The Use of Renewable Sources of Energy in the Construction of Green Buildings Paper Example

Section 1: To Investigate the Use of Renewable Sources of Energy in the construction of Green Buildings

1.1 Introduction

Eco-construction is the use of sustainable contrition. Eco-construction is used in green building as it involves the use of renewable resources to reduce the overall environmental impacts of the entire built environment (Kusnir, Kosicanova,& Vranay, 2013). Green buildings combine the use of materials, techniques, and technologies to enhance the environmental performance of the buildings by using energy efficient technologies, limiting water consumption and maximizing the use of recycled and nontoxic materials while limiting waste. On the other hand, a green building is sustainable building because the design, construction, renovation, or use is made to efficient in terms of specific resource and ecological aspects (Koroneos, Xydis,&Polyzakis, 2013). This also related to the economic field, in which a sustainable economy covers a system in which the expenditures are always less or the income to ensure that a given business unit does not record any form of loss (Alvarenga, Costa & Lobo, 1996).

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The concept can further be demonstrated by understanding it from the social context whereby the government and environmental stewards empower the members of a given social system participate in environmental stewardship. All these aspects revolve around the use of resources effectively and sparingly while the focus has not changed from the time the plans were unveiled. The companies in the construction industry can play a major role in promoting the adoption of renewal energy and crusading for environmental conservation as part of their CSR (Esen, & Yuksel, 2013). This is because the decisions and actual practical applications they accomplish at personal levels have a significant repercussion which can be felt even at the global scale (Refahi,&Talkhabi, 2015). There are policies and laws that were created to specifically address issues such as environmental conservation

1.2 Background of the Study

Energy efficiency is one of the major concerns and essential components of a green building. Research reveals that it has been considered as one of the determinants of success in competing for a related project. A green building requires additional solution-based fittings whose roles are to offer an enhanced electrical energy management and consumption and to supply of quality energy (Aboulnaga, 2006). The use of renewable sources of energy has been hampered by the current limited output that cannot be adequate for running large construction industry machines. The use of such forms of energy serves as a way of ensuring satisfaction with the significant energy needs while remembering the need to conserve the environment (D'Oca, Hong ,& Langevin, 2018). The main forms of energy which contributes to the occurrence of a green environment include wind power, solar power, geothermal power, biomass power, and the hydraulic power. There have been several arguments in support of the use of renewable energy sources in the construction of the green building because it is consistent with the green building objectives. This study will, therefore, investigate the benefits and cost of replacing non renewable energy in the construction of green building and recommend to the construction companies the most costs effective, efficient, and sustainable sources of energy to be used in the construction of green building.

1.3 Research Questions

The researcher will seek to answer the following research question:

• Is it feasible to use the renewable sources of energy in the construction of green buildings?
• What are the trade-offs in terms of cost, efficiency and quality?

1.4 The Research Aim and Objectives

The aim of the research is to investigate the feasibility of the use of renewable energy sources in the construction of the green building. The objectives of the study Include are to determine:

• The theoretical and practical implications of the green building concept
• The factors that drive the adoption of green building
• The types of renewable energy sources that can be used in the construction of green building
• The benefits and costs associated with the use of renewable energy in the contribution of green building.
• Recommend the most suitable renewable sources of energy to use in the construction of green buildings
• To determine how the use of non-renewable energy sources in green building can be prevented and stopped.
• Recommend a direction for future research on the use of renewable energy in the construction of the green building.

1.5 Importance of the Study

The study is important because it would fill a literature gap because currently, there is no study that has particularly investigated the feasibility of using renewable energy sources in the construction of the green building. The study would also be of importance to the construction and engineering companies as it would provide them with a reliable information on the feasibility and benefits of using renewable sources of energy in the construction of the green building. Finally, the report will be part of the government's blueprint in their effort to promote the adoption of green technology and

Section 2: Literature Review

2.1 Natural Construction

The construction of a natural green building must satisfy the additional imperatives; these include the ability of the architecture to adapt to the landscape as well as its measurable data alongside the usage of the natural materials, which can possibly be renewable. According to Alvarenga, Costa & Lobo (1996), the existence of natural data is necessary to influence the choice of the given site. On this note, the various forms of architectural constructions should be inspired by natural aspects, rather than the visual aspects which appear as artificial (Bammert, 1980). Building projects which utilize the natural techniques utilize the materials that are provided by nature. Never the less, Tarajokwski (1993) argued that replacing the artificial materials which are rather pollutants and synthetic by these natural materials, the applications become highly recommended based on their ability to conserve the environment and its resources. As a result of this considerable shift, the associated organizations will, therefore, be able to handle very enough materials which consume comparatively small amounts of energy in the course of their usage (Johansson, 1994). Natural materials in this context are used to refer to the renewable raw materials whose use in the building can fit in requirements of traditional methods of craftsmanship as well as the modern building techniques.

2.2 Passive Building

The phrase "passive building" is used to mean a standard of construction which can be achieved through the use of several construction material types (Bammert, 1980). It can also be taken to mean construction of a green building guaranteeing an interior climate which is utilized as comfortable in specific seasons (Hanzely, 1994). For instance, the condition of the climate experienced during summer is more comfortable than it is in winter in which the conventional heating system is lacking (Tarajokwski, 1993). The need for the passive aspect of the green building is focused on the reduction of the consumption of energy in the various residential buildings. This is normally achieved by harnessing a passive contribution of solar energy, reinforcing the existence of a building insulation, the use of renewable sources of energy and recuperation of heat. The individual passive houses are usually associated with a unique feature of compactness (Bammert, 1980). This is one strategy through which the construction professionals have been able to achieve a low level of consumption of energy. Achieving success in the building of a passive green building requires that the architectures satisfy a number of requirements in the course (Paska & Surma, 2014). For instance, they must maintain the quality triple glazed windows high, the capture of the passive solar energy during the building orientation and a two-way mechanical ventilation system fitted with a proper rate of heat recuperation for a favorable flow of water and air.

2.3 Renewable Energy and their Usage in Green Building

There are several forms of renewable energy that can be used in the construction of green buildings (Xia, Zhu, &Lin, 2008). The most common forms include solar energy, wind power, hydroelectricity energy, biomass, hydrogen, and fuel cells, geothermal power and several other forms of energy.

2.3.1 Solar Power Systems

Solar energy refers to the source associated with the water and wind cycles. Connecting solar systems to the electricity grid enables the photovoltaic (PV) system to supply electricity to the necessary parts of the building and any other daytime excess may as well be exported to the given grid (Tarajokwski, 1993). The application of the solar energy in building construction or energy supply does not require the use of batteries because the grid is always able to supply any extra demand (McHugh, 1989). However, at times, there is the need to enjoy independence, which may require that battery storage is connected to provide light at night. The installation of the solar heating systems can be achieved in buildings irrespective of the types (Hilgartner, 1990). There is the need to make sure that solar power is made to pre-heat outside the air it gets into a building; this is a strategic approach which can reduce heating costs considerably in both residential buildings and commercial constructions.

The efficiency of the solar heating system is specifically experienced in the cases of large buildings like hospitals, school hangars and gyms, and the multi-story residential buildings. There is the need to increase the scale of the availability of solar electricity which binds engineers and scientists globally to be able to develop a solar cell which can be operated at a significantly low-cost (Johansson, 1994). A proper implementation of the heating solar system in the various building currently relies on the installation of effective solar cells. These aspects enable the use of the solar energy as a green aspect of a building.

2.3.2 Wind Power

Wind power can be used to drive building and construction machine that required electric power example, wind power can be ha...