16 / 60
16
ZEB
annual report 2015
The building sector can play a significant
role in the green transformation that society
is facing. EU aims to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by 80-95 %, and the power
supply is to be fossil-free by 2050. To be
able to reach this goal, it is important that
the building sector reduces its energy
use significantly, both in new and existing
buildings. This is a major challenge, one that
requires the development and introduction
of innovative solutions at a much faster pace
than is currently taking place. Unfortunately,
the building sector is not known for being
innovative and is struggling with a slow
re-education process and numerous
complaints. How can it contribute to a green
transformation, and what changes are
required?
Zero emission construction is an innovative
concept that has been developed through
research by the ZEB centre. An important part
of my PhD research is a system analysis of
zero emission buildings as innovation system.
Through this analysis, it is possible to identify
strengths and weaknesses in the system, and
results from the analysis may ease efforts to
dismantle targeted barriers. An innovation
system is defined in different ways, but the
main point of the system understanding is to
look into the context around the elements that
affect innovation. Here the interaction between
institutions and the learning processes
are particularly important. Indicators that
are analysed include human resource
development and dissemination, market
proliferation, innovation, legitimacy, and what
is known as “guided search”. Through expert
interviews with representatives from industry
and government, I have surveyed which
factors will enable zero emission buildings
to achieve a significant market share. The
following are some preliminary results from an
analysis that will be completed and published
in 2016.
Not everyone agrees that zero emission
buildings are a good idea, and several of my
informants are interested in discussing the
requirements for zero emission buildings. In
Norway, electricity generation is largely based
on hydropower, and we are in the process
of building up a surplus which, if the transfer
capacity is not increased, will be “locked in”.
We are therefore in a situation with a plentiful
supply of clean and affordable hydropower,
where leading players from industry are
investing in different kinds of highly energy
efficient buildings. They are even investing in
zero emission buildings that produce energy.
Currently, we are just talking about a few
research projects, but many within the industry
believe that these kinds of buildings will
constitute a large part of construction activity
in the not too distant future. These actors are
getting involved, not necessarily just because
they feel the need to be socially responsible,
but because they want to gather expertise and
establish a reputation as experts in the field.
HOW SHOULD WE BUILD A LOW CARBON SOCIETY?
HVORDAN BYGGE ET LAVUTSLIPPSAMFUNN?
Ann Kristin Kvellheim (NTNU)