Page 8 - GRIHA Manual Volume III - Introduction to National Rating System
P. 8
Introduction 1
IntRoduCtIon
Buildings are responsible for about 40% of total energy use in the world. With the recent boom in the
construction sector, there has been a sudden increase in energy consumption, especially in countries
like India and China. The construction sector in India is witnessing a fast growth due to several factors.
Some of the key growth drivers are; increased demand for housing, strong demographic impetus,
expansion of organized retail, increased demand for commercial office spaces by multinationals
and IT (Information Technology) hub,setting up of special economic zones (SEZs), availability of
easy finance options and increase in per capita income and standard of living. The gross built-up
1
area added to commercial and residential spaces was about 40.8 million square meters in 2004-05 ,
which is about 1% of annual average constructed floor area around the world and the trends show
a sustained growth of about 10% over the coming years. With a near consistent 8% rise in annual
energy consumption in the residential and commercial sectors, building energy consumption has
2
seen an increase from a low 14% in the 1970s to nearly 33% in 2004-2005. Energy consumption
would continue to rise unless suitable actions to improve energy efficiency are taken urgently.
As per TERI estimates, there is an increased demand of about 5.4 billion units (kWh) of electricity
annually for meeting end-use energy requirement for residential and commercial buildings. This is
in addition to energy requirements for manufacturing of building materials/ equipment and energy
used during construction (comprising the embodied energy of materials and machinery). While
there is a construction boom with 10% increase in net built up area in residential and commercial
sector annually, there is also the existing building stock which requires tune up and upgradation
from energy efficiency point of view.
Most buildings that are presently being designed and used are far from being green or
sustainable. Their energy consumption and imposition on natural resources are massive. The design
and development of new buildings based on sound concepts of energy efficiency and application
of suitable retrofit options to the existing building could substantially improve energy-use efficiency
in the building sector, with associated reduction in emissions.
An energy efficient building design leads to minimum negative environmental impact of
buildings and helps in the reducing dependence on conventional sources of energy. An integrated
approach leads to the most effective and energy efficient building design. The basic principles of
energy efficient building design are outlined below:
1. Climate responsive building or solar passive building design guidelines to minimize load on
conventional energy demand.
1 Construction Industry Development Council, India. India Country Report, 2005-06; 801, Address: Hemkunt Chambers, 89, Nehru Place,
New Delhi 110019.
2 Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Government of India, 2006
IntRoduCtIon
Buildings are responsible for about 40% of total energy use in the world. With the recent boom in the
construction sector, there has been a sudden increase in energy consumption, especially in countries
like India and China. The construction sector in India is witnessing a fast growth due to several factors.
Some of the key growth drivers are; increased demand for housing, strong demographic impetus,
expansion of organized retail, increased demand for commercial office spaces by multinationals
and IT (Information Technology) hub,setting up of special economic zones (SEZs), availability of
easy finance options and increase in per capita income and standard of living. The gross built-up
1
area added to commercial and residential spaces was about 40.8 million square meters in 2004-05 ,
which is about 1% of annual average constructed floor area around the world and the trends show
a sustained growth of about 10% over the coming years. With a near consistent 8% rise in annual
energy consumption in the residential and commercial sectors, building energy consumption has
2
seen an increase from a low 14% in the 1970s to nearly 33% in 2004-2005. Energy consumption
would continue to rise unless suitable actions to improve energy efficiency are taken urgently.
As per TERI estimates, there is an increased demand of about 5.4 billion units (kWh) of electricity
annually for meeting end-use energy requirement for residential and commercial buildings. This is
in addition to energy requirements for manufacturing of building materials/ equipment and energy
used during construction (comprising the embodied energy of materials and machinery). While
there is a construction boom with 10% increase in net built up area in residential and commercial
sector annually, there is also the existing building stock which requires tune up and upgradation
from energy efficiency point of view.
Most buildings that are presently being designed and used are far from being green or
sustainable. Their energy consumption and imposition on natural resources are massive. The design
and development of new buildings based on sound concepts of energy efficiency and application
of suitable retrofit options to the existing building could substantially improve energy-use efficiency
in the building sector, with associated reduction in emissions.
An energy efficient building design leads to minimum negative environmental impact of
buildings and helps in the reducing dependence on conventional sources of energy. An integrated
approach leads to the most effective and energy efficient building design. The basic principles of
energy efficient building design are outlined below:
1. Climate responsive building or solar passive building design guidelines to minimize load on
conventional energy demand.
1 Construction Industry Development Council, India. India Country Report, 2005-06; 801, Address: Hemkunt Chambers, 89, Nehru Place,
New Delhi 110019.
2 Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Government of India, 2006
