Patrick X.W. Zou

Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV): costs, benefits, risks, barriers and improvement strategy

Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) refers to photovoltaic or solar cells that are integrated into the building envelope (such as facade or roof) to generate ‘free’ energy from sunshine, and it is one of the fastest growing industries worldwide. However, up until now, there have been limited studies that analysed cost‒benefit and risk factors/barriers of BIPV from a supply chain perspective; and there have also been limited studies that provide strategies to industry and academics in order to encourage BIPV diffusion and application. The aim of this research is to identify the costs, benefits and risks of BIPV and propose suggestions for greater BIPV application, from a stakeholder perspective, through a comprehensive review of current literature. The results of this research show that whilst BIPV have high initial investment capital costs, there are significant long-term benefits to be achieved for clients, end users and the entire society. Further, the results also show that BIPV costs decrease and government policy support and incentives are required in order to promote wider BIPV application. In addition, this research has identified the fact that there was a lack of detailed BIPV cost data (including individual component costs) and lack of methods for BIPV cost‒benefit analysis, and there are risks and barriers in BIPV applications. Following this, this research provides a strategic framework and a number of suggestions to industry stakeholders for integration and collaboration within the BIPV supply chain in order to facilitate the cost reduction of BIPV. Finally, this study proposes several topics for future research. It is anticipated that the results presented in this paper have implications not only for government policy and product development and application, but also for academic research.

Achieving energy efficiency in government buildings through mandatory policy and program enforcement

Government buildings are responsible for a significant proportion of energy consumption worldwide, for example, in Australia, up to 41.5 PJ energy was consumed by government buildings in 2011–2012. While the newly constructed buildings may be energy efficient, the existing buildings, which account for more than 85% of the total building stock, were built prior to the time when energy rating systems was put in practice and are consequently energy inefficient to a large degree. Reducing the energy consumption in existing government buildings is essential, as it will not only reduce the costs and environmental impacts, but also show governments’ strong commitment towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emission. Furthermore, successful building energy retrofit projects are the showcases to the general public, encouraging other sectors (e.g. commercial) to conduct building retrofits for energy savings. Recognising these benefits, several state governments in Australia have introduced building energy efficiency policies and programs. This paper reviewed the energy efficiency policies/programs in five States in Australia: Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland in terms of respective policies and targets, implementation methods and current progress. The lessons learned from these programs were also discussed. This research revealed that the key factors for a successful government building energy retrofitting program are 1) having a properly enforced energy efficiency mandate with clear energy saving targets, 2) establishing an expert facilitation team and 3) implementing suitable financing and procurement methods.

From Paper-Based to Cloud-Based Safety Information System in Infrastructure Construction Projects

This research aims to develop a cloud-based safety information and communication system in infrastructure construction projects. To achieve this aim, the current paper-based construction safety management was reviewed. Following this, a cloud-based safety information and communication system, which incorporates geographic information system (GIS) and Global Position System (GPS), has been designed and developed. Google Drive was chosen as the system database and hosting web server, where the Google Docs, Sheets and Forms are tailored to accurately capture on-site safety data with mobile devices. The captured data with its actual construction activity location is automatically synchronized in Google Fusion Tables and the processed safety information is visualized simultaneously on Google Maps together with the project’s general information. Both data capturing and visualization processes are managed in a single web interface, bringing easy-to-use benefits to end users. The system was trial tested with a real case project, which confirmed its usability and benefits. The system developed in this research has potential applications in managing safety in infrastructure construction projects.

Mitigation of heat stress risks through building energy efficiency upgrade: a case study of Melbourne, Australia

Abstract People spend most of their time indoor during a heatwave period, as such assessment of indoor heat stress is an important issue for public health care. In this study, the impact of building energy efficiency in mitigating the risks of experiencing heat stress by the occupants different energy-rated dwellings was investigated under the 2009 Melbourne heatwave scenario. First of all, distributions of different energy-rated houses and the percentage of people living in those houses were calculated. Indoor heat stress conditions of the different energy-rated houses were calculated using building simulation software EnergyPlus and two well-established heat stress indices: wet bulb globe temperature and discomfort index. The results showed that residents of 0.9 energy star-rated houses are approximately 50% more vulnerable to experiencing heat stress during a heatwave compared to the residents of 5.4 energy star-rated houses. It was revealed that upgrading energy efficiency of existing dwellings could be one of the most effective heatwave mitigation measures. If the entire lower energy-rated houses can be upgraded to 5.4-star, the percentage of people that are at risk of being exposed to extreme heat stress conditions for 6 h could reduce from 50% to only 4%.

Impact of Attitudinal Ambivalence on Safety Behaviour in Construction

Unsafe acts have been identified as a major factor of construction accidents. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has been used to explain the factors influencing unsafe behaviour, by establishing the relationship between attitude, intention, and behaviour. However, the existing research on the relationship between safety attitude and safety behaviour could not fully explain the decision-making process of unsafe acts, in that the relationship could be mediated by attitudinal ambivalence, which is caused by conflicting information sources and the social network pressure of peer workers. This research examined whether attitudinal ambivalence was a mediating factor, either fully or partially, in the relationship between safety attitude and safety behaviour by expanding the TPB model. Data were collected from questionnaire survey of 228 construction workers. The results showed that attitudinal ambivalence existed as a partial mediating factor in the relationship between safety attitude and safety behaviour. This paper contributed to the body of knowledge on safety management by recognizing the role of attitudinal ambivalence in construction workers and integrated it into the TPB model. This research will be helpful in providing greater understanding of the dynamic and complex decision-making process of unsafe behaviour given multiple information sources and conflicting environments.

Behavior Change of Building Users and Energy Consumption

This article aims to identify and gain an understanding of the internal and external factors that affect building occupants’ energy consumption behavior, which includes biological, psychological, socioeconomic, sociodemographic, contextual, government regulations, time, physical environment, and building characteristics. Based on these factors a series of intervention programs and strategies are proposed aiming to change occupants’ behavior towards energy saving based on the well-known theory of planned behavior. The intervention strategies include feedback system, education, government incentive and policy, and social/peer influence strategies. In addition, the standard economic theory was introduced to provide a theoretical base for modeling the negative effect of energy price on energy consumption behavior. It should be pointed out that in addition to the implication of building energy saving practice, the frameworks, strategies, and factors presented in this article also provide pointers for future research.