Kohler, N and Hassler, U (2012) Alternative scenarios for energy conservation in the building stock. Building Research & Information, 40(4), pp. 401-416. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Despite significant efforts involving design and regulatory targets, no significant reduction of overall primary energy consumption and carbon emissions has been realized in the European building stock since 1975. The improved performance of new buildings has been offset by the increased size of the stock and other rebound effects. Significant gaps exist in the data and understanding of building stocks' composition and dynamics as well as of the actual energy impacts of refurbishment. Most methods to address existing buildings and stocks are inappropriate as they are conceptually derived from new construction. The discussion about the relation between demand reduction and decarbonization of the energy supply needs to be extended specifically to consider existing buildings. New types of target systems based on the continuous control of effective performance are considered. An alternative scenario is proposed: long-term incremental changes and the formulation of technological options. This is based on continuous monitoring and systematic risk evaluation. The conservation of the physical, economic, social and cultural value of the building stock can only be reached through a comprehensive incremental transformation of the stock. A research agenda is explored to support this strategy.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building stock; carbon reduction; energy conservation; refurbishment; research agenda; risk; sustainable building; value conservation |
| Index terms: | carbon reduction, transformation, consumption, strategy, value conservation, conservation, dynamics, primary energy, rebound effect, energy conservation, building stock, sustainable building, research agenda, option, monitoring, carbon emission |
| Subjects: | environmental policy, sustainable construction, management, consumer economics, decision analysis, asset management, control systems, systems engineering, environmental resource management, research management, climate science, economic analysis, business, energy systems |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Risk Management, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Research Practice, Site Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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