EDGE Certification system

Certification system for the real estate market

 

The EDGE certification system is an evolving certification system created by the international financial organization IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.

 

The EDGE system focuses on the increase of building environmental value and evaluates a building in three categories:

 

  • Energy – the total building energy consumption (heat, electricity and cold)
  • Water – the total building water consumption by indoor fixtures and vegetation irrigation
  • Materials – the embodied energy of the main building materials (the energy spent on the extraction of raw materials and the production of the building materials)

 

In each of these categories, it is necessary to find effective solutions and achieve a minimum of 20% improvement compared to a similar traditional building provided by the EDGE system.

 

The most common international certification systems, such as LEED BREEAM, have  more strict requirements for building performance, require complex calculations for energy efficiency, life cycle assessment, etc. It creates obstacles in expansion of “green” certification to the real estate and construction market, especially in countries and regions where the competence to carry out calculations in accordance with international standards is not sufficiently developed.

 

With minimum efforts the design team can make a project more energy and water efficient and  significantly save operating costs, as well as reduce CO2 emissions during operation of the building. EDGE encourage real estate market to implement more efficient strategies and as a result contribute to green economy growth within set timeline and minimum costs even in the countries which suffer from lack of green building specialists.

 

EDGE provides the design team with EDGE Software – a simple and free integrated online tool. It calculates an impact from the design solutions and helps the design team to find the most cost-effective ways quickly and easily for the building to achieve EDGE target level, assess efficiency and define the probability of certification.

 

We would like to share the experience of HPBS in certification of a residential complex in Tashkent.

 

The project of a residential buildings in Tashkent consists of 12 residential buildings with underground parking and commercial premises. The project claims for the EDGE Advanced level, which confirms the achievement of a 40% reduction in energy consumption.

 

This is the first project in Uzbekistan certified by EDGE, and there are only up to 10 projects certified according to international standards (according to LEED, BREEAM databases as of October 2022) in Uzbekistan.

 

What was done to reach the EDGE Advanced level?

 

ENERGY – 43% reduction in energy consumption

 

  • The design includes an efficient building envelope with triple low-emission glazing. This is the foundation of the building high energy performance. This solution made it possible to gain more than 10% energy efficiency.
  • Efficient condensing gas boilers were installed. The key feature of such boilers is that their efficiency is more than 100% due to the release of additional heat during the condensation of water vapor.
  • Energy-efficient LED lighting is provided.

 

WATER – 35% reduction of water consumption

 

  • The project provides water-efficient fixtures: toilets with two flush modes, aerators on faucets, efficient shower heads.
  • In order to reduce water consumption for irrigation, native and drought-resistant plant species are used in the landscaping.
  • A tank was installed to collect stormwater runoff and condensate from the cooling system. The collected water will be used for irrigation of the territory instead of drinking water.

 

MATERIALS – 35% reduction in the embodied energy of materials

 

  • The design incorporates materials with lower embodied energy values and therefore, in most cases, a lower carbon footprint. For example, aerated concrete blocks instead of bricks were chosen for the exterior walls, and stone wool instead of extruded polystyrene foam was chosen as insulation.

 

The project is not only focused on high environmental performance of energy and resource saving, but also on creating a high-quality environment for its occupants. The project provides high-quality landscaping and open spaces, transport accessibility and availability of services.

 

How HPBS helps to gain EDGE certification?

 

HPBS is a team of professional green building consultants, having accredited EDGE, LEED, WELL and BREEAM Experts in team. This expertise allows Project team to correctly interpret EDGE criteria requirements, reduce time to develop effective design solutions and prepare documents for the design and construction review. HPBS experts take responsibility for the communication and technical support from IFC and optimize assessment processes. HPBS accompany the Project team and the Project Owner during all stages – from the Design to Commissioning, as well as offer solutions to promote EDGE certified green building.

 

 

Authors: Andyuseva Anastasia

Kupriyanova Marina

 

Additionally:

EDGE standart