Sustainable Buildings in Spain

Sustainable Buildings in
Spain
FRANCISCO JAVIER ALMANSA RODRIGUEZ
2013
Sustainable Buildings in Spain
INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 3
2. ENERGY SOURCES ........................................................................................................... 4
2.1
WIND ENERGY ............................................................................................................... 4
2.2
SOLAR ENERGY.............................................................................................................. 5
2.3
BIOMASS ....................................................................................................................... 6
3. TECHNIQUE MORE USED IN SUSTAINABLE IN SPAIN .................................................... 7
3.1
LOW ENERGETIC TECHNIQUES ..................................................................................... 7
3.2
PASSIVE AND BIOCLIMATIC BUIDINGS TECHNIQUES .................................................. 9
4. ADVANTAGES AND HANDICAPS .................................................................................. 10
4.1
ADVENTAGES .............................................................................................................. 10
4.2
HANDICAPS ................................................................................................................. 11
5. EXAMPLES IN SPAIN ..................................................................................................... 11
6. CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................................................. 12
7. REFERENCES. ................................................................................................................. 12
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1. INTRODUCTION
Today, buildings use 40% of all energy demand in Europe and the energy consumption could
be fired in the coming years. Aware of the negative environmental and economic impacts of
such information, the European Union from 2020 will demand that new construction ensure
the quality of life not just waste energy and this must to be renewable.
In Spain, due to its geographical diversity and climate, how to proceed in this type of
construction is different from other countries in central and northern Europe. Not only should
you keep the temperature in winter, you also have to beat the heat in summer or resist harsh
marine environments.
Among the options for sustainable buildings, we will focus on buildings with low energy
demand and passive constructions. Because they are the most popular in Spain in this
moment.
In addition, to have passive houses and low energetic buildings is also important because Spain
is a country that imports energy.
In the context of energy crisis energy efficient housing is a major commitment to sustainable
architecture, although at this time the constructions of this type do not reach the thousand in
Spain. Its main advantages include energy savings (over 60% compared to a conventional
dwelling), the least environmental impact and comfort of its inhabitants.
To evaluate whether a building is sustainable or not, or to see to what degree is sustainable,
we can use LEED or BREEAM certificates, they mark some objective aspects depending on the
construction process, design, waste, energy consumption, use of recyclable materials ,
environmental impact, water ...
But in this paper we will not focus on them, as has already been seen more profoundly along
the course.
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2. ENERGY SOURCES
To be more energetically efficient, we must not only to decrease the buildings energy needs, it
is also important to use clean and renewable energy sources as:
2.1 WIND ENERGY
Wind energy is a renewable source of
electricity. Spain has been pioneer in the world
producing 20% of global wind power in 2007,
and becoming a leader in research and
development of this technology.
Spain has managed to have an wind power installed of 22 GW in 2012 (20% of the raw power
of the national grid) and has a law to reach 35 GW in 2020.
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In the following maps we can see the distribution of average wind speeds in Spain and the
location of the largest wind farms.
We canWe can see the location of these wind farms does not conform strictly to the higher
speed zones, it is often because the agricultural sector is predominant, the visual impact that
the windmills have on the landscape, or other economic interests .
2.2 SOLAR ENERGY
Spain is one of the countries in Europe with more sun hours, this makes solar energy power
source to exploit, therefore that in this way can comply with European commitments.
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But the reality is that solar energy involves only about 2% of the electrical power, about 3.5
GW.
This source of energy, can be used to
provide energy to the national network
through solar parks, and also to supply
our own buildings using smaller solar
panels. This will be discussed later.
2.3 BIOMASS
Biomass is one of the most versatile of renewable
energies. It can replace solid, liquid or gaseous fossil
fuels and therefore, represents a modern option for
meeting the energy demands of our homes,
businesses and industries. It can even be used to
generate electricity. It currently makes the greatest
contribution of all renewables to Spain's energy
balance.
In Spain, biomass is obtained from a wide variety of plentiful sources (forest waste, olive
stones, nutshells, etc.), which guarantees an uninterrupted and abundant supply anywhere in
our country.
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production capacity has increased in more than 10 times in recent years, from 60,000 t / year
in 2004 to a production capacity of close to 700,000 t / year in 2011.
In Spain, sub-products from the pulp and paper industry, a variety of timber transformation
industries, and the olive oil industry, as well as biomass from energy crops or agricultural
waste (straw, olive prunings) or from our hillsides, are all used to generate electricity. In all,
biomass electricity generation plants total over 400 MW of installed capacity.
3. TECHNIQUE MORE USED IN SUSTAINABLE IN SPAIN
Among the different building techniques that are used to achieve this type of buildings, we
highlight the following:
3.1 LOW ENERGETIC TECHNIQUES
These techniques make it possible to provide the necessary elements for the habitability but
considerably reducing the energy cost

LED Lighting: The Ledes present many advantages over incandescent light sources
and fluorescent, primarily from the low energy consumption, longer lifetime,
compactness, durability, resistance to vibration, reduce heat emission, no
mercury, reduce noise power lines, are special for use with photovoltaic (solar
panels) than any other current technology.

District heating is based on a plant that produces heat near consumers. Through a
system of insulated pipes, usually underground, the heat is distributed to buildings
of a neighborhood or a city as part of the network. The most common heat
distribution is water, but you can also use steam.
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

To cover stronger demand situations, it has storage systems that store energy in
times of low consumption. The heat distributed can be used not only for heating,
but also to produce hot water and to heat and cool in summer.
The most common is the core cogeneration. These intalllations use fossil fuels,
especially natural gas, but to produce and use of electricity and heat together,
achieve considerable energy savings. However, increasingly used plants based on
renewable energies such as biomass, geothermal and solar, and even nuclear
energy.
There are many Spanish cities with this heating system, for example in Barcelona
there is a neighborly with over 50 buildings that use it, and in the neighborhood of
Vallecas in Madrid, more than 30 buildings share this system. An estimated savings
of up to 60% of the energy used in heating.
Solar Panels: Photovoltaic solar panels can reduce electricity costs of a building
between 15% and 30%. Meanwhile, solar thermal energy can heat a house in
winter, refrigerate it in summer and hot water supply in very different ways and
even curious. For example, "geothermal heat pumps" use the heat stored in the
ground. Although more expensive than conventional systems, are amortized over
a period of two to five years, according to its supporters
Rainwater Recycling: usually consist of a container underground, so it does not
take place in the home and the water is better preserved. When it rains, water
travels through a roof gutters, filtered, and stored in the reservoir. Meanwhile, on
the home network is installed parallel to the drinking water supplied by the water
by a hydraulic system. Some models feature sensors that give priority to this water
when they detect their presence in the tank.
If the deposit is exhausted,
the system turns on supply
control that automatically
connects to mains water. In
this
sense,
some
equipment filled with water
such deposits from other
sources if depleted, though
not recommended. Also, in
case you want to use
rainwater for the garden,
you can install a specific
tank and a small water filter to the roof downspout.
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By about 2,000€ on average per household, consumers can install systems that use
rainwater. Thanks to them, users avoid using the mains water supply up to 50%,
resulting in an ecological and economic benefit.
These systems are used primarily in Galicia (northwestern Spain) where rainfall is
more abundant and make it more cost effective
3.2 PASSIVE AND BIOCLIMATIC BUIDINGS TECHNIQUES
A bioclimatic house is one that only through its architectural configuration is able to satisfy the
needs of its residents weather conditions, using the natural resources and avoiding the
consumption of conventional energy. A bioclimatic house allows us to be cool in summer and
keep warm in winter, although the outside temperature can be very low.
There are numerous techniques that vary depending on the type of housing (detached,
attached or block), the climate of the place, architectural design, budget, etc ... .

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

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Location: To get the maximum use of solar radiation and create natural air currents,
the house must have a north-south orientation, because in the south the sun heats
throughout the day, while in the north does not arrive sunlight.
The distribution of rooms: Placed in the north while the least used (kitchen,
bathrooms, storage ...), in the south living rooms (dining room, living room ...) and in
the east the bedrooms.
Thermal Insulation: Some of these measures do not involve excessive financial outlay
and get good results, such as installing good insulation. The heat loss of conventional
buildings is significant: according to Energy Saving Trust, a house without good
insulation can waste your walls only about 33% of its heat.
With these systems, housing leaves out the winter cold, keeping the heat inside and, in
the same way, blocks out the summer heat. Ultimately, the consumer achieves
significant savings in heating, water or air conditioning equipment, and the
environment prevents the impact of spending.
Among the conventional measures are isolation of walls or exterior walls, ceilings or
roofs, exterior carpentry, windows, glass, sunscreens and especially as thermal bridges
that form the structural members that communicate the exterior with the interior of
building. Meanwhile, measures "unconventional" are located within the so-called
"bioclimatic".
Also, equipment and pipe networks of heating, cooling and domestic hot water
production, adequately insulated, energy
savings can also pose.
The structure of the house: is important that
housing has interior courtyards or holes to
facilitate the transmission of cold and heat
that is generated and ventilation.
A cross ventilation system: To facilitate the
flow of natural air currents that allow heating
or cooling different rooms.
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


The greenhouse effect: It is the most used technique to produce heat. It consists of
the installation of large windows or windows on the south side and may be
accompanied by the construction of a greenhouse attached to the house. This system
requires a set of openings to control flows and building eaves or overhangs previously
studied to allow sunlight into winter, when the incidence of the rays are more oblique,
and not do it in summer, when rays that impinge vertically.
Walls election: to achieve accumulation of fresh and heat generated is desirable to use
load-bearing walls of greater thickness and thermal inertia. Thanks to them the heat is
retained longer and insulate better.
Older systems like liming of facades to reflect sunlight and avoid heating up the house.
It is often used in southern Spain where the weather is much hotter.
4. ADVANTAGES AND HANDICAPS
4.1 ADVENTAGES
Among the many adventages of this type of construction we will focus on the following:
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Thanks to its design and ventilation systems, air is cleaner inside.
The temperature of all rooms is homogeneous and there are no sudden changes.
By not using radiators, walls are more diaphanous and makes better use of space.
Is greatly reduced energy costs over the life of the building. According to studies
conducted by CIEMAT, bioclimatic architecture in Spain will get between 60 and
100% of the energy of a conventional home. This lower consumption translates
into cost savings, estimated at a minimum of € 1,000 annually.
Increased natural lighting: Being designed for maximum utilization of solar
radiation.
Health Benefits: In addition to the presence of the sun as a source of vitality and
well-being, these buildings do not produce natural ventilation environment and
prevent dry stale air from the air conditioning, thus reducing allergies, asthenia or
they may produce headaches.
Less environmental impact: Through energy conservation and enhancement of
sustainable energy supply is ensured for future generations and a less polluted
environment
There are often subsidies from the European Union, the government and local
governments to defray the costs incurred by these types of buildings.
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4.2 HANDICAPS
- The initial investment in this type of houses can become 14% more expensive than
conventional homes.
- There isn’t awareness by user to demand this kind of constructions.
- There are no great knowledge on the part of all construction companies to
manufacture this type of construction.
- Materials are more expensive.
- Difficulty of finding proper orientation (north-south) in cities.
5. EXAMPLES IN SPAIN
Orona ideological innovation city: submitted in February
2012, this "innovation city" Orona company is under
construction. The complex will have offices, technology
center, university and Energy Laboratory which innovate in
the areas of sustainable architecture and renewable energy.
The circular design of the building "Orona Zero" is based on
the brand image of this multinational Basque. The four
buildings are certified sustainable LEED and BREEAM, the heat is derived with district heating
and photovoltaic roof and façade of one of the buildings is planned for consumption and
research of new electrical storage systems associated with lifting
systems as Xabier Barrutieta, Orona architect.
Project "Puerto Chico se mueve" neighborhood
initiative seeks rehabilitation of a colony of more than
4,200 homes and half a century old in the Madrid
suburb of Aluche. Architects Lucia Pumariega Martí
and Michelangelo have proposed the comprehensive
transformation of the facade, which has serious
energy losses and other problems. The property is
extended for the facade renovation and profits to
improve the insulation of the building by means of
standardized modules with aluminum Kömmerling
company.
Efficient buildings: the architect Carlos Davó
standard is based on the German Passivhaus
energy efficiency for various design houses, such as
Moraleda or Escuzar (Granada), offices or
monitoring and surveillance.
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6. CONCLUSIONS
If we pay attention to the energy distribution in Spain, we will realize that there is still a long
way to be a relatively energy efficient.
Although energy companies (oil, gas, electricity ...) press for not construct such buildings, and
people are becoming aware gradually that we must protect the environment and be more
responsible with energy. This type of housing help greatly to meet these objectives.
Besides the above, note that it is a profitable investment because the additional costs of
construction are amortized over a period of five years, after which energy savings is about 90%
for the rest of life housing.
If we continue on this path of progress towards sustainability, a house that does not have
these features, ie a conventional house, it will not be competitive in the future when selling.
7.
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REFERENCES.
www.wikipedia.com
www.consumer.es
www.construible.es
http://www.fomento.gob.es/mfom/lang_castellano/direcciones_generales/arq_vivien
da/_informacion/normativa/codigoedificacion.htm
http://www.renovablesmadeinspain.com
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