In the most recent ASHRAE lecture series, Professor Tim Wentz gave the first of a series of three presentations over three weeks to the South African Chapter of ASHRAE. The first was on the topic of A Human Behaviour Approach to Net Zero Energy Buildings hosted by the CCT Committee. The following is a summary of that presentation, with lectures two and three being covered in subsequent issues of Cold Link Africa. This is Part 3 of a five-part series.
Energy efficiency forms the basis of net-zero energy buildings, serving as a prerequisite before implementing renewable energy strategies. Freepik.com
The path towards achieving net-zero emissions in the HVAC&R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) industry is faced with significant challenges. When we closely examine the outcomes of COP 27, it becomes evident that we are falling short of meeting our goals. Limiting global warming to 1.5°C seems increasingly unlikely, and even restricting it to 2°C by 2050 appears to be a formidable task. With the planet already experiencing a 1.1°C rise, the frequency of extreme events like floods, droughts, and wildfires will continue to increase.
Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, Pakistan has taken the lead by revitalising the Task Force on Decarbonisation within the HVAC&R industry. This is in the belief that ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) must prioritise decarbonisation to align with global efforts, particularly the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement. Decarbonisation encompasses a broader spectrum of issues than just energy efficiency, although energy efficiency remains a vital component. ASHRAE understands this and recognises the continued importance of energy efficiency, as it is intricately linked to decarbonisation.
Pakistan outlined three pillars that serve as the foundation for ASHRAE’s strategy and approach. The first pillar is energy efficiency, emphasising its enduring significance within ASHRAE’s mission. The other two pillars are transitioning to cleaner energy sources and shifting towards electricity generated from low-carbon sources. While relatively new to ASHRAE, these pillars play a crucial role in the decarbonisation process.
The concept of net-zero energy buildings holds great importance in this endeavour. Net-zero energy buildings aim to have no adverse energy impact, ideally generating surplus energy to meet the needs of human comfort, building safety, and processes. Defining the boundaries of ‘zero’ poses a challenge, whether based on energy source, site energy, or monetary aspects of energy trading. To address this, ASHRAE looked to history and recognised that net-zero energy buildings have existed for centuries. For example, indigenous dwellings in rural areas, like those of the Plains Indian population in Nebraska, exemplify the concept of net-zero energy buildings. However, not every building can achieve net-zero status, as simply adding extensive photovoltaic arrays without focusing on energy efficiency makes little sense.
ASHRAE acknowledges that net-zero energy buildings and high-performance buildings are not synonymous. Energy efficiency forms the basis of net-zero energy buildings, serving as a prerequisite before implementing renewable energy strategies. Therefore, net-zero energy buildings retain their significance as a critical aspect of ASHRAE’s focus.
