Sustainable Building Strategies to Tackle the Energy Trilemma

The energy trilemma is a concept that has been gaining traction in recent years as the world attempts to address the challenges of climate change and the need to transition to a more sustainable energy system. The trilemma refers to the three competing priorities that must be balanced when designing and implementing energy systems: affordability, security, and sustainability. In other words, how we keep the lights on and the bills low while reducing emissions.

Successive UK Governments have used the trilemma as a basis for policy. This is not unique to the UK; countries around the world use it in the same way.

The World Energy Council, a UN partner organisation acting as a forum for the global energy transition, publishes an annual World Energy Trilemma index which assesses how well countries worldwide are meeting the energy trilemma. In 2022 it ranked the UK in joint fourth place globally, giving it an AAA score across the three points of the trilemma.

The energy trilemma presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for architects. On the one hand, architects are responsible for designing energy-efficient and sustainable buildings, which can help reduce the overall energy demand and mitigate the impacts of climate change. On the other hand, architects must also consider the affordability and reliability of the energy systems they design, as these factors are critical to the success of any building project.

Exploring the Three Competing Priorities for Affordability, Reliability and Sustainability in Building Design:

Energy Affordability

The affordability of energy is a critical consideration for architects, as it can significantly impact the overall cost of a building project. Energy costs can vary widely depending on the source of energy, the location of the building, and the efficiency of the building’s energy systems. Architects must carefully consider these factors when designing buildings and look for ways to minimise energy costs without compromising sustainability or reliability.

Energy prices rose substantially in 2022, driven mainly by energy security concerns arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The challenge is ensuring we have resilient energy generation to mitigate future instability.

One way to support this and reduce energy costs is to design highly energy-efficient buildings. This can be achieved through a variety of strategies, such as using high-performance insulation, installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances, and incorporating renewable energy design features. By reducing the energy required by a building, architects can help lower the overall energy cost and make buildings more affordable for their occupants.

Energy Security

Energy security means not relying too heavily on any one energy source.

The reliability of energy systems should be a critical consideration for architects. Buildings must be designed to withstand power outages and other disruptions to the energy supply, and architects must ensure that their designs are resilient and adaptable to changing conditions.

One way to improve the reliability of energy systems is to incorporate renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, into building designs. These energy sources are typically more reliable than traditional fossil fuels, as they are not subject to the same supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations. Additionally, renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, can be integrated into building designs to enhance their aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Energy Sustainability

Finally, sustainability is the most critical consideration for architects when it comes to the energy trilemma. Buildings are responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, and architects have a crucial role in reducing these emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

One way to promote sustainability in building design is to incorporate renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, into building designs. This can be achieved through the use of solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy technologies. Additionally, architects can design more energy-efficient buildings using strategies such as passive solar design, high-performance insulation, and energy-efficient lighting and appliances.

Another way to promote sustainability in building design is to incorporate sustainable materials and construction practices. This can include using locally sourced, recycled, or sustainably harvested materials and designing buildings to be more resilient and adaptable to changing environmental conditions.

In Conclusion

The energy trilemma presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for architects and is effectively a trade-off between security, affordability and sustainability.

There is no denying that climate change is here to stay, and with this inevitable future awaiting us, organisations and people need to understand the impact their carbon footprint and potential ambivalence to this future are making.

By balancing the competing priorities of affordability, reliability, and sustainability, architects can design energy-efficient, resilient, and sustainable buildings. Architects can help reduce buildings’ environmental impact and promote a more sustainable energy system by adopting sustainable practices, whether small or large.