Reducing Carbon Footprints with Prefabricated Modular Construction
Modular prefabricated constructions reduce the carbon emissions associated with new constructions. Prefabrication offers a multifaceted approach to reducing embodied carbon emissions. It enables precise material control, minimizing waste compared to traditional on-site construction. Local manufacturing in controlled settings reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance material transportation. The transportation of compact, stackable prefabricated components is more efficient, and the ease of on-site assembly shortens construction timelines, curbing emissions from heavy machinery. Additionally, prefabrication limits on-site construction activities, decreasing environmental disruption and lowering associated carbon emissions.
Image courtesy of C4GS-ZEDlife and ZEDpower
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) completed a report in December 2021 that describes the future of net zero energy housing that keeps costs constant while cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. NREL sought to address energy efficiency and U.S. housing accessibility with modular prefabricated construction. NREL is accomplishing this through installing prefabricated housing units, known as Bloks, on its campuses. They project that by 2030, they can utilize this technology to cut construction material waste by 91%, reduce life cycle GHG emissions by 60%, and preserve 2.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent.
An example of prefabricated construction is the C4GS-ZEDlife’s modular units, in which 3D wood panel structures are produced with precision using CNC machines. The image below demonstrates the detailed design process behind prefabricated constructions.
Image courtesy of C4GS-ZEDlife and ZEDpower
Prefabricated construction is less hazardous to workers and residents than conventional construction sites because there is far less potential for accidents and disruptions. According to Bill Dunster, the Chief Architect of C4GS-ZEDlife, each panel takes about twenty minutes to build. It takes about a week to finish a single-family house. Prefabricated construction can create jobs for communities as most people can be trained to build these strong structural panels.
Image courtesy of C4GS-ZEDlife and ZEDpower
ENERlite Consulting, Inc. provided embodied carbon emission analysis for a single-family dwelling unit manufactured by C4GS-ZEDlife’s modular 3D panels. The analysis shows that the proposed design can reduce the global warming potential (GWP) by up to 30% compared to a baseline with similar thermal performance.
In conclusion, prefabricated modular construction stands out as a crucial strategy for reducing carbon footprints in the construction industry. Its ability to minimize waste, lower emissions, and enhance efficiency makes it a cornerstone of sustainable building practices. With continued innovation and adoption, prefabricated construction will play a vital role in creating a more environmentally friendly and resilient built environment for the future.
Other References:
ENERlite’s lifetime carbon analysis of the MountZED project.
ZEDmodule designed by ZEDpower.
C4GS-ZEDlife’s prefabricated modular construction.
NREL’s report on prefabricated construction.
