Article 085 - Architecture and Construction in a Depletion Economy

Architecture and Construction in a Depletion Economy

The following is an analysis of current energy use in the Architecture and Construction industry in Britain using data from 2007 to 2014.

Total Energy Use

Total energy use = 213.9 Mtoe

= 2,487,657,000,000 kWh

= 2 487 657 gigawatt hours

Source: UK Gov /DUKES 2013 Chapter 1: Energy

Mtoe = Million tonnes of oil equivalent

In 2007 1 2st 3b 4p home used = 4,500 kwh/yr.

Therefore the total energy use = 552,812,666 2st 3b 4p houses

The number of actual houses = 27,000,000

Therefore the total energy use = 20 times the number of houses in Britain

Total UK Energy dependency on Fossil Fuels

2008 = 73.8 %

2013/2014 = 75.4 %

Source: CIA World Fact book 2008 and 2013

The Breakdown of Energy Use by Architecture and Construction Sector

Transport = 53.2 Mtoe

= 618,716,000,000 kWh

Domestic = 43.2 Mtoe

= 502,416,000,000 kWh

Industry = 24.3 Mtoe

= 282,609,000,000 kWh

Commercial = 11.5 Mtoe

= 133,745,000,000 kWh

Non-Domestic = 6.6 Mtoe

= 76,758,000,000 kWh

Other = 1.8 Mtoe

= 20,934,000,000 kWh

Source: BPF

Totals = 140.6 Mtoe

= 1,635,178,000,000 kWh

= 363,372,889 2st 3b 4p houses

Therefore the total energy use is 14 times the number of houses in Britain

Source: BPF

Mtoe = Million tonnes of oil equivalent

Conclusions

Architecture and Construction are very energy intensive in 2014.

They take up approx. 65% of UK energy use per year.

This is the equivalent of 14 to 20 times the existing number of houses in Britain in energy use.

The energy used in Britain is very fossil fuel dependant.

The larger the fossil fuel use the larger the increases in output of greenhouse gas emissions which accelerates climate change.

Architecture and Construction should therefore only be carried out when absolutely necessary.

Architecture and Construction will have to reduce considerably to meet UN Climate Agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Mtoe = Million tonnes of oil equivalent

Ian K Whittaker

My websites:

https://sites.google.com/site/architecturearticles

Email: iankwhittaker@gmail.com

28/07/2014

14/10/2020

350 words over 2 pages