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BEAM P
LUS FOR
N
EW
B
UILDINGS
E
NERGY
U
SE
(E
U
)
V
ERSION
1.2
E
U
3 E
MBODIED
E
NERGY IN
B
UILDING
S
TRUCTURAL
E
LEMENTS
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 100
4
E
NERGY
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4.2
E
NERGY
E
FFICIENT
S
YSTEMS
E
U
3 E
MBODIED
E
NERGY IN
B
UILDING
S
TRUCTURAL
E
LEMENTS
E
XCLUSIONS
None.
O
BJECTIVE
Encourage the design of structural elements and choice of materials that
results in lower embodied energy.
C
REDITS ATTAINABLE
1 + 1 BONUS
P
REREQUISITES
None.
C
REDIT REQUIREMENT
1 credit for demonstrating the embodied energy in the major elements of
the building structure of the assessed building has been studied through
a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
1 BONUS credit for demonstrating the major materials with low
embodied energy are used in the project utilizing the LCA results.
A
SSESSMENT
The assessment covers only the elements and materials used in the
building foundations, building core, walls, etc, i.e., major elements of
building structure including building facade and primary and secondary
structures, but does not include building services system.
The Client shall provide a report detailing the methodology and result of
the assessment. The method to estimate reduction in embodied energy
should follow a well-established Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach.
It is encouraged to use EMSD’s tool or other equivalent tools to conduct
a Life Cycle Assessment.
The bonus credit will be given where changes in the design of the main
structural elements, for example the use of less materials or alternative
constructions, etc. enable a reduction in embodied energy compared
with the same building where the enhancements were not included.
BACKGROUND
The energy used in the extraction, processing and transportation of
materials used in building construction can be a significant part of the
total energy used over the life cycle of a building, particularly buildings
that utilise natural ventilation where operating energy for cooling and
ventilation are significantly less than for air-conditioned buildings.
Estimations for Hong Kong residential buildings suggest that embodied
energy amounts to 20-40% of total energy used over a 40-60 year
lifetime [1,2,3].
Heightened awareness of the importance of environmental protection,
and the possible impacts associated with products manufactured and
consumed, has increased the interest in the development of methods to
better comprehend and reduce these impacts. One of the techniques
being developed for this purpose is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). ISO
14040 [4] describes the principles and framework for conducting and
reporting LCA studies, and includes certain minimal requirements. LCA
is a technique for assessing the environmental aspects and potential
impacts associated with a product, by:
compiling an inventory of relevant inputs and outputs of a product
1
Cole R J, Wong K S. Minimising environmental impact of high-rise residential buildings. Proc. Housing for millions: The
challenge ahead. Hong Kong: Housing Authority, 1996, pp 262–5.
2
Humphrey S, Amato A, Frewer R. Whole Life Comparison of High Rise Residential Blocks in Hong Kong. International
Housing Conference - Housing in the 21st Century: Challenges and Commitments. 2-4 February 2004.
3
Chen T Y, Burnett J, Chau C K. Analysis of embodied energy use in residential building of Hong Kong. Energy 26, 2001.
pp 323-340.
4
International Organization for Standardization. EN ISO 14040:1997. Environmental management – Life cycle
assessment – Principles and framework.