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