Hoogland's Comfort Canopy

2.1.3 Discussion
Team H1 discussed two points of this text. Firstly,
cross-contamination and impurity is the main
drawback for the building materials to be used several
times. Classifying materials and elements with
concepts like material passports is still a complex
problem considering the existing material stock.
This complex problem will need a complex solution
and it will take time. Secondly, the energy needed
in the world is constantly increasing in different
sectors like SWHs, solar dryers, space heating,
and cooling systems and water
desalination (Mekhilef, Saidur, &
Safari, 2011). These require lower
temperatures and it is more compatible
with solar energy. It is
doubtful that if renewable energy
will ever become available and
enough for the heavy industry.
Both texts argue that by preferring recycled materials
in a building, embodied energy is limited by
skipping the extraction and reaction energy. This is
another argument in the same direction with the
first text, supporting the reuse of the materials by
smelting and reforming. However, in some cases,
it is argued that the saved energy does not compensate
for the loss during the collection stage
(Dyer, 2014). A sensible material management system
should be established to avoid these contradictions.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s “butterfly
diagram” (Fig. 2.1.3) shows these relations comprehensively.
The second study defends that
the increased embodied energy
use has more benefits than its
drawbacks. Considering the
Dutch housing stock, a total 36%
energy saving can be achieved by
a 35% embodied energy increase.
This supports the view in the first
text. The paper also shows it
clearly that the share of recycled
material used in the construction
sector affects the embodied energy
use.
Figure 2.1.3: Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s “butterfly diagram” (Source: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/images/circular-economy/System_diagram_cropped.jpg)
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