Guidelines for public policies development against the growing demand of energy for space cooling in buildings

Abstract

This article addresses the problems derived from the increase in energy demand  for space cooling in buildings - a trend that is verified globaly -, the recent changes in production and consumption patterns and their negative effects on the environment; the vicious circle between the generation of electrical energy from a matrix highly dependent on fossil sources and the frequency of extreme events such as heat waves in the most densely populated area of the country in the (AMBA) Buenos Aires. Guidelines are presented for a systemic approach considering the complexity of the environmental impact coming from energy consumption. On and off grid electricity generation with renewable energy, the development of effective methodologies to act in regulatory terms on passive techniques in buildings and affordable intervention strategies on the market regarding the sale of active thermal conditioning systems (HVAC).