The Trinidad and Tobago Green Building Council (TTGBC) has been invited to be a part of a workshop on Energy Efficiency Standards and Regulations in Buildings, with the aim of developing a Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code(REEBC).
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States are currently seeking to implement energy efficiency measures and renewable energy resources into their energy mix, allowing for much needed economic transformation, provision for energy independence and security, and promotion of the reduction of environmental effects resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels.
The energy intensity index in CARICOM is higher than the energy intensity index of the world and about two and a half times that of the European Union (EU). A continued focus on energy efficiency practices can help mitigate the increase in the atmospheric temperatures and climatic changes over the years.
The CARICOM Secretariat and the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) are partnering with the Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS) to jointly host a Workshop on Energy Efficiency Standards and Regulations in Buildings in St. George’s, Grenada from July 13th to 15th, 2016. The Workshop is being supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, through the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance (REETA+) and Reform of the Electricity Sector to Support Climate Policy in Grenada (G-RESCP) Programmes, and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Improving the energy efficiency potential across sectors and economies is crucial for countries to deliver not only on climate objectives but to also improve their energy security, economic development and citizens’ health. Despite the benefits from energy efficiency, the current “low” oil prices pose a risk for the serious investment and application of more energy efficient mechanisms. Nevertheless, reducing the energy demand through improved energy efficiency makes renewable and non-renewable energy more affordable.
Buildings account for over one-third of world’s total energy use and associated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions; more than half of the electricity produced is consumed by buildings. Typically, 10% to 20% (depending on building type) of the total life-cycle energy consumed is used for the manufacturing and assembly of building materials, construction, maintenance, refurbishing and demolition; 80% to 90% is used, over the life of the building, for heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation, house appliances, etc.
Given the variety of cultures, business activities and the associated economic development, various societies have developed lifestyles that involve different patterns of energy use. Achieving high levels of energy efficiency does not necessarily imply sacrificing modern comforts in homes and workplaces, such as, climate conditioning, lighting, and a variety of electrical devices that provide comfort, task assistance, and entertainment.
Recently, there has been a trend to promote supranational collaboration to develop international energy efficiency requirements or standards for buildings, such as, via the International Standards Organization (ISO), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
In the same manner, the CARICOM Secretariat and CROSQ are seeking to develop a Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (REEBC). The REEBC is expected to address all of the aspects of energy use in buildings which comprise of, but are not limited to: thermal performance requirements for walls, roofs and windows; day lighting, lamps and luminaire performance; energy performance of chillers and air distribution systems; the electrical wiring system; solar water heating; appliances; renewable energy; zoning of buildings, climate classification, and building energy management systems.
The objectives of the Workshop are the establishment of benchmarks for the energy performance of buildings in the form of agreed Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS); and the provision of a firm basis for the development of a Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (REEBC). The Trinidad and Tobago Green Building Council (TTGBC) has been invited to be a part of this ongoing development and will be present at the workshop. Over the next couple days, we will seek to provide updates on the discussion and any future developments, particularly as it will impact the promotion of green building practices and technologies locally and in time to come.
