| 1. |
- Heeren, Niko, et al.
(författare)
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Towards a 2000 Watt society assessing building-specific saving potentials of the Swiss residential building stock
- 2011
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Ingår i: World Sustainable Building Conference 2011, October 18-21, 2011, Helsinki, Finland.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Switzerland declared the notion of the 2000 Watt society as their leitmotif towards a sustainable development in terms of energy. This implies that worldwide, no more than 17520 kWh of total primary energy and 1 ton CO2-eq. are to be consumed per capita and year for all services. Thus, in order to meet the targets of the 2000-Watt society, it is necessary to reduce primary energy demand by 44% and greenhouse gas emissions by 77%. The building stock model, described in this paper, assisted the government of Zurich to identify the necessary steps in order to achieve the goals with regard to the city‟s residential, school, and office buildings. The objective of this paper is to investigate the role of energy demand reduction in residential buildings on the way towards the goals of a 2000-Watt society.In order to illustrate the mechanisms within the building stock and to identify the effects of construction activity, the model works with different scenarios. Specific measures were isolated and analysed individually. All three measures act directly on the building stock; each have comparable reduction potential in terms of primary energy demand (ca. 15%) and greenhouse gas emissions (ca. 40%). In order to further cut back greenhouse gas emissions, measures to reduce carbon intensity of fuels and electricity need to be considered.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Mosteiro-Romero, Martín, et al.
(författare)
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Relative importance of electricity sources and construction practices in residential buildings: A Swiss-US comparison of energy related life-cycle impacts
- 2014
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Ingår i: Energy and Buildings. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-7788. ; 68:PARTA, s. 620-631
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Comparisons of buildings in similar climates built in accordance with different regional constructionpractices and building rating systems can provide useful insights in sustainable design practices. Theobjectives of this study were: (1) to perform energy related life cycle assessments of a typical LEED-H(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes) single-family home in New Jersey (US), and atypical Minergie-P single-family home in Chur, Switzerland; and (2) to assess the effect of rating systemsand construction practices on the buildings’ environmental impacts. Inventory data was obtained fromthe Ecoinvent 2.2 database with a replacement of the Western European electricity mix with the US orNew Jersey electricity mix for the New Jersey home. The Swiss building performed better regarding nonrenewableenergy consumption, Global Warming Potential and Acidification Potential mainly due to thegeothermal heat pump and the Swiss electricity mix while there was less of a difference regarding OzoneLayer Depletion Potential and Eutrophication Potential. The influence of electricity sources exceeded theeffects of longer building life time or the removal of the Swiss basement. Regional building practices, localcodes and environmental policies should take the electricity mix into account because it is so important.
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| 4. |
- Frischknecht, Rolf, et al.
(författare)
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Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Geosyhnthetics versus Conventional filter layer
- 2013
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. - 9782859784744 ; 4, s. 3203-3206
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Geosynthetics made from plastics can replace filter layers made of gravel. In this article goal and scope, basic data and the results of a comparative life cycle assessment of gravel and geosynthetics based filter layers are described. The filter layers of a road made of 30 cm gravel and a filter geosynthetic, respectively, form the basis for the comparison. The filter layers have the same technical performance and the same life time of 30 years. The product system includes the supply of the raw materials, the manufacture of the geotextiles and the extraction of mineral resources, the construction of the road filter, its use and its end of life phase. The life cycle assessment reveals that the geosynthetics based filter layer causes lower environmental impacts per square metre. The cumulative greenhouse gas emissions amount to 7.8 kg CO2-eq (mineral filter) and to 0.81 kg CO2-eq (geosynthetic filter). The variation of the thickness of the gravel based filter layer confirms the lower environmental impacts of a geosynthetics based filter layer. Environmental impacts of the geosynthetic production are dominated by the raw material provision (plastic granulate) and electricity consumption during manufacturing.
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| 5. |
- Frischknecht, Rolf, et al.
(författare)
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Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Geosynthetics versus Concrete Retaining Wall
- 2013
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. - 9782859784744 ; 3, s. 1979-1982
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Geogrids made of geosynthetics can replace conventional building materials like concrete. In this article, goal andscope, basic data and the results of a comparative life cycle assessment of concrete reinforced retaining walls (CRRW) and geosynthetics reinforced retaining walls (GRRW) are described. One running meter of a three meters high retaining wall forms the basis for comparison. The two walls have the same technical performance and an equal life time of 100 years. The GRRW has a lower demand of steel and concrete compared to the CRRW. The product system includes the supply of the raw materials, the manufacture of the geotextiles and the concrete, the construction of the wall, its use and its end of life. The life cycle assessment reveals that the GRRW causes lower environmental impacts. The cumulative greenhouse gas emissions of 300 m CRRW are 400 t and 70 t in case of GRRW. The use of an environmentally friendlier lorry in a sensitivity analysis and monte carlo simulation confirm the lower environmental impacts caused by the construction of a GRRW compared to a CRRW. More than 70 % of the environmental impacts of the geogrids production are caused by the raw material provision (plastic granulate) and the electricity demand in manufacturing.
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| 6. |
- Heeren, Niko, et al.
(författare)
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A component based bottom-up building stock model for comprehensive environmental impact assessment and target control
- 2013
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Ingår i: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-0690 .- 1364-0321. ; 20:April 2013, s. 45-56
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The building stock is one of the most important energy consumers worldwide. Therefore, a number of energy reduction targets and regulations exist for the construction sector. Different building stock models have been developed in order to investigate the potentials of energy-efficiency and changes in energy source in the building stock. However,these models often have important shortcomings, since they are single-issued and do not include the life cycle of buildings. Thus,we propose an innovative assessment methodology in the form of a life cycle-based building stock model(LC-Build). The building stock is clustered in building cohorts of similar construction and equipment characteristics in terms oftype, construction period and building technology systems. The most important building components are assigned specific thermal transmittance values. Figures for diffusion and retrofit rate describe the development of the building stock fabric. Additionally,environmental impact from the energy supply side is taken into account. This approach facilitates the evaluation of the effectiveness of measures and their dynamics on the building stock, such as newer and more efficient technologies and practicesrelated to energy policies and prices.Furthermore, the model has a direct relationship to the construction activity(energy-efficiency measures, substitution of fossil energy based heating systems) and fosters the comprehension of material flows, related environmental impact,and costs.The practicality of this approach is demonstrated by means of a case study in the city of Zurich in Switzerland. The results suggest that Zurich has are markable potential to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector: 85% by 2050. The case study highlights the advantages of the proposed modeling approach. The LC-Build is a valuable tool to identify and test sustainable energy targets for building stocks, such as the European 20–20–20 target.
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| 7. |
- John, Viola, et al.
(författare)
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Comperative ecological Life Cycle Assessment for residential buildings
- 2011
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Ingår i: World Sustainable Building Conference 2011, October 18-21, 2011, Helsinki, Finland.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) offers a viable way of evaluating a buildings environmental impact throughout all life phases (construction, use/occupation and deconstruction). However, LCAs of buildings still need to be well-established so that in the future, architects and planners will already be able to conduct them at early design stages. The evaluation of residential buildings, which for instance in Switzerland contribute about 88% to the overall Swiss building stock [1], will be especially important in the future in order to minimize environmental impacts. The Chair of Sustainable Construction at ETH Zurich is conducting a major research study on how to assure comparability, reliability and simplification of LCAs on residential buildings in the future. In a representative study, up to 100 residential apartment buildings are analyzed. The aim of this study is to integrate complexity in LCA by means of identifying those building parameters (e.g. construction materials and components, heating energy, etc.) most relevant for LCAs in typical apartment buildings in terms of their environmental impacts, while also considering economic aspects. In this instance, only Swiss buildings are examined, however, the methodology is generally applicable. Based on this analysis, a concept for a light standardized LCA tool for Swiss residential apartment buildings will be developed which enables architects and planners to easily evaluate the environmental impacts of a building right from the beginning of the design process. This paper introduces the methodological approach applied in the ETH research project Life Cycle Assessment of Infrastructure - Buildings.
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| 8. |
- Meins, Erika, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainability and property valuation: a risk-based approach
- 2010
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Ingår i: Building Research and Information. - 1466-4321 .- 0961-3218. ; 38:3, s. 280-300
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The proportion of sustainable property in the total building stock remains small. One reason is that the financial added value resulting from sustainability is not sufficiently taken into account in property valuation due to the tendency of valuations to lag behind market trends. Quantitative information is provided to integrate those aspects of sustainability relating to value into valuations and thereby contribute to the reduction of valuation lag. The Centre for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CCRS) Economic Sustainability Indicator (ESI) measures the risk of property to lose value and the opportunity to gain value due to future developments (e.g. climate change or rising energy prices). Five groups of value-related sustainability features were identified: flexibility and polyvalence; energy and water dependency; accessibility and mobility; security; and health and comfort. By minimizing the risk of loss in value through future developments, those sustainability features contribute to the property value. Their effects on property value were quantified by risk modelling. As an indicator for future-oriented property risk, the ESI is integrated into the discount rate of discounted cash flow valuations. The approach was tested for plausibility and practicability on more than 200 properties.
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| 9. |
- Wallbaum, Holger, 1967, et al.
(författare)
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Cost-effective and high performance renovation of existing residential multi-family buildings in three European countries
- 2013
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Ingår i: Sustainable Building Conference 2013, 23.-28.09.2013, TU Graz, Austria. ; , s. 360-361
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The built environment is a central aspect of daily human life. Building processes are also among the most cost intensive processes that we come into contact with. As for residential buildings, many people take 20 or 30 years, or even more, to pay back their home loans. Refurbishment of buildings is seen as a possible major contribution to lowering the impact of buildings on the environment [1] while being, ideally, economically promising and keeping the social identity of our built environment. On the other hand, regulations are often centered on the sustainability of new buildings [2], and there is a lack of regulations tailored to refurbishment [3]. At the same time existing buildings are seen as a key factor in local identity, and as a hub of socio-ecological development [4].The EU funded BEEM-UP project (Building Energy Efficiency for Massive market UPtake) [5] has the goal to demonstrate the economic, social and technical feasibility of retrofitting initiatives for a 75 percent reduction in energy consumption in existing buildings, and lay the ground for massive market uptake. BEEM-UP involves key expertise to implement and demonstrate innovative building and energy management approaches with the overall aim to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings and obtain better indoor comfort conditions in three ambitious retrofitting projects. The main emphasis is placed on the economic and ecological life cycle assessment and comparison of the different projects and applied measurements in Sweden, the Netherlands and France. All projects are large-scale residential buildings with a focus on social housing, apartments and flats. All three sites are representative examples in the respective countries of building cohorts that are due for refurbishment.One of the main goals of the BEEM-UP project is to compare the refurbishment approaches of the different countries, and to provide an exchange regarding related problems and solutions. For this purpose an ecological as well as life cycle cost assessment has been carried out for all three sites. For each site six refurbishment scenarios have been defined through intensive consultations with the building owners and other stakeholders, for instance tenants or tenant representatives. First preliminary results indicate that it is economically and technologically feasible to achieve 75 percent reductions in energy consumption for the existing building stock.However, these preliminary findings point to institutional and social impediments that may not lead to massive market uptake in the social housing real estate community. Social housing institutions face distinct regulations and economic constraints, which can inhibit their uptake of energy retrofit policies [6]. On the one hand, national and EU wide policies nudge building owners towards basic energy-efficiency measures. On the other hand, institutional factors historically embedded into the social housing framework like rent controls and governmental rent subsidies inhibit a more equitable distribution of refurbishment costs between tenants and building owners. Moreover, discounted third-party capital is limited and subsidies at the national and local levels cannot support the level of refurbishments needed across the housing stock.However, there is economic value in energy-efficiency refurbishments of the building stock. An increasing number of studies document increased transaction values for buildings that are relatively more energy-efficient [7,8]. However, BEEM-Up has shed light on other sources of value at the property level. Namely, firms that have developed the product, process and organizational innovations associated with energy-efficiency retrofits could be financially more nimble and efficient in their housing portfolio relative to their non-innovative peers. In addition, there are more ways than transaction value and rental income to see the financial benefits of energy-efficiency. Alternate sources of income from renewable energy and even less explored financial benefits from taxation and depreciation that are currently linked to energy-efficiency investments are another source of savings for energy-efficiency that is far less explored. Thus, political and economic capital is required to shift institutions and firms towards an innovation mind-set to meet the needs of an ecologically improved building stock.
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| 10. |
- Wallbaum, Holger, 1967, et al.
(författare)
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Environmental benefits by using construction methods with geosynthetics
- 2014
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Ingår i: 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics, ICG 2014. - 9783981395396
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Geosynthetic materials are used in many different applications in the civil and underground engineering. In most cases, the use of geosynthetic material replaces the use of other materials. On behalf of the European Association for Geosynthetic Manufacturers (EAGM) the authors quantified the environmental performance of commonly applied construction materials (such as concrete, cement, lime or gravel) versus geosynthetics. To this end a set of comparative life cycle assessment studies are carried out, according to the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, concentrating on various application cases, namely filtration, foundation stabilised road, landfill construction and slope retention. The environmental performance of geosynthetics is compared to the performance of competing construction materials used. The environmental impacts of the full life cycle of the four cases show overall the following results:• A filter using a geosynthetic layer causes lower impacts compared to a conventional gravel based filter layer with regard to all impact category indicators investigated.• A conventional road causes higher impacts compared to a road reinforced with geosynthetics with regard to all impact category indicators.• A geosynthetic drainage layer causes lower environmental impacts compared to a gravel based drainage layer in all impact categories considered except land competition which is about the same in both cases.• A geosynthetic reinforced wall causes lower environmental impacts compared to a reinforced concrete wall in all impact categories considered.
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