Measuring electricity-related GHG emissions and the affordability of electricity in Malaysian low-cost housing: A case study of low-cost housing projects in Kuala Lumpur Noor Suzaini Mohamed Zaid A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Planning and Urban Development Faculty of Built Environment November 2013 THE UNiVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/.Oissertation Sheet Surname or F!!mlly name: Mohamed Zaid First name: Noor Suz.alnl Other name/s: Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: PhD School: Planning and Urban Development Research Faculty: Faculty of Built Environment Title: Measuring electricity-related GHG emissions and the affordability of electricity in Malaysian low-cost housing: A case study of low-cost housing projects in Kuala Lumpur Abstract 350 words maximum: Malaysia Is yet to establish any mandatory energy efficiency or. energy performance building code. In the absence of such legislation, the Malaysian residential sector is likely loclling-in inefficiency for decades Into the future. This research focuses on the public low-cost housing typology (PPR), as the least environmentally researched typology, and has high potential for policy improvements as it is nationally administrated and is a required provision for all new housing developments. A project-specific baseline was developed for the first time in Malaysia using the the UNEP.SCI's Common Carbon Metric (CCM). The CCM tool provides an Internationally comparable baseline that Is consistent with the measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV) framework for GHG emisssions reporting,. therefore was adopted for this research. A case study was conducted to Investigate energy performance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from building operation of two PPR in Kuala Lumpur. The CCM converted utilized electricity bills collected from the National Energy Provider Company (Tenaga Nasional Berhad) and presented GHG emissions of the sample (383 units) us·ing a bottom-up approach, and the PPR 'building stock' in Kuala Lumpur (27,102 units) using a top-down approach. Findings suggest that the average household's electricity consumption was relatively higher than benchmarks set by World Energy Council and the International Energy Agency. The importance of this research lies in generating a measured baseline of electricity consumption and GHG emissions of low-cost urban housing In Malaysia. This research also provided an Indicative report on the affordabllity of electricity for low-income households, as Malaysian low-cost housing Is defined solely on sale price. and/or monthly rental. Affordabllity of electricity is important due to Issues such as energy poverty, access to energy and the rebound effecl Therefore, Investigating percentage of monthly household income spent on electricity and other utilities helps measure operational and long term affordablllty of PPRs. A survey questionnaire was conducted in two PPR to Investigate operational costs of tent, electricity and water, and to measure end-use electricity consumption patterns in terms of average operating time of electrical appliances. Examining end-use electricity consumption patterns was helpful In identifying the typology's energy profile and determining its energy savings potential. The research findings determined which characteristics of the building design can be improved based on electricity consumption data for thermal comfort, lighting and appliances. This research presents for the first time building energy performance data for this typology that is consistent with measurable, reportable and verifiable requirements. Its focus on a developing country experiencing rapid urbanisation gives broader relevance to both research design and methodology, and recommendations for policy makers In Malaysia and South East Asia. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation In whole or In part in the Un1versity libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known , subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights. such as patent rights. I also retain the rig ht to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. 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Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered In exce tlonal circumstances and re ulre the a roval of the Dean of Graduate Research. fOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award: THIS SHEET IS TO BE GLUED TO THE INSIDE FRONT COVER OF THE THESIS ORIGINALITY STATEMENT 'I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentatio nd linguistic expr ion is acknowledged.· Signed Date ........ ... ... ~~~..l.j~J..¥..................... Measuring Electricity-Related GHG Emissions and the Affordability of Electricity in Malaysian Low-Cost Nov 2013 Housing: A Case Study of Low-Cost Housing Projects in Kuala Lumpur Abstract Malaysia is yet to establish any mandatory energy efficiency or energy performance building code. In the absence of such legislation, the Malaysian residential sector is likely locking-in inefficiency for decades into the future. This research focuses on the public low- cost housing typology (PPR), as the least environmentally researched typology, and has high potential for policy improvements as it is nationally administrated and is a required provision for all new housing developments. A project-specific baseline was developed for the first time in Malaysia using the UNEP-SCI’s Common Carbon Metric (CCM). The CCM tool provides an internationally comparable baseline that is consistent with the measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV) framework for GHG emisssions reporting, therefore was adopted for this research. A case study was conducted to investigate energy performance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from building operation of two PPR in Kuala Lumpur. The CCM converted utilized electricity bills collected from the National Energy Provider Company (Tenaga Nasional Berhad) and presented GHG emissions of the sample (383 units) using a bottom- up approach, and the PPR ‘building stock’ in Kuala Lumpur (27,102 units) using a top- down approach. Findings suggest that the average household’s electricity consumption was relatively higher than benchmarks set by World Energy Council and the International Energy Agency. The importance of this research lies in generating a measured baseline of electricity consumption and GHG emissions of low-cost urban housing in Malaysia. This research also provided an indicative report on the affordability of electricity for low- income households, as Malaysian low-cost housing is defined solely on sale price and/or monthly rental. Affordability of electricity is important due to issues such as energy poverty, access to energy and the rebound effect. Therefore, investigating percentage of monthly household income spent on electricity and other utilities helps measure operational and long term affordability of PPRs. A survey questionnaire was conducted in two PPR to investigate operational costs of rent, electricity and water, and to measure end- use electricity consumption patterns in terms of average operating time of electrical appliances. Examining end-use electricity consumption patterns was helpful in identifying the typology’s energy profile and determining its energy savings potential. The research findings determined which characteristics of the building design can be improved based on electricity consumption data for thermal comfort, lighting and appliances. This research presents for the first time building energy performance data for this typology that is i Measuring Electricity-Related GHG Emissions and the Affordability of Electricity in Malaysian Low-Cost Nov 2013 Housing: A Case Study of Low-Cost Housing Projects in Kuala Lumpur consistent with measurable, reportable and verifiable requirements. Its focus on a developing country experiencing rapid urbanisation gives broader relevance to both research design and methodology, and recommendations for policy makers in Malaysia and South East Asia. ii Measuring Electricity-Related GHG Emissions and the Affordability of Electricity in Malaysian Low-Cost Nov 2013 Housing: A Case Study of Low-Cost Housing Projects in Kuala Lumpur Acknowledgements I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to all the people who have