BUILDING GREEN - PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES
BUILDING GREEN - PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES

CHANDRA PRAKASH KAMANA1- V.S.R.S SARMA SALAGRAMA2

chandraprakashk66@yahoo.in svsrssarma353@gmail.com

Dr. E.E ESCULTURA3 escultur36@yahoo.com 1&2: B.Tech Mechanical , G.V.P College of Engineering and Student Members,

Indian Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers, Visakhapatnam Chapter

3: Research Professor, Lakshmikantham Institute for Advanced Studies and Departments of Mathematics and Physics, GVP College of Engineering, JNT University, Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam, AP India

Abstract
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for future generations. A sustainable building, or green building is an outcome of a design which focuses on- environment friendly design, energy efficiency, water conservation, rain water harvesting, sewage treatment, recycling of treated effluent, zero waste water discharge, fire safety, excellent indoor air quality, day lighting, and building management including lighting controls by lux level as well as occupancy, and fresh air on demand.

Air conditioning consumes nearly 25% of world energy and a major contribution can be made by this industry towards reducing global warming. We keep our homes and work places cool in summer and warm in winter. The sum total of all our pollutions has already added half a million million tons of carbon-dioxide to the atmosphere which has changed the world so completely that hardly any of our decedents will be there to see it. We will be thinking selfishly only of welfare of humans and ignoring Gaia (A thin spherical shell of matter that surrounds the incandescent interior) have caused our own extinction. To overcome this situation, we all have to work to lessen the footprint of humans on earth.

The paper also includes the understanding of green practices opted in the GRUNDFOS Chennai (gold rated green building).

The OVERALL GOAL of this paper is learning how to deliver Planet Earth to the next generation so that it will be a cleaner and more energizing place than the planet we inherited.

Keywords: Sustainable development, Green building, Grand Unified Theory, LEED, GRUNFOS, dark matter

General introduction:

This paper is the third in the continuing series of papers on the theme, A FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. The theme has two components. One is on the green building movement and the advantages of green buildings with respect to energy conservation, enhancement of environmental health, utilization of waste, e.g., recycling, and, in the future, bioengineering to develop micro-organisms that can help clean up the environment. For example, some organism has been bioengineered to break up the molecules of oil spill so that it can be absorbed by the right compound and clean up the spill. A new metal-based organism that breathes metal has been discovered 2 miles underground in the mine field of South Africa up certain computer pollution. This paper and the first paper, BUILDING GREEN FOR SUSTAINABILITY, belong to this component. The other component is concerned with the generation and accumulation of value (wealth) to develop a particular society, India in this case. The second paper, SHIP BUILDING INDUSTRY IN INDIA & KOREA – A CASE STUDY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, belongs to the latter component.

108 volts per cm according engineer Seike, Jr.[7]. (For more on dark matter see [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])The theme has an underlying perspective: It stresses not only the importance of technology for industrial development but also gives priority to GUT-technology based on the conversion of dark to visible matter (GUT is grand unified theory [2]). Dark matter is not only abundant and inexhaustible and available everywhere in the Cosmos and around us but also clean and environment friendly. Just to have a sense of its abundance, the energy density of dark matter according the physicist De Broglie is I026 per cubic foot[7] or the equivalent of 1018 kg using relativistic conversion[6] or 8.8

Introduction

With the Industrial revolution of last 200 years, we have taken away much more from our Planet than in all the history of human race of several thousand years. The global Warming has resulted into a sick planet, and there are no medical facilities or treatment for curing the illness of the Earth except through human endeavor.

Climate change and its mitigation have become a prime concern for scientists and environmentalists the world over, for survival of human race on the Planet Earth. In India, Confederation of Indian Industries, under the aegis of the Indian Green Building Council, is addressing the climate change issue through the green building movement.[10]

Air conditioning consumes nearly 25% of world energy and a major contribution can be made by this industry towards reducing global warming. The world today is talking about moving from Green Buildings to ‘Z’ Buildings i.e Zero Energy Buildings or Carbon Neutral Buildings. Even though India has set the tone for this second green revolution by introduction of Mandatory EIA studies for large projects, initiatives by Bureau of Energy Efficiency and introduction of Green Building rating systems, however, it is important to involve our entire asset of one billiion people and lead the world[11].

Green concepts and techniques can help to address national issues like handling of consumer waste, water efficiency, reduction in fossil fuel use in commuting, energy efficiency and conserving natural resources. Most importantly, these concepts can enhance occupant health, happiness and wellbeing.

Residential sector is contributing 75-80% of the total real estate The housing requirement up to 2012 is estimated at Rs. 500,000 Cr. Green building practices adopted in residential buildings can substantially reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts. As an added benefit, green homes reduce operating costs, enhance marketability in case of residential apartments, and reduce health problems.

LEED:

Indian Green Building Council has been the initiative of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for promoting green buildings in India. The Indian Green Building Council has active association with the USGBC in forming the rating system in India. The vision of the IGBC is to serve as a single point service provider and be a key engine to facilitate all green buildings in India.[10]

The Leadership in Energy and Environment Design Green building rating system is a nationally and internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. To facilitate the adoption of green building practices relevant to the local climate and regional practices, IGBC is working on the development of new rating programs. The launch of the ‘IGBC Green Homes’ rating system is an important step in this direction[9,12].

LEED-India started in the year 2003 with three types of rating systems viz., for new constructions (Government and corporate sector); for Core and shell (Malls, IT parks etc.) and for Green Homes (Residential).

LEED Rating program Type of Building

LEED India for New Construction Residential buildings of 4 or more habitable stories

LEED India for Core & Shell Rented/ Leased commercial buildings

LEED for commercial Interiors Tenant or self-occupied spaces

LEED for existing buildings Existing buildings occupied for at least 2 years

Rating System:

In LEED v2.2 for new construction and major renovations for commercial buildings there are 69 possible points and buildings can qualify for four levels of certification:

Platinum (52-69 points)

Gold (39-51 points)

Silver (33-38 points)

Certified (26-31points)

The above points/credits are given based on six categories

• Sustainable sites

• Water efficiency

• Energy and atmosphere

• Material and resources

• Indoor environmental quality

• Innovation and design process

In each of the above six categories there are subsets, such as development density and community connectivity or storm water design, consisting of different credit worth a certain amount of points. According to World green building council report, the Platinum rated building consumes 50% less energy and 30% less potable water than a conventional building.

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Green Material and equipment to achieve energy efficient building:

Green design involves the creation of products and systems that leave a light footprint on the environment over the full life cycle. Green materials are always better for the health of occupants or the environment. Good green architecture also reduces waste of energy, water and materials.

A few green materials and equipments are available in the country. To name a few – Fly-ash cement, Fly-ash block, Recycled Aluminum, Recycled Steel, Recycled tiles, Low VOC paints, Bamboo based products, HFC based high efficiency chillers, Building Controls, Green Roof, Recycled wood, etc. Materials not available in our country are – Composting toilets, waterless urinals, Low VOC adhesives & sealants, CRI certified carpets, FSC Certified Wood, High albedo roof paints, BIPV, CTI certified cooling towers, Living machines etc.

To increase the efficiency of the building envelope, high efficiency windows, insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors are used. Higher efficiency appliances and other electric devices not only lowers direct energy use but also lowers cooling loads in the summer by producing less waste heat.

The total estimated potential for Green Building materials and equipment is about 400 Million US $ by the year 2010[11]. This potential is only for those buildings, which would go for the LEED rated buildings.

However, there would be other buildings also which would opt for green materials and equipment. Considering these buildings also, the overall potential for Green Building materials and equipment would be at least 10-fold and estimated to touch 4000 Millions US $ BY 2010.

Green building Benefits:

With the growing awareness on green buildings, the green building movement is well poised to reach greater heights. The penetration of green building concepts and the quantum jump in the green building footprints offers many challenges and at the same time presents tremendous opportunities. The stakeholders of the construction industry need to be well equipped to measure up to these opportunities. As more green building activities are being initiated to further the green movement, the country is well positioned to emerge as one of the world leaders in green buildings.

The effective green building can lead to:

• Water savings to the tune of 30-50%

• Energy savings to the tune of 20-30%

• Excellent day lighting

• Enhanced ventilation

• Water efficient Green cover

• Effective waste management

• Health and wellbeing of the occupants

• Green homes rating tool can also enhance marketability of the project.

• Promote local/regional materials and thereby local industries.

• Utilize recycled and reused materials thus reducing impact on virgin materials.

Thus, reduced operating costs, Reduced environmental impacts, improved public and occupant health.

Case study: Grundfos Green Building

At Grundfos India, One such initiative towards better environmental practice is this Green Building. It is certified by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as a "GOLD - LEED" rated building. The Grundfos Pumps corporate office in Thorapakkam, Chennai is the “First Green Building in Tamil Nadu” and the “Third Green Building in India.”[8]

Salient features of Grundfos Green Building:

Energy and atmosphere

Energy:

Double skin brick wall with 25mm air cavity. Double-glazed low U glass to minimize the heat ingress into the building.

HVAC:

HFC based chillers of high COP(2.7).Thermal storage system to minimize energy consumption of the building and support electricity demand management.

Optimum energy consumption:

By adhering to the above measures, the building would consume 25% less energy compared to a conventional building.

Indoor environmental quality

Environment tobacco smoke control:

No smoking is allowed in the entire building complex. Continuous monitoring and maintaining fresh air in all occupied areas around 15-20 CFM per person.

CO2 monitoring:

Sensors at various locations to monitor co2 level in all occupied areas.

Low emitting materials:

Low VOC sealant/composite woods/paints have been used to maintain the indoor environmental quality.

Daylight and views:

95% daylight and views through windows for at least 95% of regularly occupied areas.

Material and resources

Resource rescue:

More than 10% of the building materials are refurbished/salvaged from offices to minimize the use of virgin materials.

Recyled content:

More than 60% of materials used in the building has got high percentage of recycled e.g., Acoustic ceiling, steel. glass, ceramic title, MDF wood.

Regional materials:

More than 60% of the building materials are sourced within 500 miles from the project site to support the local economy and minimize the transportation leading to automobile pollution.

Rapidly renewable materials:

Building uses MDF wood, which is made of rapidly renewable materials like eucalyptus and others.

Water efficiency

Water efficiency landscaping:

Zero discharge building(100% waste water recycling)

Native plants to minimize water requirement for irrigation

High efficiency irrigation system like sprinklers and drip.

Water use reduction:

43% reduction in water usage by using water efficient fittings dual flush toilet, sensor based urinals and waterless urinals, low flow fixtures etc.

Site ecology

Limited building foot print to have ,ore open spaces for landscaping

Shower and changing facilities for the bicyclist

Battery operated vehicle’s charging facility

Rainwater recharge pits to ensure Zero discharge to municipal drainage

Provided shading for the impervious areas to minimize the heat island effect.

GRUNDFOS LEED Report:

Out of possible 69 points, Grundfos achieved 42 points thereby achieving GOLD LEED rating.

Green Practices in Our College

1. By adapting the above green features we are planning to construct green cafeteria in our campus.

2. We are changing the lighting in to led lighting in our campus.

3. We are adapting the sewage treatment plant.

Challenges:

Indian construction sector growth rate is more than 10% as against the world average of around 6% and if green buildings are to obtain a permanent foothold in the Indian construction industry, however, they will need to be economically viable.

There are inadequate number of professionals and technology in the country.

As per the government statistics, India is losing around 2000 patents every year in environment sector due to lack of interest by the professionals.[13]

Most of the energy wastage is happening in government buildings therefore the energy audit should be conducted in all the government establishments.

Not much of publications and books are available on the subject and this area is to be addressed.

No proper guidance for public about Wastage management.

Fortunately, the new science, Grand Unified Theory, has brought us to the threshold of a new technological Epoch that can provide an alternative source of energy – the free, inexhaustible and pollution-free dark matter that pervades the entire Cosmos.

Suggestions:

To accelerate the Green Building Movement, the following actions are essential.

Corporate sector should feel the moral responsibility to promote the cause of environment conservation for the benefit of future generations.

Municipal corporations should set internal standards for green buildings within their limits.

It is necessary to make next generation more aware regarding efficient use of energy resources and create platform to show the Green Building materials and equipment to general public as awareness program.

The government should give incentives for constructing green buildings and to the manufacturers of green material and equipment and bring awareness among the masses.

Electronic media and press should take a major role in awareness programmes.

There should be growth in green building organizations, arranging the professional conference and seminars to bring awareness.

In addition to these, GUT (Grand Unified Theory) technology also becomes helping tool for Pollution free Environment. By adapting GUT technology we can accelerate Green Building Movement to a considerable extent.

The GUT completely explained about some of the unsolved phenomena which include explanation about ‘Oil, Carbon and life’, ‘Heat, fire and their propagation’ etc. The advantageous applications of GUT technology includes (1) free energy power plant fueled by dark-to-visible matter conversion, (2) Magnetic hover (3) Bus power regenerator (4) Electric and motor that deliver more power than input. In the last category the difference is due to conversion of dark to visible matter[3].

References

1. Escultura, E. E., From macro to quantum gravity, Problems of Nonlinear Analysis in Engineering Systems, 7(1), 2001,48 – 79.

831.2. Escultura, E. E., The grand unified theory, A-Series: Theory, Methods and Applications, 69(3), 2008, 823

3. Escultura, E. E., The Pillars of the new physics and some updates, Nonlinear Studies, 14(3), 2007, 241 – 260.

4. Escultura, E. E., The grand unified theory, contribution to the Felicitation Volume on the occasion of the 85th birth anniversary of Prof. V. Lakshmikantham: Nonlinear Analysis: Theory, Methods and Applications, TMA, 69(3), 2008, 823 – 831.

5. Escultura, E. E. The mathematics of the grand unified theory, Nonlinear Analysis A-Series: Theory, Methods and Applications, 71 (2009), e420 – e431.

6. Gerlovin, I. L. (1990) The Foundations of United Theory of Interactions in a Substance, Leningrad: Energoattomizdat.

7. Nieper, H. A. (1983) Revolution in Technology, Medicine and Society, Management Interessengemeinschaftfür Tachyon-Feld-Energie, Odenburg, FRG.

8. Grundfos Green Building, Chennai.

9. LEED-INDIA Green Building Rating System version 1.0 for new construction and major renovations

10. Confederation of Indian industry CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Center, hyd.

11. The handbook on Green practices-ISHRAE Visakhapatnam chapter.

12. Abridged reference guide ‘IGBC Green Homes Rating System 1.0

13. India today,(telugu) 30 june 2009.