Lisa Morey – Compressed Earth Blocks

Lisa Morey of Colorado Earth LLC is using sustainably produced thermal mass masonry blocks (EcoBlox) to diversify the use of cement-based products with a low embodied-carbon, fireproof material.

Lisa Morey

Colorado Earth LLC

Morey owns and operates Colorado Earth LLC, which expands the use of locally produced building materials by creating micro-manufacturing sites for compressed earth blocks, a low-carbon masonry unit that minimizes the world's need for cement.

During West Gate, Morey will test the integration of phase-change materials to enhance the operational performance of the blocks, especially in colder climates.

With population growth projections calling for extensive housing and construction needs over the next several decades, it's critical to reduce operational energy and the embodied carbon emissions from making materials and assembling them in buildings. This will require moving away from current materials such as Portland cement, which emits a ton or more of carbon for each ton produced, accounting for about 8% of all anthropogenic global emissions.

Colorado Earth's nature-based solution for the building envelope integrates an ancient building material with recently used phase-change materials (PCMs). The work is based on the need to develop an energy-efficient building approach that requires no highly insulated assemblies.

By incorporating locally manufactured EcoBlox and PCMs into buildings, the thermal mass of the blocks and PCM will absorb and release thermal energy more efficiently, helping to regulate temperature, reduce energy consumption, and shift the time when the peak load occurs. This results in less heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment, all with a low-embodied carbon footprint.

Unlike traditional insulation, EcoBlox and PCMs do not resist heat flow and control temperature for a time. The amount of time depends on the delta between the spaces, the conductivity of the heat-flow path, and the amount of PCM and thermal mass used. Applying these materials can reduce the need for high-embodied carbon insulation, concrete, and timber frame wall assemblies, which ensures resistance to fire and other extreme weather events.

Status

Commercially ready

Industry

Buildings, energy efficiency, and life cycle assessment

Potential Markets

• Policymakers to incentivize operational and embodied energy efficiency
• Insurance carriers interested in fire-resistant structures
• Building professionals seeking solutions to reduce carbon emissions

Looking For

• Industry mentors
• Funding
• Strategic partnerships
• Customer identification
• Subject matter experts