Methodology to Evaluate the Embodied Primary Energy and CO 2 Production at Each Stage of the Life Cycle of Prefabricated Structural Systems: The Case of the Solar Decathlon Competition

J.F. Luna-Tintos, Carlos Cobreros, Álvaro López-Escamilla, Rafael Herrera-Limones and Miguel Torres-García
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J.F. Luna-Tintos: Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro 76010, Mexico
Carlos Cobreros: Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Arquitectura, Arte y Diseño, Santiago de Querétaro 76130, Mexico
Álvaro López-Escamilla: Higher Technical School of Architecture, University Institute of Architecture and Construction Sciences, University of Seville, 41012 Seville, Spain
Rafael Herrera-Limones: Higher Technical School of Architecture, University Institute of Architecture and Construction Sciences, University of Seville, 41012 Seville, Spain
Miguel Torres-García: Energy Engineering Department, University of Seville, Camino de los Descubrimientos, s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 17, 1-15

Abstract: The construction industry is responsible for a high percentage of the energy consumed on the planet and the emission of greenhouse gases, therefore it is considered necessary to rethink many of the processes that this industry carries out in order to reduce its environmental impact. For this, one of the paths could take into account the Life Cycle Assessment of the used materials, for which it is necessary to evaluate this aspect through indicators that allow the qualification and quantification of the weight of these environmental impacts. In this context, this article presents a methodological proposal for the quantitative evaluation of the embodied primary energy and CO 2 production at each stage of the life cycle of prefabricated structural systems, taking as case studies eight prototypes from the “Solar Decathlon” competition in its editions of Europe (2014), United States (2015) and Latin America (2015), through a Simplified Life Cycle Analysis, using the Eco Audit tool from CES Edupack. Through this analysis, conclusions are drawn about the optimization of a structural system with lower environmental demand and the possibilities of transferring knowledge from this competition to be applied in innovative systems of new housing models.

Keywords: solar decathlon; life cycle assessment; LCA; prefabricated structures; sustainability; CO 2; energy; prefabrication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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