Shall We Let the Fossils Rest in Peace?

When it comes to energy usage and carbon emissions reports, it’s easy to vilify the HVACR industry. While we, as humans, certainly enjoy the comfort and convenience provided by our heating and cooling equipment, researchers insist those benefits come with a heavy set of carbon consequences in the climate change arena.
According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, 70 million American homes and businesses burn fossil fuels (natural gas, oil, or propane) on-site to heat their spaces and water, generating 560 million tons of carbon dioxide each year—one-tenth of total U.S. emissions.
Before we go any further, let me be clear: This column is not a referendum on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels have played a prominent role in our existence and will be a part of our energy future for years to come, whether we like it or not.
That said, when it comes to fossil fuels — and really every action in life —there are pros and cons. With the good, comes the bad (someone cue George Thorogood’s “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”).
So, on a broad scale, what are the pros and cons of fossil fuel-based energy production in 2021 and beyond, and why can’t we quickly embrace a more decarbonized, electrified approach in this country?

Pros and Cons

America’s dependence on fossil fuels is deep-seated. Beginning in the mid-18th century, coal-fueled steam engines emerged. Later, combustion equipment embraced oil and petroleum fuels.
Found in the earth’s subsoil, fossil fuels tend to burn very well. For decades, these fuels have been widely considered excellent energy sources due to their affordability, availability, and accessibility. The infrastructure to locate, produce, refine, and transport this energy is firmly in place. And, we’ve been able to spin off valuable products, such as plastics, through their production.
That said, with the good comes the bad. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable — they can only be used once. They’re dangerous to produce and refine, as occurrences of mining collapses and oil rig explosions do occur, and (many believe) their burden to the planet's soil, water, and air is significant.
Renewable energy comes in many forms, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, etc. As long as the sun is shining, the wind is blowing, or the water is flowing, these energies may be reproduced time and time again. Maintenance tends to be lower as there are fewer moving parts, and they tend to be better on the environment as they don’t rely on combustible fuel elements to produce energy.
Of course, renewable energy is not without its hang-ups as well: It requires all new infrastructure, thus the upfront costs tend to be significantly more than traditional fuel sources. While naturally occurring energy sources (i.e., sun, wind) are certainly useful, they can be detrimental as well. If the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn't blowing, you can’t capture its kinetic energy. And while storage capabilities continue to improve by leaps and bounds (see Engineered Systems' May cover story), they’re still somewhat costly and underdeveloped.

A Difficult Transition

Despite your personal opinion on the state of our nation's energy, the reality is that fossil fuels will be around for years to come.
For starters, fossil fuel companies are extremely powerful in the political arena. For years, lobbyists have denied the evidence of climate change and continue to stuff political coffers through timely political contributions.

While decreasing in price, renewable energy technologies and infrastructure are largely unproven and nonexistent. And, retrofitting an entire country will certainly be a time-consuming, cumbersome endeavor.
That said, numerous firms and organizations are embracing this sustainability challenge and sprinting toward a cleaner energy future. While publishing a cumulative list of which firm is doing what would prove both exhaustive and challenging, here are a few firms/organization that have embarked on this sustainability journey.

• McKinstry has pledged to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040;

• WSP USA has launched a new climate, resilience, and sustainability business;

• Jacobs has committed to 100% renewable energy and net-zero carbon and has set a 2030 carbon negative goal; and

• Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute's (AHRI's) board approved a decarbonization general position statement and establishes the HVACR industry as a resource.

Future Fuels

As engineers, we’re tasked to provide clients with the best, most advantageous, and efficient comfort whenever possible. Going forward, cleaner energy sources must enter into this equation.
This month’s issue of Engineered Systems showcases how engineering firms are embracing this electrification evolution in articles written by Staci Atwater, associate and project manager/mechanical engineer, Glumac; and Peter Dahl, Ph.D., LEED AP BD+C & O+M, CEM, and Leighton Deer, P.E., HBDP, LEED AP, BD+C, HGA. It’s our hope you find these articles enlightening and educational. We’ll continue to publish stories in this vein in an effort to help keep your firm ahead of the curve. If you have similar stories you’d like to share, don’t hesitate to give me a ring, as we'd love to broadcast your success.
While we’re thankful for the trials, tribulations, successes, and failures of yesterday’s engineers, we must not rest on their laurels. The blueprint to a cleaner, more sustainable future exists; it’s up to us to design and build America’s tomorrow so that we can step out of yesterday’s shadow.