Embodied energy

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Embodied energy[1] on Mars is the measure of all the energy required for the preparation of products or services. It allows for a useful comparison of various materials that can be produced in-situ for the construction of martian settlements

In common materials (from Wikipedia, needs to be adapted to Mars)

Selected data from the Inventory of Carbon and Energy ('ICE') prepared by the University of Bath (UK)

Material Energy MJ per kg Carbon kg CO

2 per kg

Density kg /m3 Mars notes
Water Melting or condensing from atmosphere
Compressed Regolith Blocks (CRB) to be determined
Aggregate 0.083 0.0048 2240 This is the energy required to crush and sort the aggregate that is used for concrete production or road building
Concrete (1:1.5:3) 1.11 0.159 2400 This is for M20 concrete, slightly better than average concrete
Bricks (common) 3 0.24 1700
Concrete block (Medium density) 0.67 0.073 1450
Aerated block 3.5 0.3 750
Limestone block 0.85 2180
Marble 2 0.116 2500 May not be available on Mars
Cement mortar (1:3) 1.33 0.208 Cement with sand mixed in
Steel (general, av. recycled content) 20.1 1.37 7800 From Iron, does this include iron production?
Stainless steel 56.7 6.15 7850 From Iron ore. Meteoritic iron might require much less energy
Timber (general, excludes sequestration) 8.5 0.46 480–720 Unlikely, at first. Bamboo glued structural elements might provide similar services
Glue laminated timber 12 0.87
Cellulose insulation (loose fill) 0.94–3.3 43
Cork insulation 26 160 Unlikely on Mars
Glass fibre insulation (glass wool) 28 1.35 12
Flax insulation 39.5 1.7 30
Rockwool (slab) 16.8 1.05 24
Expanded Polystyrene insulation 88.6 2.55 15–30
Polyurethane insulation (rigid foam) 101.5 3.48 30
Wool (recycled) insulation 20.9 25 Probably more expensive on Mars
Straw bale 0.91 100–110 Probably much more expensive on Mars, depends on the value of biomass
Mineral fibre roofing tile 37 2.7 1850
Slate 0.1–1.0 0.006–0.058 1600
Clay tile 6.5 0.45 1900 Clay deposits are available
Aluminium (general & incl 33% recycled) 155 8.24 2700 Alumina is common, but perhaps not in concentrated ores
Bitumen (general) 51 0.38–0.43 Non existent on Mars
Medium-density fibreboard 11 0.72 680–760
Plywood 15 1.07 540–700
Plasterboard 6.75 0.38 800
Gypsum plaster 1.8 0.12 1120
Glass 15 0.85 2500
PVC (general) 77.2 2.41 1380
Vinyl flooring 65.64 2.92 1200
Terrazzo tiles 1.4 0.12 1750
Ceramic tiles 12 0.74 2000
Wool carpet 106 5.53
Wallpaper 36.4 1.93
Vitrified clay pipe (DN 500) 7.9 0.52 Might be interesting for many uses
Iron (general) 25 1.91 7870
Copper (average incl. 37% recycled) 42 2.6 8600
Lead (incl 61% recycled) 25.21 1.57 11340
Ceramic sanitary ware 29 1.51
Paint - Water-borne 59 2.12
Paint - Solvent-borne 97 3.13

Plastics, for example, have a high value of embodied energy and therefore are not the best choices for construction materials, of other choices are available.

Aluminium requires much more energy than Steel or iron and therefore is less likely to be used for construction on Mars.

The values for woods and other biological products may not include embodied solar energy. This needs to be researched further.

Photovoltaic (PV) Cells Type Energy MJ per m2 Carbon kg CO

2 per m2

Monocrystalline (average) 4750 242
Polycrystalline (average) 4070 208
Thin film (average) 1305 67

PV cells require very high amounts of energy to manufacture and are likely to be more economical to transport from earth in the earlier stages of a colony.

References