ESD design guide for Australian Government buildings: Edition 2

glossary
glossary
Fuel Cells
Used in electrical generation. This is an
apparatus used for combining fuel and
oxides to generate electricity. It is the
conversion of chemicals to electrical
energy. (Energy Australia www.energy.
com.au).
G
Global warming potential (GWP)
GWP is a measure of how much a given
mass of greenhouse gas is estimated to
contribute to global warming. It is a relative
scale which compares the gas in question
to that of the same mass of carbon dioxide
whose GWP is one. An exact definition
can be found at the IPCC web site.
Examples of the GWP of gases are as
follows:
• carbon dioxide has a GWP of exactly
1 (since it is the baseline unit to
which all other greenhouse gases are
compared.)
• methane has a GWP of 21
• nitrogen dioxide has a GWP of 310
• Some hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)
compounds have GWPs of several
thousands (HFC-23 is 11,700).
Greenfield Site
Land on which no development has
previously taken place. Usually on the
periphery of an existing built-up area.
(Corus Construction Centre glossary,
http://www.corusconstruction.com/page_
9041.htm).
Greenhouse gases
Gases which contribute to global warming
by preventing the outward radiation of
heat from the Earth which increases the
atmosphere’s absorption of sunlight
(the greenhouse effect). Greenhouse
gases are measured in carbon dioxide
equivalent units. Some greenhouse
gases are naturally occurring (water
vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide and ozone). Others result from
human activities, the most powerful of
which are: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur
hexafluoride (SF6). (Property Council of
Australia, Sustainable Development Guide,
2001).
Green lease schedule
A lease schedule that sets out the mutual
obligation for building owners, managers
and tenants regarding environmental
performance.
Green power
Electricity generated from clean renewable
sources, such as the sun, wind, water and
organic matter. The electricity is bought
by energy suppliers on behalf of their
customers. (Property Council of Australia,
Sustainable Development Guide, 2001).
Green Star
Green Star was developed and funded
by industry and government. Green
Star’s framework brings existing tools
and standards together under one
unified system. Green Star rating tools
are relevant to building type, phase of
development cycle and geographical
location. Green Star awards points for
best practice initiatives and, as such,
projects that receive a Green Star Certified
Rating have demonstrated leadership and
are considered to be in the top quartile of
the market. Green Star rating tools are
being released for all building types (office,
retail, education, health, residential etc.).
Groundwater
Water within the earth that supplies
wells and springs; water in the zone of
saturation where all openings in rocks and
soil are filled, the upper surface of which
forms the water table. (Property Council of
Australia, Sustainable Development Guide,
2001).
H
Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
HCFCs were used as the original
replacement for CFCs and are still
commonly used. HCFCs, like CFCs,
cause ozone depletion, but to a lesser
extent. HCFCs are being phased out
under the Montreal Protocol. (Melbourne
Docklands ESD Guide, Oct 2002).
Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs)
Transitional replacements for CFCs, they
are also greenhouse gases. (Property
Council of Australia, Sustainable
Development Guide, 2001).
HVAC systems
The equipment, distribution network and
terminals that provide either collectively
or individually the processes of heating,
ventilation or air-conditioning to a building.
(Property Council of Australia, Sustainable
Development Guide, 2001).
I
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC)
The IPCC was established in 1988 by two
United Nations organizations, the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO)
and the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) to assess the “risk
of human-induced climate change”. The
Panel is open to all members of the WMO
and UNEP.
Its reports are widely cited and have
been highly influential in forming national
and international responses to climate
change, yet some of the scientists whose
work is summarized in these reports have
accused the IPCC of bias.
Indoor air quality (IAQ)
Includes the introduction and distribution
of adequate ventilation air, control of
airborne contaminants and maintenance
of acceptable temperature and relative
humidity. (Property Council of Australia,
Sustainable Development Guide, 2001).
Indoor environment quality (IEQ)
This factor describes the cumulative
effects of indoor air quality, lighting
and thermal conditions. Poor IEQ is
responsible for health problems in the
work place. (Melbourne Docklands ESD
Guide, Oct 2002).
Integrated design
A design process that mobilises
multidisciplinary design input and
cooperation, ideally to maximise and
integrate environmental and economic
life cycle benefits. (Property Council of
Australia, Sustainable Development Guide,
2001).
ISO 14000
International standards for EMS’ -
ISO14001 and ISO14004 are international
standards concerning Environmental
Management Systems, and include
specifications and guidelines. (Melbourne
Docklands ESD Guide, Oct 2002).
ISO 7730
International standard for thermal
comfort – this standard is based on a
determination of the PMV (Predicted Mean
Vote) and PPD (Predicted Percentage
Dissatisfied) indices, and specification
of the conditions for thermal comfort.
(Melbourne Docklands ESD Guide, Oct
2002).
J
K
Kyoto Protocol
An international agreement reached in
1997 in Kyoto, Japan, which extends
the commitment of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate
Change. In particular, it sets targets for
future emissions by each developed
country over the first commitment period
and foreshadows further action over future
commitment periods. (Property Council of
Australia, Sustainable Development Guide,
2001).
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ESD DESIGN GUIDE FOR AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS