Answer

Part B

B1

Total carbon emission is characterized by number of attributes.

B2

The major components of a reliable renewable energy system are as follows:

Generation from renewable sources

As one of the first and most fundamental components of a renewable energy system, generation from renewable sources involves generating renewable electrical energy from solar, wind, hydro, biofuels, biomass, and other renewable sources. Unlike traditional sources such as diesel, these sources are renewable in the sense that they cannot be depleted. 

Transmission

The second component, transmission, involves transmitting the generated electrical energy to various substations through traditional alternating current lines and high voltage direct current transmission (HVDC). This component includes a number of subcomponents: step-up transformers, transmission lines, substations, and masts among other components.

Distribution

The distribution component of the reliable renewable energy system comprise involves distributing or delivering the electrical energy to final consumers and loads who can be commercial or residential. Like the other components, the distribution comprises various subcomponents including step-down transformers, power cables, distribution lines, substations, and meter boxes among other elements.

B3.

1. Transportation

The university can reduce the life-cycle cost of the new building complex by reducing the amount of travel for students and the teaching staff. One of the ways to so is to locate lecture halls on the ground and first floor to minimize the use of lifts and escalators, and hence reduce energy consumption. The second way is to locate the complex closer to the gate to minimize the distance travelled by students. 

1. Indoor water efficiency

The university can improve indoor water efficiency, and accordingly reduce the life-cycle cost of the new building complex by installing smart taps – taps whose opening and closing will be controlled by sensors. The taps close instantly after detecting that a hand has been removes, and this can save up to hundreds of litres of water every day.

• Thermal comfort and lighting

Thermal comfort and lighting are perhaps the areas that the university should focus the most when reducing the life-cycle cost of the new building complex. One of the ways is to make the complex a low-energy house by improving its insulation through incorporation of the principle of controlled ventilation with heat gain. Other energy saving measure that the university should take to address the aspect of thermal comfort and lighting include installing solar thermal system, installing energy-saving LED bulbs in place of the traditional lighting systems, and using electricity generated from renewable sources. 

B4

Some of the problems associated with urban sprawl include traffic congestion, strained social amenities, increasing costs of housing, poor sanitation, and a rise in social evil.