Energy efficiency: A new industry in the making

With a few exceptions, it is inherent in the nature of business to look for new opportunities to grow and add to what already exists. In boom times, this is a way of increasing profitability by expanding operations. In lean times, new opportunities may mean survival when traditional business is simply not enough.

Generally new opportunities become apparent just by looking at existing activities or endeavours in a new way. Occasionally, genuinely new activities or endeavours manifest, and the proactive and adaptable will be the first to harness the opportunities that come with novelty.

It would not be strictly true to say that energy efficiency in buildings is a novelty. For as long as humanity has been trying to keep its habitats warm in cold climates, there has been a degree of thought and effort going into energy efficiency. What is probably true however, is that nowhere in recorded history, has energy efficiency become such a widespread and urgent concept.

The term energy efficiency  means using less energy to provide the same level of energy service. In the case of buildings, energy is almost always used for lighting, heating and / or cooling. Additional activities specific to a particular building, such a cooking or manufacturing, also require energy. 

The reason that energy efficiency, in buildings and elsewhere, has become so critical is that the true cost of energy is becoming more fully understood. Non-renewable energy sources are becoming depleted. Oil, coal and gas are being used up and become more expensive and more tightly controlled as they become more rare.

Perhaps more alarming, is that power generation generally produces carbon emissions which contribute to global warming and climate change. There is a growing collective comprehension that this is simply no longer sustainable.

South Africa experienced an interesting additional ”prod” factor. After decades of cheap electricity, the lights went out. Demand outstripped supply and the term load shedding became widely known. This problem has only been kept in abeyance by the reduced commercial and industrial activity resulting from the global economic crisis. Any further significant growth in the next four years will see further load shedding  

So, buildings need to become more energy efficient. The Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) launched an energy saving strategy in 2005 and this is currently being updated. Although there are strong hopes that awareness campaigns will stimulate voluntary compliance, it is widely recognised that ultimately enforcement will be required to ensure that energy savings ttragets are reached. This is the trend worldwide. The first South African standard dealing with energy efficiency for buildings (SANS 204) was launched last year and the second edition is already being worked on.
 
The DME, and others in government, are speaking about creating a whole new industry around the practice of energy efficiency. This is an activity that needs to become commonplace, and is extremely under-serviced at the moment.

Energy efficiency in buildings will obviously be a part of that. The design of buildings needs to change to be less dependent on non-renewable energy to be habitable. Natural lighting, ventilation and good insulation need to become standard practice. Water heating needs to become significantly more efficient and water in general needs to be used more sparingly.

There is an opportunity knocking. Builders and designers who are up to speed with the necessary technologies and methodologies that promote energy efficiency will have a head start. Some forward thinking clients are already demanding high performance buildings inthis regard. It is just a matter of time before these specifications become the norm.

Brandon Abdinor | Executive Director

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