According to the Hanoi Energy Conservation Centre (Hanoi ECC), building blocks were one of the central objects to be subject to energy saving measures in the city in 2014. Thanks to the solutions including counselling, support, building blocks in the city have saved 535.3 TOEs and reduced 2,118 tons of CO2 emissions.

Statistics show that tall buildings such as hotels, skycrapers and commercial buildings consume 35-40% of the total power consumption. Thus, if we can implement energy savings procedures in this area, the total power savings for the society will be very huge. However, in reality, about 95% of commercial buildings and high-rise buildings in Vietnam do not integrate energy efficiency into the basic designs and operation of the facilities. This is a huge waste, especially when the national building growth rate is very high. The total floor area of ​​commercial buildings and high-rise apartments grows at a rate of 6% to 7% per year.

The survey by ECC assessing the current energy using of 10 office buildings in Hanoi showed that 98% of the energy used is electricity. The remaining 2% is gas and oil. In particular, air conditioning, lighting and elevator systems are devices which consume the most energy. According to Hanoi ECC, over 10 buildings were  calculated, if applicable energy-saving enhancement solutions and technical management are implemented, we can save nearly 1.3 billion kWh of electricity per year. This figure is equivalent to about 15% of total electricity consumption.

The energy savings potential is very huge, so the building is one of the central objects to be subject to energy saving measures by the city in 2014. Accordingly, the city has supported and disseminated for more than 70 buildings on Energy Management System according to ISO 50001: 2011; QCVN 09: 2013 /BXD. 

In 2014, Hanoi also supported raising the efficiency of energy in 60 buildings in the area, supported energy audits, proposed 59 measures of energy efficiency for 11 buildings with a total savings when the solutions are implemented is 535.3 TOEs, while reducing 2,118 tons of CO2 emissions, 19 out of 59 solutions were implemented.

Specifically, for office buildings, 33 buildings were constructed with power forecast guidance and the areas with the most potential energy saving were evaluated. Besides, eight buildings were supported with energy audits. CMC Tower was helped to build supporting energy management model, which was replicated to other buildings.

According to Hanoi ECC, the whole city has been making efforts to save energy in 2015 at around 6 to 9%. If we deeply focus on saving energy in buildings, this figure can be fully achieved.

Quang Minh