Tom De SaullesThe Concrete Centre / CEMBUREAU

11 February 2009

Energy Efficient BuildingsThe sustainable advantages of

concrete structures

EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

National calculation tools must take account of:

1. Building orientation

2. Thermal capacity of the structure

3. Passive solar systems

South

17 to 40º

Low sun from autumn to spring

Using thermal mass for heating

Heat re-radiated into rooms

Using thermal mass for heating

Use

ful H

eat

Lightweight

building

Heavyw

eight

building

100%

75%

50%

25%

0%

Using thermal mass for heating

• Evaluate and respond to opportunities

presented by the EPBD.

• Review the effects of thermal mass

in concrete buildings.

CEMBUREAU

Working group setup in 2004 to:

2 - 9% saving in heating fuel for theoretical building

Results from CEMBUREAU study

3 -10 % saving in heating fuel for real dwellings

Results from CEMBUREAU study

Average European Energy Consumption for Dwellings

(source www.intuser.net)

Portfolio of Low Energy Concrete Buildings

Examples of passive solar design

Nightingale Estate – East London

BedZed – South London

St Matthews – Lambeth

Millennium Green - Nottinghamshire

Adapting to climate change in Europe

Thermal mass in a warming climate

Summer days in 2050 Source: Arup Research and Development

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Tem

pera

ture

(°C

)

External air temperature Low thermal mass High thermal mass

Key points:

When used appropriately, the thermal mass in concrete and other heavyweight materials can:

• improve a building’s year-round energy efficiency.

• help avoid overheating problems in a warming climate.

For further information go to:www.europeanconcrete.euEuropean Concrete Platform

www.bibm.eu International Trade Organization of the Precast Concrete Industry

www.ermco.euEuropean Ready Mixed Concrete Organization

www.cembureau.euThe European Cement Association

www.concretecentre.comThe Concrete Centre (UK)