Energy efficiency in the built environment is critical for sustainable development, especially in an urbanizing Ghana.
Adrian Odamtten, a mechanical engineer in the built environment, is advancing this field in meaningful ways with hopes that it becomes the norm at home.
With over 50 building energy models and reports showing a minimum of 10% cost savings over baseline, Odamtten is credentialed in integrated design processes and energy systems management. According to him, efficiency is the harvest of a careful, continuously improving plan.
“With electricity demand rising across all sectors, we need integrated solutions and energy efficiency measures to keep Ghana’s built spaces functional and affordable. We must apply a converging lens to the long-term facets of our builds and forecast beyond the present. Our continuously evolving usage of energy systems amidst environmental concerns presents a difficult challenge,” he reflects.
Energy modeling—the use of mathematical simulations to predict and optimize energy system performance—is central to improving efficiency in buildings. On a macroenergetic level, models involve analyzing consumption patterns, generation, transmission, and distribution, using predictive methods to identify the most cost-effective and sustainable solutions for the country’s energy needs.
On a microenergetic level, a commercial property would employ tools to predict annual energy requirements using hard parameters like site placement, and modulate mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural systems to quantify building loads.
Historical data is also crucial for existing buildings to identify operational inefficiencies and guide material improvements. Odamtten’s work spans the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, integrating load analyses and mechanical system designs. He predicts annual energy needs for commercial properties to enhance operational efficiency, painting a compelling picture of how modeling can reduce notable energy waste.
Efficient buildings are key to cutting emissions, aligning with Ghana’s commitments to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action). Energy-efficient structures would curb Ghana’s carbon footprint, projected to increase from 28 Mt CO₂e in 2021 to over 140 Mt by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario, per the National Energy Transition Plan. Globally, buildings account for 39% of energy-related CO₂ emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), underscoring the relevance of mechanical engineers like Adrian in a developing context.
Ghana’s growing electricity consumption—industrial (42.3%), residential (40.5%), and commercial (16.9%) sectors, per 2022 IEA data—highlights the need for efficiency in built spaces. Odamtten’s past achievements in energy analysis have incorporated renewable sources like solar into new construction or rehabilitation projects, reducing the burden on the national grid. More importantly, his models reflect optimized energy use across projects, lowering consumption pressures.
Technology supports this push for efficiency, even in challenging environments. Professionals like Odamtten utilize cross-disciplinary collaborative tools that lead to more integrated solutions addressing the technical, social, and economic aspects of energy provision. Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools are at the heart of an Integrated Design Process.
“We should see the Digital Twin rise to prominence in the upcoming years,” Adrian adds.
A Digital Twin is a virtual replica of a physical energy system that mirrors its real-world counterpart in real time. This proactive approach to system management, combined with a resilient and secure digital infrastructure, can lead to more efficient resource use and quicker response times in emergencies. However, Ghana still needs an intermediary between the analog and digital realms, and a quantum leap between the two should not be expected.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is also tied to efficient built environments, and Odamtten addresses this through modeling. IAQ is emerging as a critical issue, particularly in urban areas where energy consumption is rising. He estimates that metal oxide gas sensors, for example, help control levels of pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and particulate matter (PM2.5).
The ground is fertile for growth in the energy sector and the built environment. Adrian believes that as Ghana develops its energy infrastructure, there will be a need for professionals who can build, maintain, and optimize models—engineers focused on energy-efficient practices, ready to solve the complex challenges brought on by urbanization.
Adrian Thomas Odamtten is a highly skilled Mechanical Engineering professional with a BA in Economics from Lawrence University, USA and a BSc and MSc Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St Louis USA. His expertise is in the areas of operational efficiency, energy-efficient design and mechanical systems. He leverages parametric modeling and load analyses tools to optimize equipment selection and system design.