Design strategies for non-residential zero-energy buildings: lessons learned from Task40/Annex 52: towards net zero-energy solar buildings

Net zero-energy buildings (Net ZEBs) have been the object of various studies in recent years as various countries have set this performance as long-term goal of their energy policies. Designing successful Net ZEBs represents a challenge since the definitions are yet generic, the assessment method and monitoring approach are under development and the literature is relatively scarce about the best sets of solutions for different typologies and climates likely to deliver an actual and reliable performance in terms of energy balance (used consumed vs. generated) on a costeffective basis. The International collaborative research initiative between the Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) and the Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems (ECBCS) through Task 40/Annex 52 - Towards Net-Zero Energy Solar Buildings-, summarises most of the recent developments in this field. The authors of this article, who are participants in this task, are providing insights from on-going research work on some best practice leading projects which have been the object of an exploratory cross-case analysis in order to facilitate identification of the set of relevant design strategies. The close inspection of the strategies and indicators of the relative performance of the projects revealed interesting features about the combination of design challenges with techniques and technologies responsible for delivering the Zero Energy performance

Net Zero energy solar buildings: An overview and analysis on worldwide building projects

Abstract 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" 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

Load Matching and Grid Interaction of Net Zero Energy Buildings

“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”

Lighthouse (German Version)

Plusenergiehaus, Nullemissionsstadt oder im internationalen Sprachraum net zero energy building, equilibrium building, carbon neutral city – je nach Standpunkt und Motivation wird derzeit noch unterschiedlich bilanziert. Eine Klärung und Bedeutung zentraler Begriffe ist für die zu planenden Prozesse zur Lösung von Energiefragen und für deren Umsetzung wesentlich. Dieses Thema beschäftigt seit Oktober 2008 eine Expertengruppe der Internationalen Energieagentur. Ziel ist dabei die Analyse exemplarischer Gebäude nahe der Nullenergiebilanz. Die Ergebnisse sind in dieser Publikation dokumentiert: neben der Vorstellung ausgewählter Projekte werden nicht nur architektonisch gelungene Umsetzungsmöglichkeiten gezeigt – im Mittelpunkt steht die Darstellung der gewonnenen Erkenntnisse und Erfahrungsberichte der Planer und Nutzer

Siedlung BedZED

Plusenergiehaus, Nullemissionsstadt oder im internationalen Sprachraum net zero energy building, equilibrium building, carbon neutral city – je nach Standpunkt und Motivation wird derzeit noch unterschiedlich bilanziert. Eine Klärung und Bedeutung zentraler Begriffe ist für die zu planenden Prozesse zur Lösung von Energiefragen und für deren Umsetzung wesentlich. Dieses Thema beschäftigt seit Oktober 2008 eine Expertengruppe der Internationalen Energieagentur. Ziel ist dabei die Analyse exemplarischer Gebäude nahe der Nullenergiebilanz. Die Ergebnisse sind in dieser Publikation dokumentiert: neben der Vorstellung ausgewählter Projekte werden nicht nur architektonisch gelungene Umsetzungsmöglichkeiten gezeigt – im Mittelpunkt steht die Darstellung der gewonnenen Erkenntnisse und Erfahrungsberichte der Planer und Nutzer

Lighthouse

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 select projects, it is not just architectural showcase projects that are shown – the focus is on relaying knowledge and experience gained by planners and builders

BedZED Community

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 select projects, it is not just architectural showcase projects that are shown – the focus is on relaying knowledge and experience gained by planners and builders

Design issues for net zero-energy buildings

In response to growing global warming issues and the constant increase of energy prices, house-builders and housing manufacturers today are becoming more responsive to the delivery of net zero energy sustainable homes than ever. Within this context, the sustainability may embrace housing economy and adequacy beyond the legitimacy in which the quality barely coincides with individuals’ dynamic various needs, desires and expectations. Nevertheless, the industry’s business operation tends to follow routines and the close system mode of operation often hinders the enterprises from adopting unfamiliar innovations which may be inevitable in realising the delivery and operation of socially, economically and environmentally sustainable homes. In this special issue, the notion of ‘mass customisation’ is reviewed. This paradoxical concept has been recognised as a means to lessen production costs of end-user products while achieving the customisability through economies of scope rather than economies of scale. Housing is no exception. The idea dates back to the 1950s as the gravity became explicit in Walter Gropius’ book entitled ‘Scope of Total Architecture.’ The essence of mass customisation applied to housing was speculated as he emphasized the need for ‘standardising and mass-producing not entire houses, but only their component parts which can then be assembled into various types of houses.’ This edition encompasses a wide spectrum of hopes and fears around the design, production and marketing approaches to both delivery and operation of zero-energy/emission mass custom homes, or ZEMCH, and showcases some exemplars budding out in different climates around the globe. This issue is developed in collaboration with ZEMCH Network and IEA SHC/ECBCS Task 40/Annex 52 international experts with the aim to solidify today’s diverse expertise in the realm as elicited research paradigms for further exploration and delivery of the homes that meet the wants and needs of individuals and society