Zero Energy Building: A Review of Definitions and Calculation Methodologies

Review of passive PCM latent heat thermal energy storage systems towards buildings’ energy efficiency

Green building is one of measures been put forward to mitigate significant impacts of the building stock on the environment, society and economy. However, there is lack of a systematic review of this large number of studies that is critical for the future endeavor. The last decades have witnessed rapid growing number of studies on green building. This paper reports a critical review of the existing body of knowledge of researches related to green building. The common research themes and methodology were identified. These common themes are the definition and scope of green building; quantification of benefits of green buildings compared to conventional buildings; and various approaches to achieve green buildings. It is found that the existing studies played predominately focus on the environmental aspect of green building. Other dimensions of sustainability of green building, especially the social sustainability is largely overlooked. Future research opportunities were identified such as effects of climatic conditions on the effectiveness of green building assessment tools, validation of real performance of green buildings, unique demands of specific population, and future proofing.

Green building research–current status and future agenda: A review

Building energy-consumption status worldwide and the state-of-the-art technologies for zero-energy buildings during the past decade

Net zero energy buildings: A consistent definition framework

“Net Zero-Energy Building” has become a popular catchphrase to describe the synergy between energy-efficient building and renewable energy utilisation to achieve a balanced energy budget over an annual cycle. Taking into account the energy exchange with a grid overcomes the limitations of energy-autonomous buildings with the need for seasonal energy storage on-site. Although the expression, “Net Zero-Energy Building,” appears in many energy policy documents, a harmonised definition or a standardised balancing method is still lacking. This paper reports on the background and the various effects influencing the energy balance approach. After discussing the national energy code framework in Germany, a harmonised terminology and balancing procedure is proposed. The procedure takes not only the energy balance but also energy efficiency and load matching into account.

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From Low-Energy to Net Zero-Energy Buildings: Status and Perspectives

Net Zero Energy Building” has become a prominent wording to describe the synergy of energy efficient building and renewable energy utilization to reach a balanced energy budget over a yearly cycle. Taking into account the energy exchange with a grid infrastructure overcomes the limitations of seasonal energy storage on-site. Even though the wording “Net Zero Energy Building” focuses on the annual energy balance, large differences may occur between solution sets in the amount of grid interaction needed to reach the goal. The paper reports on the analysis of example buildings concerning the load matching and grid interaction. Indices to describe both issues are proposed and foreseen as part of a harmonized definition framework. The work is part of subtask A of the IEA SHCP Task40/ECBCS Annex 52: “Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings”.

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Load Matching and Grid Interaction of Net Zero Energy Buildings

"Net zero energy buildings, equilibrium buildings or carbon neutral cities - depending on location and the reasons for making the calculation, the numbers are run differently. The variety of terms in use indicates that a scientific method is still lacking - which is a problem not just in regard to international communication, but also with respect to planning processes as a response to energy challenges. The clarification and meaning of the most important terms in use is extremely important for their implementation. Since October 2008, a panel of experts from an international energy agency has concerned itself with these topics as part of a project entitled "Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings". The objective is to analyse exemplary buildings that are near a zero-energy balance in order to develop methods and tools for the planning, design and operation of such buildings. The results are documented in this publication: In addition to the presentation of selected projects, it is not just architectural showcase projects that are shown - the focus is on relaying knowledge and experience gained by planners and builders. Even if many questions remain unanswered: Project examples that have already been implemented prove on a practical basis that the objective of a zero energy balance is already possible today."

Net Zero Energy Buildings: International Projects of Carbon Neutrality in Buildings

This paper summarises the state of two research phases within the scope of the IEA Task 40 / Annex 52 "Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings" [1]. The first objective is a cross section analysis of a comprehensive collection of more than 280 international zero energy buildings. The aim is to show trends, motives of actors, as well as their method to reach the zero energy balance. Secondly, an indepth study shows a rough analysis and characteristics of 50 exemplary Nets ZEBs from different countries and climate regions, as well as their combinations of measures concerning energy efficiency and renewable energy supply. It is shown that diverse actors with miscellaneous motives have lead to a lot of different building variations. Typical strategies can be assigned to the typology groups "small residential building", "apartment building" and "non residential building". Net ZEBs are much more energy efficient than average buildings which were built according to national construction and energy regulations. None of the leading Net ZEB examples exist without generation of PV electricity. Trends give an outlook of current and possible future combinations of technologies and passive measures for the realization of (future) net zero energy buildings. 1. The Occasion

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Eike Musall

Papers

Zero Energy Building: A Review of Definitions and Calculation Methodologies

From Low-Energy to Net Zero-Energy Buildings: Status and Perspectives

Load Matching and Grid Interaction of Net Zero Energy Buildings

Net Zero Energy Buildings: International Projects of Carbon Neutrality in Buildings

Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings: An Overview and Analysis on Worldwide Building Projects