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Towards Net Zero Carbon Economy: Improving the Sustainability of Existing Industrial Infrastructures in the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Ali Shubbar

    (School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK)

  • Mohammed Nasr

    (Technical Institute of Babylon, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University (ATU), Babylon 51015, Iraq)

  • Mayadah Falah

    (Building and Construction Engineering Technology Department, AL-Mustaqbal University College, Hillah 51001, Iraq)

  • Zainab Al-Khafaji

    (Al-Furrat Al-Awsat Distribution Foundation, Ministry of Oil, Babylon 51001, Iraq
    Department of Building and Construction Technical Engineering, College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University, Najaf 54001, Iraq)

Abstract

To comply with the new net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) target set by the United Kingdom government by 2050, different sectors including the industrial sector are required to take action to achieve this target. Improving the building envelope and production of clean energy on site are among the activities that should be considered by businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. This research analysis the current energy performance and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions of an industrial building in Liverpool, UK utilizing the Integrated Environmental Solutions Virtual Environment (IESVE) software modeling. Then it has proposed some methods for improving the current performance and reduce the carbon footprint of the building. The results indicated that the installation of wall and floor insulation could decrease the energy usage and CO 2 emissions of the building by about 56.39%. Additionally, the production of clean energy on site using solar photovoltaic (PV) panels could reduce the annual CO 2 emissions by up to 16%. Furthermore, this research provided some figures about offsetting the rest of CO 2 emissions using different international offsetting schemes to achieve carbon neutrality of the building.

Suggested Citation

  • Ali Shubbar & Mohammed Nasr & Mayadah Falah & Zainab Al-Khafaji, 2021. "Towards Net Zero Carbon Economy: Improving the Sustainability of Existing Industrial Infrastructures in the UK," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:18:p:5896-:d:637597
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Paul Plachinda & Julia Morgan & Maria Coelho, 2022. "Towards Net Zero: Modeling Approach to the Right-Sized Facilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Linda Giresini & Claudia Casapulla & Pietro Croce, 2021. "Environmental and Economic Impact of Retrofitting Techniques to Prevent Out-of-Plane Failure Modes of Unreinforced Masonry Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-26, October.

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