Environmental Implications of Construction Site Energy Use and Electricity Generation1
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 133, Issue 11
Abstract
The construction industry is responsible for environmental impacts that include air emissions, waste generation, and the use of land, water, and energy. However, most prior construction research attention has focused on these impacts only for material selection and building operation. The focus here is the environmental and energy implications of the construction process, specifically on-site energy consumption. Existing estimates of energy use and environmental emissions for the industry are tied to large construction vehicles, but other equipment consumes energy in various forms. This research creates a broader boundary for considering the energy use and environmental impacts of engines and vehicles used for construction activities by estimating these effects and comparing them to other national-level impacts. Results indicate that fuel use estimates for construction equipment are almost double the levels suggested by government reports; accordingly, air emission impacts are 30% larger for particulate matter and almost double levels of oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds. Quantitative and qualitative analysis regarding how U.S. diesel engine and fuel regulations could significantly reduce air emissions from construction sites is also provided. If fully implemented, these regulations could initiate the manufacture and use of portable generators that make on-site electricity generation comparable to the electricity grid in terms of air emissions.
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Acknowledgments
The writers thank the National Science Foundation for support (Grant No. NSF0328074), as well as for a Research Experience for Undergraduates grant that supported Michael Roth. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and not of the National Science Foundation. The research and opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of the Green Building Alliance.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 133 • Issue 11 • November 2007
Pages: 846 - 854
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Mar 3, 2006
Accepted: May 21, 2007
Published online: Nov 1, 2007
Published in print: Nov 2007
Notes
Portions of an older version of this manuscript were presented at ASCE’s 2005 Construction Research Congress.
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