From Guest Blogger Michael Tobias: Engineering Technologies That Can Decarbonize the Building Sector

Michael Tobias (pictured) writes as follows:

According to the International Energy Agency, buildings account for 36% of global energy consumption. Buildings also have a significant carbon footprint, producing 40% of direct and indirect CO2 emissions. When looking for ways to reduce the environmental impact of modern society, the building sector cannot be ignored.

It is important to understand that not all building emissions are produced locally. For instance, the exhaust from gas-fired heating systems and diesel generators is released directly by buildings. However, there are also indirect emissions that cannot be observed locally – one example is when the electricity used by a building comes from fossil fuels.

An effective decarbonization strategy for buildings should reduce direct and indirect emissions. Direct emissions often get more attention because they are evident, but they don’t represent the full environmental impact of a building. Energy efficiency measures and on-site renewable generation can reduce both local and off-site emissions.

Decarbonizing Space Heating and Hot Water Systems

Buildings have traditionally relied on fossil fuel combustion to heat indoor spaces and water. Electric resistance heaters have been available for decades, and they can provide heating without combustion. Unfortunately, resistance heaters have a very high operating cost, especially in places with expensive electricity.

Heat pumps have become a viable option to provide heating without combustion. Compared with resistance heaters, heat pumps can cut electricity consumption by more than 50%. The most efficient heat pumps use underground water as a heat sink and heat source, and they can save over 70% compared with resistance heaters. These are called ground-source heat pumps or geothermal heat pumps, since they exchange heat with the ground.

The most efficient heat pumps can match the operating cost of gas-fired heating systems. A key challenge lies in retrofitting existing buildings, since heat pumps are very different from conventional boilers and furnaces. Many heat pumps also include a cooling mode, which lets them operate as air conditioners during summer. This way, two building systems can be consolidated into a single installation.

Reducing Emissions with Renewable Energy Sources

Even if a building reduces local emissions with heat pump technology, indirect emissions remain if the grid depends on fossil fuels. Unlike conventional power plants, which have a centralized generation capacity, renewable energy sources can be distributed among buildings. Solar panels in particular are very adaptable, since they can be used in all types of properties.

When power generation systems are installed at the point of use, there is no need to transport electricity through power lines and transformers. This reduces transmission and distribution losses, while lowering the workload on the local grid. Also, if renewable generation displaces conventional fossil fuel generation, the indirect emissions from buildings are reduced.

Solar panels and wind turbines can now deliver electricity at a lower cost than fossil fuels. However, they are still limited by their variable output: you cannot control sunlight or wind to produce electricity when needed, but fossil fuels can be stored for any time. Energy storage technology can eliminate this limitation, but high costs still limit the potential applications. However, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that energy storage could become around 60% less expensive by 2030.

Conclusion

Space heating and hot water systems that rely on combustion represent a large share of building emissions. These emissions can be greatly reduced by switching from combustion heating to heat pumps, which run with only electricity.

Electric heating does not eliminate emissions if the corresponding power is generated from fossil fuels. However, renewable generation systems in homes and businesses can supply clean electricity. Distributed generation also reduces grid losses, since less energy travels from power stations to buildings.

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Michael Tobias is the founder and principal of Chicago Engineers, an Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Company in America. He leads a team of 30+ mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineers from the company headquarters in New York City; and has led over 1,000 projects in Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland and California, as well as Singapore and Malaysia. 

He is a graduate of Georgia Tech class of 2004, with a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering with honors. His innovative approach to MEP engineering comes from graduating GE’s Engineering Leadership Program, where he designed wind turbines and biofuel power plant engines. Michael’s passion within design is energy efficiency and green technology. His focus is on integrating MEP/FP engineering design with architecture to create as seamless a system as possible. He is an advocate for green design and technologies, and has designed to both Passive House and Net 0 energy standards. He has spoken numerous times at the AIA, been featured in Georgia Tech’s Alumni magazine, and is an engineering expert on Discovery Channel’s show “Impossible Engineering”. 

A New York native, Michael grew up in Rockville Centre, LI. He currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife and children. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the outdoors, whether it’s on a bike, a pair of skis, or a surfboard. He is passionate about growing personally and professionally every day, and about doing innovative work in the engineering world to help disrupt the traditional construction industry.