Example Engineering Essay

Energy labelling of buildings and the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

1.0: Introduction

Energy Efficiency has become acritical element in the growth of the developed economies in the west. This ismainly because of the fact that the energy consumed by the developed countriesis comparatively higher to those of their developing counterparts that areequally industrialised. Since the efficiency of the energy consumption is thecritical element that attributes to the performance, the need for energyefficiency of civil structures especially buildings (public and industrial) isimperative. Mei ren et al (2003)argue that the energy performance has become a performance measure for theextent to which the developed nations are utilizing the energy efficiently.This makes it clear that a critical analysis on the energy performance of thecivil structures (i.e.) buildings is essential in order to justify the validityof the energy performance bill that is expected be passed as legislation in2006. The research conducted through this dissertation is aimed to accomplishwhether or not the energy labelling of buildings is viable and the extent towhich it can support the implementation of the Energy performance of BuildingsDirective (EPBD).

The energy consumption in the UK isnot only identified as the primary element for the implementation of the Energyperformance of Buildings Directive but also to address the requirements of theKYOTO protocol. The treaty signed by the member nations of the United Nationshas increased the need for the energy efficiency as well as reduce the emissionof CHG or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Since the treaty measures thereduction in emission as a percentage reduction to the original set emissionlevel, it is necessary to implement a legislative act that can provide energyefficiency as well as meet the demands of the KYOTO protocol.

In this report a comprehensiveanalysis on the energy efficiency in buildings both domestic and non-domesticis presented to the reader and the implications of enforcing the Energyperformance of Buildings Directive in 2006. The dissertation also aims toprovide a comprehensive analysis on the potential in achieving the energyefficiency within the buildings of the European Union member states andidentify the course of addressing the KYOTO protocol.

2.0: Aim and Objectives

2.1: Aim

The aim of this report is tocritically analyse whether the Energy Labelling of buildings in the UK is aviable option for measuring their energy performance in order to implementEnergy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

2.2: Objectives

The aim of this report isaccomplished through embracing the research upon the following objectives

To conduct a literature review onthe need for energy efficiency and role of developed nations in theimplementation of Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
To analyse the stand of EuropeanUnion on the implementation of the EPBD.
To conduct secondary researchthrough case study analysis on the energy efficiency of domestic andnon-domestic buildings in the UK.
To critically analyse thesuitability of the Energy performance of Buildings Directiveimplementation based upon the results derived from the case studyanalysis.
To comment upon the Energyperformance of Buildings Directive actualisation as a legislative actbased upon the results and discussions conducted in the research.

3:0 Justifications for the choice of research

Energy efficiency is increasinglydemanded in order to meet the rising demand for energy resources. The fact thatthe energy resources are depleting rapidly makes it critical for the memberstates of the European Union to efficiently utilise the energy in order to gainsustainable growth in the economy.

It was identified that one of themajor consumers of energy in the European Union member states are thebuildings. This is mainly because of the increase in the globalization and thepopulation explosion due to the immigration of foreign nationals to Europeancountries. This has increased the number of buildings drastically in theEuropean Union member states thus increasing the energy consumption as well.Hence it is essential to sketch out a method of accomplishing energy efficiencyso as to reduce the energy consumption as well as the emission of CHG into theatmosphere causing greenhouse effect. This initiative of the European Union isthe major reason for focusing on energy performance measurement in buildingsrather than other sectors like the industries or the transportation.

The fact that the reduction of thepollutants emitted into the atmosphere by the buildings when controlled canmeet the target for the KYOTO protocol as well as accomplish energy savings isanother justification for the choice of the research topic.

Apart form the aforementioned,another interesting feature demonstrated by the buildings that the energyconsumption is predominantly due to the improper temperature management hasfurther created the room for investigation into the flaws of the constructiondesign (or plan) which can be fixed to accomplish energy efficiency.

The fact that the energy savingsand the energy efficiency in the domestic and non-domestic buildings willreduce the energy prices thus benefiting the consumers in the general public isone of the major elements for the choice of the research topic. 4: Research methodology

The research method adopted in thisproject is secondary research methodology where the research is based upon theinformation gathered from whitepapers and journals. The research isaccomplished through the use market reports and journals on the constructionindustry and energy performance journals. Some of the popular resources ofinformation for the research are listed below

Chartered institute of buildingservices Engineers

Key Note Ltd

Data monitor Inc

Journal of facilities management

Facilities journal

Building Services EngineeringResearch & Technology

Journals and whitepapers from various other resources are also utilised in the research process to accomplisha qualitative research in the form of case study analysis.

The research comprises of two separate case study one focusing on each domestic buildings and non-domesticbuildings. The case studies are presented separately in order to establish thesubtle differences between the two categories of the buildings in the EuropeanUnion that fall under the jurisdiction of Energy performance of BuildingsDirective.

5: Justification for secondaryresearch

Primary research in this topicinvolves fieldwork for a long period of time up to several months. Thisrequires investment of both time and money for securing the accuratemeasurements of the emission, level of energy consumption and the airtemperature management level. Since the project is conducted on an academicbasis the research is performed using the secondary research information ratherthan conducting primary research.

Furthermore, the fact that theenergy performance measurement for the emission and civil measurements of thebuildings involve legal requirements to be satisfied prior to presenting in thereport, the research is confined to the secondary information which can bereferenced whilst conducting the research.

6: Scope of the research

The scope of this research isconfined with the energy performance of the buildings in the Europe. Theliterature review presents the overview on the buildings across Europe whilstthe research in the case study is confined only the UK buildings. This ismainly because of the lack of resources on buildings in other nations and thelack of time to analyse any information if gathered.

7: Summary

Energy labelling of the buildingswas considered as a critical factor in the energy performance of the buildingsand the overall nation among the developed countries since the late years ofthe twentieth century. The fact that the energy efficiency programs can reducethe energy consumption in the developed nations that are consuming more energyas stated before has made it imperative to accomplish the energy labellingprocedure. G. J. Levermore (2002)has stated that the energy labelling of the buildings in developed nations willnot only help reduce the energy consumption but also pave the path forachieving an energy efficient economy.

It is also interesting to note thatthe promotion of the energy labelling policies not only involves one countrybut also requires critical information on the energy consumption and thelabelling methods adhered by other developed nations. In order to maintain astandard in the European Union the EPBD bill is put forth that lays a commonstandard to be adopted throughout the European Union.

The research in this report focusesupon the benefits of accomplishing the energy efficiency in order to meet thetargets for the KYOTO protocol and the Energy performance of BuildingsDirective. The report provides a comprehensive analysis on the energyefficiency of the domestic and non-domestic buildings thus accomplishing atotality in the research.

Furthermore, in this report acritical overview of the standards proposed and their implementation in theexisting buildings is analysed qualitatively and constructive recommendationsare provided to assist the decision makers. The discussion on the Energyperformance of Buildings Directive and the recommendations are aimed to providekey issues identified in the research to the decision makers in order toeffectively implement the Energy performance of Buildings Directive.