Rokna: A member of the Tehran Engineering System's board of directors stated, "If we initiate building optimization projects, we can achieve a very significant reduction in energy consumption. By investing in optimizing the boiler rooms of buildings, insulating their external shell, and replacing very low-efficiency heaters with high-efficiency ones, we can save at least more than 100 million cubic meters of gas per day across the country, equivalent to the gas production of 5 South Pars refineries."
In the context of preserving this amount of energy in the country, there are many ways to do so, one of the most important, effective, and accessible being energy conservation in the construction industry.
Ramin Karami, a board member of the Tehran Engineering System and the head of the Energy and Environment Commission of the Building Engineering System Organization of Tehran Province, discussed energy consumption optimization through a shift in construction practices in the country with Rokna: "In Iran, we are witnessing an imbalance in gas supply; therefore, we need to organize this sector in building construction as it is one of the main consumers of the gas network. The maximum capacity for distribution and consumption in the gas network is approximately 750 million cubic meters per day, which, outside the winter season, averages about 250 million cubic meters in the residential sector, with the remainder allocated to industries such as transport, agriculture, etc. However, in winter, this figure exceeds 500 million cubic meters per day, with 70 to 80 percent of the total network consumption relating to gas use in buildings and the residential sector."
Dr. Ramin Karami added, "Most existing buildings in the country are old and lack insulated facades, with minimal thermal resistance, primarily because of the very low energy prices in the country which, consequently, leads to a lack of attention to standard, insulating materials and the use of high-efficiency appliances. The most basic task in this regard is to update heating systems across all buildings and implement intelligent control systems."
A solution to reduce over 100 million cubic meters of gas in the country
This board member emphasized, "By starting building optimization projects, we can achieve a very significant reduction in energy consumption. In fact, by investing in optimizing boiler rooms of buildings, insulating their external shell, and replacing very low-efficiency heaters with high-efficiency ones in other buildings lacking boiler rooms, we can save at least more than 100 million cubic meters of gas per day in the country, equivalent to the gas production of 5 South Pars refineries."
The world will restrict the use of fossil fuels from 2035 onwards
The head of the Energy and Environment Commission of the Tehran Engineering System stressed that gas consumption intensity in Iran is more than four times the global average. "Because we have always had abundant fossil fuels in Iran, the gas network has developed based on this, and infrastructural planning has been done accordingly. However, it is interesting to know that everywhere in the world, based on environmental protocols, fossil fuels are being phased out. For example, from 2035 onwards, the use of fossil fuels will rarely be seen in the world, and they will be used in upstream industries to create high-value-added goods. Gulf countries including Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are working on developing 'green hydrogen' fuel and producing hydrogen in electrolysis power plants using solar and wind energy."
Using oil and gas in upstream industries creates 50 to 100 times more value-added
He continued, "Ship fuels will also change to methanol from 2030 onwards. Producing valuable products from oil and gas in upstream industries will cause 50 to 100 times more value-added. This way, the groundwork for operations is formed, pollutants are reduced, and the environment is preserved for future generations."
Ramin Karami concluded, "Our officials have accepted this change in direction; however, its implementation requires substantial budgets and support from both the public and private sectors. If investment in this area is made swiftly, the return on investment can be seen within a year, and that capital will be recovered. Energy-intensive industries, including steel, petrochemicals, and cement, have their gas supply cut in winter due to increased residential consumption. Currently, energy-intensive industries are ready to invest in the energy and construction sectors. Ultimately, this stored energy in the residential sector is used in their own industry in winter, creating a win-win situation. In fact, the Ministry of Petroleum and the National Gas Company can, based on energy exchange laws, deliver these stored gas allowances to these industries in winter."
