Life Cycle Energy and Environmental Assessment of Commercial Buildings in Thailand

Name: Oyeshola F. Kofoworola

keyword: Life cycle assessment

Abstract: To minimize the environmental impacts of construction and simultaneously move closer to sustainable development in the society, the life cycle assessment of buildings is essential. In order to carry out the research, a combination of input-output and process analysis was used in assessing the potential environmental impact associated with the system under study according to the IS014040 methodology. The study covered the whole life cycle including material production, construction, occupation, maintenance, demolition, and disposal. The inventory data was simulated in an LCA model and the environmental impacts for each stage computed. Three environmental impact categories considered relevant to the Thailand context were evaluated, namely global warming potential, acidification potential and photo-oxidant formation potential. A 50-year service time was assumed for the building cases study analyzed. The results of the study showed that steel and concrete are the most significant materials both in terms of quantities used, and also for their associated environmental impacts at the manufacturing stage. Together, they accounted for 24% and 47% of the global warming potential respectively. Additionally, of the total photo-oxidant formation potential, they accounted for approximately 41% and 30%; and, of the total acidification potential, 37% and 42% respectively. Analysis also revealed that the life cycle environmental impacts of commercial buildings are dominated by the operation stage, which accounted for approximately 52% of the total global warming potential, about 66% of the total acidification potential and about 71% of the total photo-oxidant formation potential respectively. The results indicate that the principal contributor to the impact categories during the operations phase were emissions related to fossil fuel combustion, particularly for electricity production. The life cycle distribution of environmental impacts is concentrated at the operational stage of the building. This correlates strongly with the energy requirement for operating the building. Energy and environmental improvement opportunities were explored. The results obtained indicated that significant reductions in the environmental impacts of buildings could be achieved through the practice of simple no-cost energy conservation measures such as operating office building air conditioning systems at set point temperatures close to the standard indoor room set point temperature of 26?C, and the practice of load shedding. Other measures which can significantly reduce the operational energy requirement of buildings are optimal Window to Wall area sizing (WWR), the use of energy efficient appliances as well as the use of window glazing materials with low solar heat gain coefficients. A significant issue which should be addressed is the use of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics to minimize the energy requirements of buildings. Over the life cycle of buildings, the recycling of building materials can also contribute to a reduction of the energy and environmental profile of office buildings in Thailand.

King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi. KMUTT Library.

Address: BANGKOK

Email: info.lib@mail.kmutt.ac.th

Name: Shabbir H. Gheewala

Created: 2553-01-31

Modified: 2553-01-31

Issued: 2553-01-31

วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

application/pdf

CallNumber: JGSEE124

tha

DegreeName: Doctor of Philosophy

Level: Doctoral Degree

Descipline: Environmental Technology

Grantor: King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi

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