What Is Embodied Energy

M Ridha Tantowi 3214100070
What is embodied energy?

Embodied energy is the sum of all the energy required to produce any goods or
services, considered as if that energy was incorporated or 'embodied' in the
product itself. The concept can be useful in determining the effectiveness of
energy-producing or energy-saving devices, or the "real" replacement cost of a
building, and, because energy-inputs usually entail greenhouse gas emissions, in
deciding whether a product contributes to or mitigates global warming. One
fundamental purpose for measuring this quantity is to compare the amount of
energy produced or saved by the product in question to the amount of e
Embodied energy is an accounting method which aims to find the sum total of the energy
necessary for an entire product life-cycle. Determining what constitutes this life-cycle
includes assessing the relevance and extent of energy into raw material extraction,
transport, manufacture, assembly, installation, disassembly, deconstruction and/or
decomposition as well as human and secondary resources.
There are two forms of embodied energy in buildings:
Initial embodied energy; and

Recurring embodied energy
The initial embodied energy in buildings represents the non-renewable energy consumed in the
acquisition of raw materials, their processing, manufacturing, transportation to site, and construction.
This initial embodied energy has two components:
Direct energy the energy used to transport building products to the site, and then to construct the
building; and
Indirect energy the energy used to acquire, process, and manufacture the building materials, including
any transportation related to these activities.
The recurring embodied energy in buildings represents the non-renewable energy consumed to
maintain, repair, restore, refurbish or replace materials, components or systems during the life of the
building.
As buildings become more energy-efficient, the ratio of embodied energy to lifetime consumption
increases. Clearly, for buildings claiming to be "zero-energy" or "autonomous", the energy used in
construction and final disposal takes on a new significance.
How is it measured?
Typically, embodied energy is measured as a quantity of non-renewable energy per unit of building
material, component or system. For example, it may be expressed as megaJoules (MJ) or gigaJoules
(GJ) per unit of weight (kg or tonne) or area (square metre). The process of calculating embodied
energy is complex and involves numerous sources of data.
Implicit in the measure of embodied energy are the associated environmental implications of resource
depletion, greenhouse gases, environmental degradation and reduction of biodiversity. As a rule of
thumb, embodied energy is a reasonable indicator of the overall environmental impact of building
materials, assemblies or systems. However, it must be carefully weighed against performance and
durability since these may have a mitigating or compensatory effect on the initial environmental
impacts associated with embodied energy.
How much embodied energy is typically found in buildings?

The amount of embodied energy in buildings varies considerably. Initial embodied energy consumption
depends on the nature of the building, the materials used and the source of these materials (this is why
data for a building material in one country may differ significantly from the same material
manufactured in another country). The recurring embodied energy is related to the durability of the
building materials, components and systems installed in the building, how well these are maintained,
and the life of the building (the longer the building survives, the greater the expected recurring energy
consumption).
Research carried out by Cole and Kernan(1) using a model based on Canadian construction of a generic
4 620 m2 (50,000 ft2) three-storey office building with underground parking, considered three different
construction systems (wood, steel and concrete), and yielded the following results for average total
initial embodied energy. (Note: Data were averaged for the three construction systems as the overall
differences between the building types were not significant.
The building envelope, structure and services contribute fairly equally and account for about three-
quarters of total initial embodied energy. The finishes, which represent only 13% of the embodied
energy initially, typically account for the highest increase in recurring embodied energy. Embodied
energy may not be significantly different between building systems (e.g., wood versus steel versus
concrete), however, the environmental impacts associated with one material versus another can be
dramatically different.(2)
It is interesting to consider the relationship between site work (6% of initial embodied energy) and
services (24%). The reallocation of embodied energy, and hence project budget, from conventional
services to the site management of stormwater, for example, may have a negligible effect on initial
embodied energy, but the impact on recurring embodied energy may prove significant. Additional
benefits downstream of the building at the community infrastructure level should also be considered.
This points to one of the shortcomings of embodied energy analysis, which typically ends at the
property line and is somewhat unwieldy in dealing with a broader context.\
Buildings, as they are designed and used today, contribute to serious environmental
problems because of excessive consumption of energy and other natural resources. The
close connection between energy use in build-ings and environmental damage arises
because energy intensive solutions sought to construct a building & meet its demands for
heating, cooling, ventilation & lighting cause severe depletion of invaluable
environmental resources.
However, buildings can be designed to meet occupants need for thermal and visual
comfort at reduced levels energy & resources consumption. Energy resource efficiency in
new constructions can be effected by adopting
an integrated approach to building design.
Breakdown of Initial Embodied Energy by
Typical Office Building Components
Averaged Over Wood, Steel and Concrete
Structures [Cole and Kernan, 1996]. https://www.canadianarchitect.
com/asf/perspectives_sustaini
bility/measures_of_sustainablit
y/measures_of_sustainablity_e
mbodied.htm

What Is Embodied Energy

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M Ridha Tantowi 3214100070

What is embodied energy?

There are two forms of embodied energy in buildings:

Initial embodied energy; and

How much embodied energy is typically found in buildings?

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