Embodied vs. Operational Energy and Carbon in Retail Building Shells: A Case Study in Portugal

Ana Ferreira (), Manuel Duarte Pinheiro, Jorge de Brito and Ricardo Mateus
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Ana Ferreira: CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Manuel Duarte Pinheiro: CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Jorge de Brito: CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Ricardo Mateus: ISISE, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal

Energies, 2022, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-23

Abstract: (1) Background: The embodied energy of building materials is a significant contributor to climate change, in tandem with the energy use intensity (EUI). Yet, studies on the material impacts of European retail buildings, namely with relation to EUI, are missing. Hence, this study set out to: (i) evaluate the embodied energy and carbon emissions for a European retail building; (ii) quantify the material flow in terms of mass; (iii) compare the embodied aspects to the operational EUI and carbon use intensity (CUI); (iv) assess building materials with higher impacts; and (v) investigate strategies to mitigate materials’ impacts. (2) Methods: A Portuguese retail building was selected as a case study. A simplified LCA method was followed (cradle-to-gate), analysing the shell building materials in terms of primary energy demand and global warming potential. (3) Results: the embodied energy represented 32% of total lifecycle energy while the embodied carbon represented 94%. EUI was 1×kWh/m 2 /y while CUI was 21 kg CO 2 eq/m 2 /y. The embodied energy was 4248 kWh/m 2 , and the embodied carbon was 1689 kg CO 2 eq/m 2 . Cement mortar, steel, concrete, and extruded polystyrene were the most intensive materials. (4) Conclusions: The embodied impacts of the analysed store could decrease by choosing stone wool sandwich panels for the facades instead of extruded polystyrene panels and roof systems with metal sheet coverings instead of bitumen materials.

Keywords: retail buildings; building shell; environmental impact; embodied energy; primary energy; GHG emissions; GWP; LCA (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2022:i:1:p:378-:d:1018623

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