DESCRIPTION OF THE SESSION

As the urgency to address climate change intensifies, the decarbonization of buildings emerges crucial for substantial CO2 reduction. This imperative task, particularly relevant for the ventilation sector and needs a holistic approach. This workshop will delve into the challenges and opportunities of implementing effective building ventilation for building decarbonization with a focus on existing buildings. Participants will explore current hurdles and potential breakthroughs, fostering dynamic discussions. The workshop evaluates the important role of regulations and policies in promoting decarbonization efforts within building ventilation. Emerging technologies will spotlight their potential to enhance ventilation for decarbonization purposes through cutting-edge solutions. The discourse widens to encompass social and behavioral aspects, recognizing the need for holistic approaches to promote sustainable ventilation practices. This collaborative workshop serves as a platform for dynamic discussions on cutting-edge innovations, regulatory frameworks, and global best practices. Through active promotion of collaboration among experts, the session aims to bridge understanding gaps, and foster a comprehensive exchange of ideas. Ultimately, the event aspires to be a catalyst for transformative change in sustainable building ventilation practices on a global scale.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SESSION

This will be an interdisciplinary, facilitated workshop with break-out groups and discussion, where participants will consider questions to understand how building ventilation is currently impacting in this energy transition, and how we should address our work and future research.

1. Identifying the potential approaches, we can use to reduce CO2 emissions related to building ventilation.
2. Outlining current gaps and/or barriers for building ventilation strategies to meet climate goals and develop suggestions on how to address those gaps and/or barriers.
3. Understanding why these strategies are necessary for meeting the climate goals and how we can improve them and integrate them into our projects. 

Workshop experience: To write an AIVC VIP paper explaining the experience and sharing the results of the workshop.

SESSION PROGRAMME

1. Introduction, Iain Walker/Núria Casquero-Modrego, LBNL, USA
2. Retrofitting and Ventilation: Challenges, Benefits and Lessons Learnt, James McGrath, Maynooth University, Ireland
3. Ventilation and retrofitting for achieving Sustainable Development Goals, Constanza Molina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
4. Group discussion
5. Summary and conclusions

List of initial QUESTIONS for Group Discussion

This will be an interdisciplinary, facilitated workshop with break-out groups and discussion, where participants will consider questions such as:

VENTILATION

1. What challenges and opportunities are associated with building ventilation in the context of decarbonization and its relationship to building resilience?
2. How does ventilation and indoor air quality (IAQ) relate to the electrification aspect of home decarbonization, particularly in terms of reducing contaminants in homes by eliminating indoor combustion? Additionally, how might this extend to combustion by products that are vented outside but re-enter the indoor environment, such as particles?
3. Challenges between controlling ventilation to minimize energy use vs. controlling to minimize CO2 emissions (i.e., considering the time variation of CO2 in electric power generation).

RETROFITTING

1. What factors can motivate individuals to pursue energy retrofitting and decarbonization? Is it driven by environmental concern, improved thermal comfort, health benefits, regulatory requirements, available grants, or reduced energy bills?
2. How might we leverage this understanding to encourage decarbonization, while maintaining good IAQ?

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

1. What innovations or emerging technologies show potential in improving building ventilation for decarbonization purposes?
2. What are the challenges and opportunities for the industry to be involved in this decarbonization effort?
3. What roles does the industry need to play beyond just developing new technology?

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. Sustainability is becoming a popular buzzword, but does it contribute to or hinder decarbonization efforts in building ventilation?
2. What will motivate change? (For example, regulations, incentives, etc.)
3. What impact do regulations, policies, and emerging technologies have on advancing building ventilation for decarbonization?
4. Are there any social or behavioural aspects that need to be considered in promoting sustainable practices related to building ventilation?
5. What are the economic implications of transitioning to more sustainable building ventilation solutions, and how can these be addressed?
6. From a global perspective, are there best practices or successful case studies in building ventilation decarbonization that can serve as models for other regions?

SESSION CHAIRS

1. Núria Casquero-Modrego, LBNL, USA
2. Iain Walker, LBNL, USA

SESSION DURATION

• 90 minutes