Maryam Abbasi Kamazani wins Best Paper for optimizing embodied energy at Net Zero Carbon Conference
Maryam Abbasi Kamazani Wins Best paper 1st International Conference on Net Zero Carbon Built Environment.
“Addressing environmental impacts of buildings through the optimization of embodied energy factor”
The construction and operation of buildings significantly impact our environment, accounting for over 40% of both global energy consumption and carbon emissions. While most of this energy is used to power heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment within the building, a substantial amount also stems from the initial construction process, including material extraction, transportation, and assembly. To successfully minimize the environmental footprint of buildings, we need to address both the energy used in their daily operation and the energy embedded in their construction.
In support of reducing the environmental impact of buildings, Maryam Abbasi Kamazani’s paper, “Addressing environmental impacts of buildings through the optimization of embodied energy factor,” was awarded the best paper at the 1st International Conference on Net Zero Carbon Built Environment. This conference, held in Nottingham, UK, focused on strategies to achieve global sustainability and combat climate change through net-zero initiatives. Kamazani’s research, conducted under the supervision of Dr. Manish K. Dixit, aims to empower architects, engineers, contractors, and home builders to make informed choices that balance operational energy efficiency with minimized embodied energy in building design, thus paving the way for a net-zero carbon built environment.
The innovative approach lies in the use of a unique indicator called the embodied energy factor, which quantifies the energy cost associated with saving one unit of operational energy. This factor enables the comparison of different design strategies, empowering professionals to identify options that achieve equivalent operational energy savings while minimizing the embodied energy impact.
By encompassing both embodied and operational energy considerations within a single metric, this indicator facilitates a holistic approach to building design optimization. The significance of this research is further underscored by the invitation to publish it in a special issue of the prestigious journal, Building and Environment. This work is an integral part of Dr. Dixit’s broader research project, funded by the National Science Foundation, which aims to evaluate building designs from a comprehensive energy-carbon-water nexus viewpoint.
