Evaluating Environmental Impacts: Embodied Carbon Assessment of Ventilation, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems in Swedish School Architecture

Abstract

There is a rising demand for decarbonizing the building sector since it significantly contributes to global carbon emissions. With a focus on the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems specifically, this master’s thesis explores the embodied carbon within these building service systems. Utilizing established life cycle assessment methodologies, the case study thoroughly examines the embodied carbon emissions of the ventilation, electrical, and plumbing systems for stages A1-A3, which include the production stages: Raw material supply, transport, and manufacturing of the products used within the case building.
To determine the individual MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) components that contribute to the overall embodied carbon footprint of the building, the thesis thoroughly assesses each component of these systems to accurately measure the emissions. The study’s methodology makes use of a broad range of information-gathering techniques, including the use of environmental product declarations (EPDs), generic data sources, and building product declarations (BPDs). By doing this analysis, the study also highlights the barriers and difficulties caused by uncertainties in the availability of environmental data and possible resolutions for these obstacles.

Among mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations in buildings, ventilation, particularly duct systems and AHUs (air handling units), have the highest climate impact compared to other parts of the systems. Through hotspot analysis, it became possible to identify specific components within ventilation, such as the duct system, with the highest climate impacts. The study then proposed the utilization of recycled steel material for this section, leading to a reduction of the ventilation part's carbon footprint by 30%.

Popular Abstract

Climate impact calculations of MEP Systems in school buildings, a case study from Hedda Gymnasium in Lund by Kevin Salwathura and Fatos Shabani

Introduction
The construction industry significantly contributes to global carbon emissions. This contribution is not only during the operational stage but also during the construction stage. This study focuses on the MEP systems embodied carbon, specifically on Hedda Gymnasium, a school in Lund, Sweden. It conducts climate impact calculations for these systems and proposes measures such as using recycled steel to reduce this impact.

Main text
The study highlights the importance of addressing embodied carbon in building systems. Reducing the embodied carbon in building materials and systems is essential for achieving sustainability goals in the construction sector. This helps combat climate change and promotes using environmentally friendly materials and practices. Understanding these impacts can guide to better design and material selection, resulting in buildings with less climate impact.
The study shows four key insights: The high impact of ventilation systems, the benefits of recycled materials, climate data challenges, and results comparison with similar buildings.
The study's results revealed that ventilation systems, particularly duct systems and air handling units, have the highest climate impact compared to plumbing systems. Using recycled steel in duct systems resulted in a reduction in the carbon footprint by up to 30% of the whole ventilation system or around 23% in ventilation and plumbing systems together. This demonstrates the potential of material choices in reducing emissions. Choosing materials with low embodied carbon, such as recycled steel, can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of building systems. Regulatory guidelines should mandate embodied carbon assessments in building designs to promote the use of sustainable materials. The study faced a lack of climate data for components, particularly electrical, which made it impossible to conduct a climate impact calculation for the electrical part of the system. This highlights the need for more publication of climate data of products and materials and reporting practices in the industry. Developing more Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) by the manufacturers is essential for accurate carbon footprint assessments. Comparison with other investigations shows that the carbon footprint of the ventilation and plumbing systems is in the same order of magnitude as other reference buildings.

This study is conducted by following several steps. First, databases of the materials and products used to construct Hedda's MEP systems are created. Assemblin, the company with which this study is conducted in collaboration, provides these data. Then, climate data related to these materials and products are gathered to calculate the climate impact of these systems. After analyzing the results, a method called Hot Spot Analysis is used to identify parts of the system with high climate impact, and new materials are proposed to decrease this impact.

• author: Salwathura, Kevin Alexander and Shabani, Fatos
• supervisor: Catarina Warfvinge
• organization: Department of Building and Environmental Technology; Division of Energy and Building Design
• alternative title: Evaluating Environmental Impacts: Embodied Carbon Assessment of Ventilation, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems in Swedish School Architecture: A case study from Hedda Gymnasium in Lund, Sweden
• course: AEBM01 20241
• year: 2024
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: Embodied carbon, life cycle assessment, building service systems, MEP, HVAC, carbon footprint, climate change
• language: English
• id: 9161808
• date added to LUP: 2024-06-11 14:26:25
• date last changed: 2024-06-11 14:26:25