Zero Energy Building: A Review of Definitions and Calculation Methodologies

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

The today energy efficient buildings are mainly related only to the available standards when their performances are described. This approach is correct just in terms of formal qualification to meet the requirements of the statutory rules and give people confidence. Beyond these facts, todays energy efficient buildings have to be known not only in the context of the existing technology, but also in the evolution of the equipment and the design concept used in synchronization with the contemporaneity of the science. In this paper, a historical laborious presentation of the techniques and concepts evolution that lead to energy efficient buildings as we know them today, is presented. An overview of the modern approach for the design of the main elements of such type of buildings is also presented. The paper realizes a review of the current state of the energy efficient buildings, in terms of definitions and characteristics.

The historical evolution of the energy efficient buildings

Solar Versus Green: The Analysis of a Norwegian Row House

Advancements in residential net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) could significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. NZEB design considerations broadly categorize into energy infrastructure connections, renewable energy sources, and energy-efficiency measures. There is a lack of systematic literature review focused on recent progress in residential NZEBs. Therefore, this work provides an overview of each category including recent developments (last ≈ 10 years), aiming to provide references and support of wider and more successful implementation of residential NZEBs throughout the globe. The discussed energy infrastructure connections include electrical grids, district heating/cooling networks, and energy storage options including vehicle-to-home and hydrogen storage. Renewable energy sources considered here are solar photovoltaic and solar thermal, wind, and biomass including micro combined heat and power (CHP) systems. The final category detailed is energy-efficiency measures, which include improved building envelope designs, efficient HVAC systems, efficient domestic hot water systems, and phase change material integration. Within these categories there are many technology options, which makes selecting the ‘best’ configuration more difficult but allows design flexibility to adapt to local climates and other considerations (i.e. building codes, energy resources, costs). This paper provides references and highlights technology options to achieve residential NZEBs throughout the world.

Residential net-zero energy buildings: Review and perspective

The self-sufficient solar house in Freiburg.

A self-sufficient solar house in Freiburg, Germany, that requires no external energy supply is presented. Its entire energy demand for heating, domestic hot water, electricity and cooking is suppli...

W. Stahl

Papers

The self-sufficient solar house in Freiburg.

A Self-Sufficient Solar House, Freiburg, Germany