Designing For Resilience: Surge Protection In Sustainable Building Projects
In architectural design, one goal soars above the rest: creating spaces as resilient as they are elegant. Not only should these structures endure the test of time, but they should also withstand an array of extreme conditions, from seismic activity and flooding to power surges.
Furthermore, projects contributing to sustainability, like nature-based protection, are gaining traction with communities and governments, according to Arch Daily. One includes the Living Breakwaters project on the coast of Tottenville, where interdisciplinary teams work together to minimize storm surges on the shorelines.
However, architects and designers often overlook the effects of power surges in the quest for sustainable design. Thus, it’s critical to address them head-on to ensure safe and functional buildings. That said, this article highlights the importance of integrating surge protection into sustainable building projects. Continue reading for more insight into its numerous advantages and how to incorporate it effectively:
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Resilience and sustainability: twin pillars of modern architecture
Resilience and sustainability have emerged as the twin pillars of contemporary architecture. The growing demand for environmentally friendly construction is impossible to ignore. More importantly, it's increasingly clear that modern buildings must preserve the world and prove resilient against the unexpected.
With global electricity consumption expected to rise by 80% by 2040, people’s reliance on electrical systems in buildings will only increase. This growing demand underscores the importance of surge protector incorporation in designing structures that can withstand electrical anomalies. Ultimately, this could ensure continuous, unhindered function.
Understanding surge protection: a key player in building resilience
Before delving into the intricacies of surge protection in sustainable design, understand what a power surge is first. It’s an abrupt, intense spike in voltage that significantly exceeds the standard voltage level.
Power surges can originate from various sources, like:
Lightning strikes
Faulty wiring
Power grid disturbances
These surges can cause severe damage to electrical devices, disrupt operations, and lead to
substantial repair costs if unchecked. Surge protection devices (SPDs) can come in handy in such circumstances. They’re designed to regulate voltage levels, swiftly diverting excess voltage away from sensitive electrical systems and devices. In other words, they act as a protective shield, ensuring the electrical infrastructure's longevity and resilience.
The indispensable role of surge protection in sustainable building projects
At first glance, surge protection may not seem directly linked to sustainability. On the contrary, it plays a pivotal role in sustainable design—it contributes to the resilience and longevity of a building's electrical infrastructure.
Moreover, Science Direct reports that power resilience prepares an electrical system for various hazards. It also improves the system's ability to anticipate, absorb, adapt, and rapidly recover from disruptive events.
Here are three more reasons why surge protection is indispensable in sustainable building projects:
Energy efficiency: Integrating surge protection can optimize energy consumption by regulating voltage and preventing electrical equipment from overheating.
Prevention of material waste: Damage from power surges often results in significant material waste. Integrating surge protection into a building's design can prevent premature equipment failure, thus reducing waste.
Longevity of building systems: SPDs enhance the longevity of building systems, minimizing the frequency of repairs and replacements. In turn, it contributes to resource conservation and cost savings.
Without an urgent need to replace any part of a home, homeowners contribute to a greener future. Arguably, it could be the best benefit of having sufficient surge protection.
Implementing surge protection in sustainable buildings: a practical guide
Now that the crucial role of surge protection in sustainable design has been established, here’s how to incorporate it effectively.
Assess the risk: Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment could identify potential sources of power surges. It’ll guide the placement and type of SPDs required.
Choose the right SPDs: Selecting the right SPDs is critical to adequate surge protection. Factors like the building's electrical infrastructure, equipment sensitivity, and potential surge sources should guide this decision.
Professional installation: Proper installation of SPDs is essential to ensure their effectiveness. Trained professionals should handle this task, following best practices for building and testing.
Regular maintenance and monitoring: Lastly, like any other building component, SPDs require regular maintenance and monitoring. This step ensures they continue functioning optimally, maintaining the building's resilience over time.
Case Study: Surge Protection In LEED-Certified Buildings
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement in building design. Including surge protection in LEED-certified buildings underscores its importance in sustainable design.
After all, buildings are responsible for between 30% and 40% of the world's energy consumption, according to MDPI. They also explore the question if LEED-certified buildings, like the ones below, are indeed more energy efficient:
Oregon Convention Center, Portland, U.S.A.
Olympic House, Switzerland
One Vanderbilt, New York, U.S.A.
Vancouver Convention Center, Canada
Frick Environmental Center, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
Shanghai Tower, China
The Bullitt Center, Seattle, U.S.A.
For these buildings to achieve LEED certification, they had to adhere to prerequisites that address different factors influencing their eco-friendly status. The system awards points corresponding to various levels, as explained below:
Certified: 40-49 points
Silver: 50-59 points
Gold: 60-79 points
Platinum: 80+ points
Its holistic approach doesn't solely focus on one specific element. Instead, it considers the bigger picture. Of course, LEED certification factors electrical resilience and surge protection into their calculations.
In a recent project, an office building aiming for LEED certification incorporated an extensive surge protection system to protect the building's electrical equipment, lighting, HVAC, and renewable energy installations. The result was a robust, resilient building that minimized electrical disturbances, resulting in increased energy efficiency, reduced material waste, and enhanced building system longevity.
Concluding Thoughts
As the world navigates the shifting landscape of modern architecture, resilience and sustainability must go hand in hand. The facts demonstrate that surge protection is critical in
achieving this vision.
Safeguarding buildings' electrical infrastructure bolsters their adaptability to various circumstances, optimizes energy use, prevents material waste, and enhances longevity—all cornerstones of sustainable design.
Striving toward a sustainable future, don't overlook this crucial aspect of resilient design. With adequate surge protection, buildings will be green and well-equipped to stand firm in the face of electrical adversity, embodying the essence of resilience.
Author: Designing Team
Cover image by on AdobeStock
