Editorial Feature

Powering the Construction Industry with Renewable Energy

Image Credits: goodluz/shutterstock.com

The construction industry is more progressive than other sectors when it comes to investing in and utilizing renewable energy. Solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal energies are all being explored and in some cases, championed in the construction sector.

Reliance on Fossil Fuel-Based Energy

There is a global recognition in the industry that rely on fossil fuel-based energy has become untenable. Haven Power, a major business supplier in the UK construction sector, conducted a survey of major firms in 2018. The survey revealed that over 60% back renewable energy solutions, with 3 out of 5 of the major firms selected endorsing the idea of selling unused energy back to the UK National Grid. However, the UK construction industry is not alone in this forward-thinking attitude.

In 2018 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change produced a special report that was cited during a meeting at the UN General Assembly in March 2019. The report gave humanity approximately 11 years to reverse the environmental damage caused by human-made carbon emissions since the Industrial Revolution.

The global construction sector has not ignored this report. China has become the largest producer, exporter, and installer of solar panels, wind turbines, back up batteries and electric vehicles, with many of their older smoke-stack based construction sites and energy plants being replaced with greener alternatives. As of 2016, the country owned over 150,000 renewable energy patents (29% of the global total) indicating a clear strategy of investment in clean technologies and renewable energy sources.

The US Construction Sector

The US construction sector has been making its advances as well. In 2015 a survey conducted by the US Department of Energy concluded that the country’s construction sector was responsible for 40% of total energy consumption in the USA. This served as a minor ‘wake up’ call to the sector, encouraging more investment in greener construction practices and on-site renewable energy sources.

Low impact building materials, modular building to reduce waste, LEED-certified structures (Leading in Energy and Environmental Design) and energy-saving tech like Hexocover have all been introduced throughout the US construction industry and beyond. Hexocover itself has reduced energy waste in mining by solving water evaporation in mining tailings ponds.

At the same time, the technology generates energy utilizing solar panels providing stored energy for battery reserves. The application of this and similar green technologies around the world is exciting and can further help in the battle to prevent climate change.

Renewable Energy and the Construction Industry

When it comes to renewable energy and the construction industry, everything begins with the design process. Architects today consider factors including, natural light, rooftop solar panels, smart windows, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and water heaters. Construction sites globally are working to adopt a circular economy model.

The circular economy’s primary goal is to ensure each stage of any project feeds into the next stage without creating any waste or redundant materials, including energy. Building designs working to this model are tailored to be restorative, produce low waste, and either recycle or store energy.

Policy Changes

Recent policy changes in both the US and UK markets have caused a minor slow down in the construction and utilization of wind farms, particularly onshore. As a result, renewable energy has become more expensive to procure in some areas of the sector.

Fortunately, the construction sector knows it has a big role to play in helping to move the world away from reliance on fossil fuels and adopt cleaner energy practices. The future maintains a glimmer of hope as more and more construction firms increase their investment and reliance on renewable and energy-efficient technologies.

Sources and Further Reading

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.

John Allen

Written by

John Allen

John is an award-winning writer and speaker. He holds a BA Hons. in Theological Studies from the University of Exeter as well as diplomas from the London School of Journalism and the Open University. John has worked in both the healthcare and digital sectors researching and writing about the latest developments in life sciences, robotics, space exploration, and nanotechnology.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Allen, John. (2020, October 06). Powering the Construction Industry with Renewable Energy. AZoBuild. Retrieved on October 16, 2024 from https://www.azobuild.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8338.

  • MLA

    Allen, John. "Powering the Construction Industry with Renewable Energy". AZoBuild. 16 October 2024. <https://www.azobuild.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8338>.

  • Chicago

    Allen, John. "Powering the Construction Industry with Renewable Energy". AZoBuild. https://www.azobuild.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8338. (accessed October 16, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Allen, John. 2020. Powering the Construction Industry with Renewable Energy. AZoBuild, viewed 16 October 2024, https://www.azobuild.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8338.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this article?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.