Construction, Infrastructure & Cities

INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS THAT REGULATE THEIR OWN ENERGY USE

Adaptive buildings use less energy by regulating their own heating, cooling and lighting with intelligent sensor networks and motorised systems that automatically respond to changes in temperature and weather. Higher levels of self-optimisation can significantly reduce the amount of energy that large buildings consume, through intelligent shading and ventilation. The technology can enable buildings to harvest renewable energy and rain water.

Benefits: energy efficiency, water efficiency, carbon reduction
Innovators: Adaptive Building Initiative

See it in action: Campus of Justice (Madrid), Pearl River Tower (Pearl River Tower movie)

TRANSFORMING EXISTING CITIES

By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. Cities have a vital role to play in reducing our demands for energy and land, while improving quality of life.

Easy access to high quality public transport, local shops and services, and safe spaces for walking and cycling will also reduce carbon emissions and the need for private cars.

Freiburg, Germany’s “ecological capital”, has achieved some remarkable successes over the last 10 years:

• CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 10% per person
• public transport use has doubled
• 35% of residents choose not to have a car, and there are several car-free neighbourhoods
• all houses are low energy. Many generate their own renewable energy, and feed more into the local electricity grid than they use.

Several other cities are pioneering green solutions. New housing developments in Malmo, Sweden, include renewable energy, excellent public transport links and green space, including living roofs. Iceland’s capital Reykjavik is run entirely on green energy – the island’s geothermal resources provide most of its heating and electricity.

CARBON-NEUTRAL CEMENT

Cement manufacturing is responsible for around 5% of global carbon emissions – more than aviation. This innovative cement absorbs and stores carbon dioxide (CO₂) during the manufacturing process. With every tonne of cement made, it absorbs 100kg more CO₂ than its production emits.

Sequestering CO₂ in the built environment has enormous potential, helping to meet the growing global demand for housing and infrastructure development, and pressures to improve carbon capture and storage.

Benefits: carbon reduction
Innovators: Calera, Novacem (Watch interview)

FUNGAL BUILDING INSULATION

As oil prices rise, alternatives to petro-chemicals will become increasingly necessary and valuable. We will need innovative new construction materials made with renewable, energy efficient resources to replace existing products. US start-up Ecovative has patented ‘Greensulate’ – solid board insulation made from agricultural waste, bonded together by filamentous fungi. Using agricultural waste means Greensulate manufacturing doesn’t depend on fossil fuel and other non-renewable resources. Ecovative reports that Greensulate needs significantly less energy to manufacture than conventional synthetic insulating foam.

Innovators: Greensulate

SOLAR THERMAL AND WASTE HEAT AIR-CONDITIONING

Most commercial and public sector buildings around the world power their heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems using electricity. China’s Hangzhou Integration of Solar, Air and Water Technology Corporation has developed air-conditioning powered by solar power and waste heat. This system uses no electricity from fossil fuels, creating a significant opportunity for energy and carbon savings. The corporation estimates that China could save 30 million tonnes of CO₂ if their products made up 5% of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning market.

Benefits: energy efficiency, carbon reduction
Innovators: Hangzhou ISAW Technology Corporation