Page 41 - Analysis and Design of Energy Geostructures

10 Analysis and Design of Energy Geostructures

Figure 1.8 World energy-related carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions by sector. Data from International
Energy Agency, I. E. A., 2015. Energy and Climate Change. International Energy Agency, Paris.

All of the aforementioned problems have a profound impact on society, the econ-
omy, politics and the environment. Resorting to renewable energy sources is an essen-
tial and effective solution to these problems.

1.2.5 Perspectives

Many are the initiatives, policies, regulations and agreements at the national and inter-
national levels that are being promoted and established to target sustainable development,
that is a development that sustains human needs and progress goals with a limited
impact on the environment (see, e.g. Magee et al., 2013). Undoubtedly, because of
the noteworthy influence of the building sector on energy consumption, nonrenew-
able energy exploitation and greenhouse gas emissions, developing buildings and infra-
structures characterised by (1) integrated passive design strategies (i.e. approaches
employing technologies that use ambient energy sources such as daylighting, natural
ventilation and solar energy, instead of purchased energy sources like electricity or
natural gas); (2) high-performance building envelopes and energy efficient heating,
ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as lighting and appliances;
and (3) technologies harvesting on-site renewable energy sources can represent a major
contribution to sustainable development. An environment characterised by the afore-
mentioned features (1) (3) is usually termed a “low-carbon built environment”.