and reuse and recycle the goods after their usage.
The beginnings of today's green revolution can be traced back to the environmental awareness of the 1960s and European design. New construction techniques have lead to the development of innovative materials and design concepts. Green buildings are designed, constructed and commissioned to ensure they are healthy for their occupants. Successfully designed green projects can involve an extensive array of factors, ranging from the resourceful use of materials, to careful consideration of function, climate, and location.
Solar power for instance is one of the most popular and easiest of all of the renewable energy sources to harness, especially for home and business uses. (Galbraith) For around the same ...
Sustainability simply defined to me as balancing act between the development of sustainability is necessary for both planet Earth and humans to survive. This is reinforced in the World Commission on Environment and Development report (1987) that sustainable development must meet the needs of the present without compromising the well-being of future generations”. The Earth Charter Organization widened the idea of sustainability to respect for a culture of peace, universal human rights, nature, and economic justice (What is sustainability?, n.d.).
The world that we live into today affords us the expectation that the flip a switch will turn the lights on. As populations increase and developing nations undergo dramatic economic growth, this energy demand will only continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that “the world’s energy needs could be 50% higher in 2030 than they are today” (ElBaradei). Given this projected growth, it is necessary for world leaders must take action to secure the energy supply. Meaning that world leaders need to start seriously considering an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. “In 2012, the United States generated about 4,054 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. About 68% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuel (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), with 37% attributed from coal” (U.S. Energy Information Administration). The fossil fuels that are used to supply over half of our country’s energy are in finite supply and are increasing in price to astronomical heights.