Wilkinson, S; Biloria, N and Ralph, P (2020) The technical issues associated with algae building technology. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 38(5), pp. 673-688. ISSN 23984708
Abstract
Purpose: As the impacts of climate change become more evident, the need to adopt new ways of constructing buildings becomes more urgent. The Earth has experienced hotter climates globally for the last 70 years (NASA, 2019), and this has resulted in unprecedented levels of bushfire in Australia, flooding in the UK and drought in Africa in early 2020 (World Resources Institute, 2019). The predictions are for increased temperatures globally and increasing carbon emissions from fossil fuel consumption. There is a critical need to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels as a building energy source (WCED, 1987). Existing renewables focus on solar, wind and wave power, where technological improvements have increased efficiencies (Hinnells, 2008). Uptake of the technologies is variable depending on location and willingness to adopt renewables. As well as further uptake of existing renewable energy sources, we need to look wider and across traditional discipline groups, at new technologies such as biotechnologies. One potential energy source is biofuels. Biofuels are produced from biomass, which is algae. In 2016, the BIQ, a four-storey apartment building, was constructed in Hamburg, Germany. The BIQ features glazed façade panels filled with algae to produce biomass and solar thermal energy. Could algae building technology (ABT), in the form of façade panels, offer a new renewable energy source? Design/methodology/approach: What are the technical issues associated with Algae building technology? This qualitative research sought to identify what technical issues likely to arise in terms of algae building construction, operation and maintenance. Semi-structured interviews with 24 experienced built environment professionals in Australia were undertaken in 2016 to assess the most likely issues that could arise with this new innovative technology. Findings: As a result, a greater understanding of the range of technical issues related to design, construction, maintenance and operation were identified, as well as the perceived importance of those issues. It was possible to identify the top ten technical issues built environment professionals are concerned about with regard to ABT. The results can inform future designers of ABT. Research limitations/implications: This research was restricted to the views of 24 experienced built environment practitioners in Sydney, Australia. None of whom had direct experience of Algae Building Technology. Though knowledgeable, a greater number of interviews may have identified other technical issues. Practical implications: No guidelines exist for Algae Building Technology, and this research identifies a comprehensive range of technical issues that need to be considered for the technology to function at optimum levels. As such, this is a starting point for built environment professionals who may be asked to provide professional advice and guidance. Originality/value: To date, no evaluation of Australian based built environment professionals has been conducted into the technical issues associated with Algae Building Technology.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | algae building technology; biomass; built environment professionals; climate change; solar thermal energy; technical issues |
| Index terms: | operation and maintenance, building technology, interview, bushfire, flooding, apartment building, building construction, Germany, practitioner, qualitative research, energy source, methodology, renewable energy source, climate change, consumption, thermal energy, new technology, carbon emission, Africa, efficiency, Australia, designer, fossil fuel, built environment, drought |
| Subjects: | regions and continents, energy systems, innovation and technology management, practitioner, climate science, consumer economics, engineering systems, research design and methodology, construction type, profession, data collection methods, thermal systems, environmental hazards, infrastructure and transport systems, building construction, Geography, performance management, research methods, maintenance engineering |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Construction Technology, Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Urban Studies, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here