[Bldg-sim] General query - impact of location on energy demand

[Justin Spencer]

I'm not directly on topic here, but I think the interesting question from a
planning perspective is more like this:
Where can human settlement be done most inexpensively in a
carbon-constrained world? I.e. When you combine the variety of
weather/climate drivers on energy consumption with the availability of
carbon-free energy supplies, where are the least expensive places to
develop?

For example, if you looked at Labrador and Newfoundland, you'd say they
look relatively energy intensive (brutally cold, long winters), but they
have cheap hydropower, so building there might make some sense. Hot dry
desert cities (like Phoenix) have high cooling energy intensities, but
their solar resource is excellent. I think this partially gets at part of
Jim's argument -- it's not the energy that's the issue, it's the negative
externalities (carbon emissions included) that are the issue. You might get
a misleading result if you don't include the carbon-free energy
availability dimension in your analysis.

If you combine a map you could generate from a passive energy screening
tool with a map of carbon-free energy availability you could come up with
something fairly compelling.

On Fri, Sep 26, 2014 at 8:52 AM, Dr Yi Zhang <yi at jeplus.org> wrote:

> Dear Jeetendra,
>
>
>
> You may be interested in this paper:
> http://www.bso14.org/BSO14_Papers/BSO14_Paper_071.pdf, where wide range
> of building forms are compared in all 17 ASHRAE 90.1 climate zones. Figure
> 5 in the paper may be a direct answer to your question 1 (and possibly 2),
> where you can see (office) buildings consumes on average 1/4 -1/3 of energy
> in temperate climates compared to the same buildings in the subarctic (zone
> 8) and the very hot (zone 1) climates.
>
>
>
> Please note that this study was not designed for assessing the impact of
> climate, and it has only considered office buildings of the modern
> construction type. There are many complex factors in play; so you should
> not take those numbers literally. However, the importance of climate is
> well known in this community, and it should not be difficult to find
> literature on this subject. Come to think of it, looking up “zero carbon
> buildings” and where they’ve been realized, may help you find answers to
> question 2.
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
>
>
> Yi Zhang
>
> Energy Simulation Solutions Ltd.
>
>
>
> *From:* Bldg-sim [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Jeetendra Kumar
> *Sent:* 26 September 2014 14:57
>
> *To:* bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Bldg-sim] General query - impact of location on energy
> demand
>
>
>
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> Javed: Thank you for sharing the publication titles. Shall check soon.
>
>
>
> Jim: I assume you are following the developments closely -
> http://c40.org/blog_posts/global-mayors-compact-shows-unity-and-ambition-to-tackle-climate-change.
> But I agree, we should be scientific in our approach. I often think of an
> argument - Can we handle the consequences if we are wrong about ignoring
> global warming? But, even if I go by the perspective of energy only, the
> question remains valid (PS). If emissions was the reason for your "No",
> please let me know your answer now. Besides, do send your comments on what
> Brian shared earlier as it shows that location does have an impact, if I am
> not missing something there.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Jeetendra.
>
>
>
> PS: Can our understanding of the impact of location on energy, esp due to
> natural factors, be used for planning where should we build cities in
> future, to conserve energy?
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> From: jim at buildingperformanceteam.com
> To: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
> Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:52:08 -0500
> Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] General query - impact of location on energy demand
>
> Jeetendra,
>
> My opinion regarding your question: No (Impact of location on energy is
> not specially relevant.)
>
>
>
> I wonder about your assumptions: I’ve seen sources which say that the
> globe has not warmed in over a decade.  This is different than many climate
> models’ predictions and suggests that we don’t understand very well the
> impact of humans on the globe’s climate. One of my ardent wishes is that
> the climate discussion would become more scientific and less political.  At
> the moment, it seems hard to filter data from polemic.
>
> I think it is very important to use resources wisely for a variety of
> reasons other than “climate change”, but principal among them is to promote
> human flourishing.  Energy is a GOOD thing and even has a strong
> correlation to health and prosperity; limiting it’s availability, as has
> been part of recent discussion in the US, for many parts of the world might
> mean that they remain without refrigeration or reasonable heating and
> cooling  – not so good for those people’s health and well-being.  Wasteful
> use or polluting are a different matter than thoughtful use.  I haven’t
> thought this through in great detail, but it seems that wise use of energy
> in one country makes more available for others at lower cost.  I like that
> thought.
>
>
>
>
>
> *James V Dirkes II, PE, BEMP, LEED AP*
> *www.buildingperformanceteam.com*
> <http://www.buildingperformanceteam.com/>
> *Energy Analysis, Commissioning & Training Services*
> 1631 Acacia Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 USA
> 616 450 8653
>
>
>
> *From:* Bldg-sim [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Javed Iqbal
> *Sent:* Thursday, September 25, 2014 1:12 PM
> *To:* Jeetendra Kumar
> *Cc:* bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Bldg-sim] General query - impact of location on energy
> demand
>
>
>
> I would recommend referring following research papers on comfort benchmark
> worldwide. These are available on Elsevier:
>
>
>
> *Comfort assessment in the context of sustainable buildings: Comparison of
> simplified and detailed human thermal sensation methods*
>
>
>
> *Thermal comfort conditions in sustainable buildings e Results of a
> worldwide survey of users’ perceptions*
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Sep 25, 2014 at 9:58 PM, Jeetendra Kumar <jitendra_kr at hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> Thank you for the responses.
>
>
>
> Brian: your reply shows a comparison which I was looking for, although the
> data you shared seems different from what's available from EIA and Eurostat.
>
>
>
> Jim: Thanks for pointing out the "comfort expectations" aspect. This adds
> a dimension that seems difficult to analyze - gap analysis for different
> locations. Please share if you can suggest any source for comfort
> benchmarks.
>
>
>
> Shanta: for conciseness, I'd skipped what you pointed out, but sure this
> has to be accounted for. Thanks for pointing this out. Also, for suggesting
> the ASHRAE tables and the link.
>
>
>
> Jeremiah: didn't know about the link. Thanks. Shall try checking that
> soon.
>
> Well, I would like to ask you the following question(the reason for my
> earlier questions):
>
>
>
> Do you think our understanding of the impact of location on energy and
> emissions, esp due to natural factors, can be used for planning where
> should we build cities in future, to fight global warming?
>
>
>
> For now, just a no/yes is fine.
>
>
>
> Looking forward to your views.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Jeetendra.
> ------------------------------
>
> From: jcrossett at phasechange.com
> Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 10:15:57 -0700
> To: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
>
>
> Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] General query - impact of location on energy demand
>
> If you do not already know about this- there is a weather related comfort
> tool called climate consultant that you may want to look into. It uses EPW
> files and shows general passive design strategies effectiveness.
> http://www.energy-design-tools.aud.ucla.edu/climate-consultant/request-climate-consultant.php
>
> [image: Image removed by sender.]
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *​​*
>
> *Jeremiah D. Crossett  | Senior Analyst  | LEED Green Associate *
>
> *​​*
>
> *120 E. Pritchard St.  | Asheboro, NC 27203 *
>
> *​​*
>
> * | Mobile 503-688-8951
> <http://t.signauxdix.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJW7t5XZs7fsSWFW2zhwS464kk0PW7fclSC56dwwdf1lZNNg02?t=&si=5361128285667328&pi=17485cbd-34b0-49ab-997c-4aa8e4864108>*
>
> *www.phasechange.com
> <http://t.signauxdix.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJW7t5XZs7fsSWFW2zhwS464kk0PW7fclSC56dwwdf1lZNNg02?t=http://www.phasechange.com/&si=5361128285667328&pi=17485cbd-34b0-49ab-997c-4aa8e4864108> *
>
>   [image: Image removed by sender.]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 24, 2014 at 10:00 AM, Jim Dirkes <
> jim at buildingperformanceteam.com> wrote:
>
> In addition to Shanta’s comments, consider that “comfort” is not the same
> around the world.  I spoke with a colleague not long ago who indicated that
> 30C was acceptable for many buildings in Pune, India.  That is not true for
> most of North America!  Other countries will probably also have differing
> comfort expectations.
>
>
> *James V Dirkes II, PE, BEMP, LEED AP*
> *www.buildingperformanceteam.com*
> <http://www.buildingperformanceteam.com/>
> *Energy Analysis, Commissioning & Training Services*
> 1631 Acacia Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 USA
> 616 450 8653
>
>
>
> *From:* Bldg-sim [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Shanta Tucker
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 24, 2014 12:46 PM
> *To:* Jeetendra Kumar; bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Bldg-sim] General query - impact of location on energy
> demand
>
>
> Jeetendra,
>
> For item 2, I suggest that you review a table of heating and cooling
> degree days. These tables are published in the ASHRAE Handbook of
> Fundamentals and include cities from all over the world. The cities with
> the lowest of each will form the answer to your question.
>
> For item 1, I recommend that you revise your question as it is not
> possible to build the same building in every climate. Different
> countries/cities have building codes that would restrict you from doing so.
> But if you want to have some fun, you could take the prototypical building
> models and simulate them for the different cities you are interested in.
> http://www.energycodes.gov/commercial-prototype-building-models
>
>
>
> --
> Shanta Tucker, PE, LEED AP BD+C, ASHRAE BEMP
> Associate Director
>
> Atelier Ten
> Environmental Design Consultants + Lighting Designers
>
> 45 East 20th Street, 4th Floor
> New York NY 10003
> T +1 (212) 254 4500 x 210
> F +1 (212) 254 1259
> shanta.tucker at atelierten.com
>
> www.atelierten.com
>
>
>
> *From:* Bldg-sim [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
> <bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org>] *On Behalf Of *Jeetendra Kumar
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 24, 2014 12:11 PM
> *To:* bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
> *Subject:* [Bldg-sim] General query - impact of location on energy demand
>
>
>
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> Please share your answers to/views on the following queries.
>
>
>
> 1. How significant is the impact of location - different
> continents/countries - of a building on its energy demand? You may assume
> these are similar to each other on all aspects except for their location.
> Please share any examples, if possible, e.g. Sweden versus Texas.
>
>
>
> 2. Could you cite examples of cities where the natural weather, for
> maximum possible days, is comfortable for humans. So, cities where least
> possible heating and cooling is required.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Jeetendra.
>
> India.
>
>
>
>
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>
> --
>
>
>
> Javed Iqbal, LEED AP, CEA
> Sr. Energy Analyst
>
>
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