GREEN INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS

This piece is taken from the introductory part of my paper that I have submitted almost a year ago for the final exam of the Energy Engineering 201 course which I have taken as a non-major subject. It was actually the third question and it went this way: "Develop one Energy Conservation Measure. Estimate the savings and costs to implement. Propose the enabling environment." While some went instantly into HVAC savings, battery-operated cars, smart appliances and the like, I have chosen Green Intelligent Buildings although I am not so familiar of the subject area and for one, I haven't seen one. Anyhow, I know there is already a growing interest for green domotics particularly among first world countries with, above anything else, the proper legislative support to facilitate its proper implementation. I figure, if the Philippines will adapt the same measures, then somehow we will be able to reduce energy consumption in the construction, operation and maintenance of our buildings while staying friendly to our environment. This, of course, is highly theoretical without considering the wide difference between the Philippines from the countries who have long implemented the program i.e., our financial capability and working knowledge. So, here it goes:

CONSERVATION MEASURE: BRIGHT GREEN BUILDINGS

A bright green building is one that is both intelligent and green. It is a building that uses both technology and process to create a facility that is safe, healthy and comfortable, and enables productivity and well being for its occupants. It provides timely, integrated system information for its owners so that they may make intelligent decisions regarding its operation and maintenance, and has an implicit logic that effectively evolves with changing user requirements and technology, ensuring continued and improved intelligent operation, maintenance and optimization. A bright green building is designed, constructed, and operated with minimum impact on the environment, with emphasis on conserving resources, using energy efficiently and creating healthy occupied environments. It must meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Sustainability is measured in three interdependent dimensions: environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and social responsibility. Bright green buildings exhibit key attributes of environmental sustainability to benefit present and future generations.

Inside Urban Green

In bright green buildings, fully networked systems transcend the simple integration of independent systems to achieve interaction across all systems, allowing them to work collectively, optimizing a building’s performance, and constantly creating an environment that is conducive to the occupants’ goals. Additionally, fully interoperable systems in these buildings tend to perform better, cost less to maintain, and leave a smaller environmental imprint than individual utilities and communication systems [Bright Green Buildings: Convergence of Green and Intelligent Buildings, CABA, 2008].

Sustainable building achievement relies on a fully-integrated, “whole building” approach to design, construction, and operation. Also referred to as green or high performance buildings, these facilities have several beneficial characteristics in common. These include:

1. Increased building efficiencies and energy, water and other resource savings
2. Reduced waste going to landfills or incineration
3. Satisfying, productive, quality indoor spaces
4. Education opportunities for building occupants about efficiency and conservation
5. Reduced environmental impacts
6. Enhanced economic performance

What Makes a Skyscraper Green?

ENERGY CONSERVATION PRACTICES (GREEN INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS)

Best energy conservation practices:

1. Building automation system
2. Energy efficient HVAC equipment
3. High efficiency lamps and/or ballasts and daylighting where practical
4. Reduced HVAC output during off hours
5. Occupant education
6. Heat recovery technology
7. Consolidated utility-bill pay software linked to building automation system’s energy-use monitoring

Additional energy conservation measures include:

1. ENERGY STAR® rated equipment
2. Occupancy sensor   
3. Car sharing service or shared rides for employees
4. High efficiency windows and/or solar window films
5. Computer facility management software
6. High reflectance, high emissivity roofing
7. Streamline hours of operation
8. New air filtration technologies
9. Water treatment programs
10. Cogeneration combined heat and power partnerships
11. Ozone strategies
12. Thermal Imaging

  

Living Homes: The Greenest of Them All

CREATION OF GREEN INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES

               

This act will institutionalize energy conservation and enhance the efficient use of energy in the country by adapting a nationwide program for existing buildings and new constructions. This act intends to develop the energy conservation programs for buildings by nationwide monitoring program, product labeling, energy efficiency promotion by LEED Certification, etc.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THIS ACT

·         Commercial Building Tax Deduction

• Established a tax deduction for expenses related to the design and installation of energy efficient building (LEED certified) systems

o   Building owners or tenants are eligible for a tax deduction of up to PhP90 per sq. ft. for the installation of systems that reduce total building energy costs by 50% or more compared to a reference building

o   Partial deductions of PhP30 per sq. ft. are available for improvements to one of three building systems that reduce total heating, cooling, ventilation, water heating and interior lighting energy use by specified percentages

·         Building Construction Standardization

•   Requires new construction and renovation projects to meet stringent national energy efficiency standards which exceed the existing energy code by 30% immediately and 50% by 2015

o   The act provides for 5% increases every 3 years through 2030, resulting in an eventual 75% reduction over current standards

o   Department of Energy can increase or decrease reduction targets based on feasibility

o   Local government codes must meet or exceed targets established by the act