SEE 3103

Energy Efficiency for Buildings

1. Introduction

Prof. Michael K.H. Leung

School of Energy and Environment
City University of Hong Kong

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 Energy Flow on Earth
Tidal energy

Solar radiation Short wavelength Long wavelength

1.72 x 1017 W radiation radiation (1.21 x 1017 W)

Atmosphere
Direct reflection Tides, tidal currents
5.1 x 1016 W 3 x 1012 W

1.21 x 1017 W
Conduction in rocks
Direct conversion to heat 3.2 x 1013 W
8.1 x 1016 W
Winds, waves, convection and currents
3.7 x 1014 W
Evaporation, precipitation Storage in
water and ice Convection in volcanoes
4 x 1016 W
and hot springs
Decay 3 x 1011 W
Photosynthesis Storage in
4 x 1013 W plants Animals

Terrestrial energy
World consumption
1.27 x 107 W
1.797 x 1013 W

Earth
Fossil Thermal Chemical Nuclear
fuels energy energy energy
World Natural Resources (≈ 6.6x1022 J)
• Coal 62%
• Oil 17%
• Natural gas 15%
• Uranium 6%

Common Uses of Energy Resources

• Coal Electricity
• Oil Transportation
• Natural gas Heat
• Uranium Electricity
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 Background

(Million tons of oil equivalent)

Ref: Key World Energy Statistics 2020, International Energy Agency (IEA), 2020.
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 World Energy Consumption
Total world energy consumption in 2015 was 13,541 Mtoe,

Conversion factor,
1 Mtoe = 4.187 x 1016 J

Power consumption
= 13,541 Mtoe/year
= 13,541 x 4.187 x 1016 J/year
= 5.670 x 1020 J/year
= 1.797 x 1013 W

Ref.: Key World Energy Statistics 2020, International

Energy Agency (IEA), 2020.
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Peak Oil

Peak oil poster

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 Hubbert Curves
• Geologist M.K. Hubbert predicted production of coal and oil.
• A Hubbert curve indicates the length of time that a reserve will last.
• Parameters include the total estimated reserves, costs of fuel
extraction, and past data on fuel discovery and fuel production.
• Hubbert’s prediction in 1956 accurately forecasted that the U.S. oil
production would peak in about 1970.
Oil/coal/natural gas
production rate

Year 7
 Hubbert Curves of
World Oil Production Note:
After peak oil is
reached, energy
Energy crises in 1970s Past demands
Billion barrels per year (Bbl/yr)

data Future continue to

forecast increase but
energy supply
decreases. As a
result, energy
crisis will
become worse.

Source:
Association for the
Study of Peak Oil
and Gas (ASPO)

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 Peak Oil, Peak Gas & Peak Coal
Million tonnes oil equivalent (Mtoe)

Ref.: http://theoildrum.com/ 9
 Air Pollution
Combustion of fossil fuels emits airborne pollutants:
– Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
– Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
– Carbon monoxide (CO)
– Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
– Particulate matters: PM10 , PM2.5

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 Emissions & Environmental Impacts
• Major sources of air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels
─ automobile exhausts
─ power plant emissions
• Combustion of fossil fuels - emits airborne pollutants
– Sulfur dioxide (SO2): may cause infant mortality, cardiovascular disease,
viral diseases, respiratory tract, chronic bronchitis, asthma, lower respiratory,
emphysema, kidney damage, anemia fatigue, bone changes, cancer
– Nitrogen oxides (NOx): may cause cardiovascular disease, viral diseases,
respiratory tract, chronic bronchitis, asthma, lower respiratory, emphysema,
hypertension, visual disorders
– Carbon monoxide (CO): extremely toxic, cardiovascular disease and
symptoms such as fatigue, rapid breathing, chest tightness, etc.
– Volatile organic compounds (VOC): headache, depression of central
nerves, irritations of eyes, nose, & throat, carcinogenic.
– Particulate matters: PM10 (dia. ≤ 10 μm) and PM2.5 (dia. ≤ 2.5 μm) can be
deposited in lungs and cause harm to our health.

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 Acid Rain
• Pure rainwater normally has a pH value of 5.6 (< 7 neutral condition).
It is a little acidic due to the natural formation of carbonate acid
(H2CO3) in the rain as CO2 is present in the atmosphere.

• Acid rain has a pH less than 5.6.

• Formation of acid rain:

NOx + H2O → HNO3 + oxygen
SO2 + O3 → SO3 + O2
SO3 + H2O → H2SO4

• Consequences: poor reproduction of marine life, adverse effect on

aquatic plants, corrosion of buildings and materials.

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 Climate Change
Global Warming – a Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse
• Solar radiation (mostly short-
wavelength UV and visible light) Sun Green-
house
can pass through glass panes
and turn to heat indoors.
• Heated surfaces inside the
greenhouse reradiates long-
wavelength infrared, which is
blocked by the glass panes. Sunlight Some infrared
Radiant energy is trapped.
• More radiant energy entering
system than leaving the system
so the greenhouse is warm in the
winter time. Infrared

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Greenhouse Effect

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 Consequences of Global Warming
• Sea level rise
– 6 - 37 inches in next century.
– flooding.
• Intensification of hydrologic cycle
– increasing evaporation will
likely result in drier soil.
– impact on regional water
sources.
• Dramatic effects on ecosystems
– forest, deserts, mountain
regions, lakes, streams,
wetlands etc.
• Health effect
– disease such as malaria.
– adverse heat strain.

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Challenging Targets

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Hong Kong’ Climate Action Plan 2050

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Ref.: World Energy Outlook 2016, International Energy Agency, 2016.

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(1) Short-Term Energy Strategy
- Use non-renewable fossil fuels wisely
- Implement high energy efficiency
Oil

Coal

(2) Long-Term Energy Strategy

- Develop renewable energy resources
Wind
Power

Solar
Energy Hydrogen

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Ref.:
Hong Kong Energy End-Use
Data 2020, EMSD, HKSAR
Government

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SEE3103 Energy Efficiency for Buildings
Key Topics

• Buildings
Air-conditioning; Heat pump; Water heating; Space
heating; Lighting; Lifts and escalators; Electrical
installations

• Commercial applications
Refrigeration; Kitchen appliances

• Industrial processes
Compressed air; Injection molding

• Energy management
Peak shaving; Cost-benefit analysis; Energy
management system; Energy audit; Energy saving
performance contracting 23