Zero Energy Building

By:Name: Raghav Gupta Branch: EEERoll Number: CUN110103039

Zero Energy Building:

A zero energy building can be defined as a building that can provide a normal indoor comfort and still use no energy.

Net Zero Energy Building

A net zero energy building is that whose electric power requirement over the year is supplied by the electric energy produced by itself over the year.

1. Design and construction: The most cost-effective step towards reduction in a building's energy consumption usually occurs during the design process.

• It Begins with the Design

• The Site

• The Basis of Design

• Size and Shape Matter

• Design to Use the Sun

• Design with a Continuous Air Barrier

• Windows and Doors

• Other Design Considerations

• It Begins with the Design

• The Site

• The Basis of Design

• Size and Shape Matter

• Design to Use the Sun

• Design with a Continuous Air Barrier

• Windows and Doors

• Other Design Considerations

It Begins with the Design

Zero Energy Home requires that a wide variety of small issues be effectively addressed in the design phase, including exploring the most cost effective options and ideas for reaching Net Zero – and the site is the best place to begin.

• It Begins with the Design

• The Site

• The Basis of Design

• Size and Shape Matter

• Design to Use the Sun

• Design with a Continuous Air Barrier

• Windows and Doors

• Other Design Considerations

The Site

Understanding the site, with its assets and limitations, is essential to creating a successful Zero Energy Home design.

• It Begins with the Design

• The Site

• The Basis of Design

• Size and Shape Matter

• Design to Use the Sun

• Design with a Continuous Air Barrier

• Windows and Doors

• Other Design Considerations

The Basis of Design

The B.O.D. identifies key project elements such as homeowners’ requirements, preferences and vision; building type, scope, and key design details; the goals, strategies, and specifications for reaching Zero Net Energy; and the sustainable and renewable resources to be included.

• It Begins with the Design

• The Site

• The Basis of Design

• Size and Shape Matter

• Design to Use the Sun

• Design with a Continuous Air Barrier

• Windows and Doors

• Other Design Considerations

Size and Shape Matter

Limiting the size of the home will have a direct impact on overall energy required on site, and should help reduce costs

The excellent book, The Not So Big House, describes how a small home can be designed to look large, spacious and comfortable.

• It Begins with the Design

• The Site

• The Basis of Design

• Size and Shape Matter

• Design to Use the Sun

• Design with a Continuous Air Barrier

• Windows and Doors

• Other Design Considerations

Design to Use the Sun

Zero Energy Homes should be designed to use the sun’s energy as much as possible, for such things as: generating electricity, heating hot water, and utilizing passive solar space heating.

• It Begins with the Design

• The Site

• The Basis of Design

• Size and Shape Matter

• Design to Use the Sun

• Design with a Continuous Air Barrier

• Windows and Doors

• Other Design Considerations

Design with a Continuous Air Barrier

The house should be designed with a continuous air barrier.  All the cracks, holes, and exterior envelope penetrations of the home’s six-sided box must be systematically sealed.

• It Begins with the Design

• The Site

• The Basis of Design

• Size and Shape Matter

• Design to Use the Sun

• Design with a Continuous Air Barrier

• Windows and Doors

• Other Design Considerations

Windows and Doors

The orientation of doors and windows must take climate, wind, sun and shade into account. 

• It Begins with the Design

• The Site

• The Basis of Design

• Size and Shape Matter

• Design to Use the Sun

• Design with a Continuous Air Barrier

• Windows and Doors

• Other Design Considerations

Other Design Considerations

Energy efficient ventilation systems (ERVs and HRVs) may also help optimize air flow in the home.

Conclusion

• While affordable Zero Energy Homes should be designed using as many standard building techniques as possible, some aspects of building Zero Energy Homes, such as double offset walls, may be new to builders and subcontractors. So all such building strategies should be clearly outlined and specified on the design and in accompanying notes. Clearly outlining all the details required to make a Zero Energy Home makes it possible for any experienced builder and subcontractor to successfully build an affordable Zero Net Energy home.

Energy Harvesting

Non-Renewable Sources of Energy

Renewable Sources of Energy

A big NO

Solar Wind Thermal

Solar Energy

• Solar panels are placed on the rooftop or windows of the building, or anywhere where maximum solar energy is received throughout the year.

• The energy generated can be used for cooking, heating, generating electricity etc.

Wind Energy

• In some extreme areas where wind energy is abundant and high, small windmills can also be used to generate electricity for running small equipment.

Thermal Energy

• It is used to maintain the ambient temperature of the building.

• It can also be used for heating, cooling etc.

Net Zero Energy Buildings connected to GridBuildings connected to power grid can be termed as “Net Zero” if their energy consumption is equal to their energy production over a year.

Advantages of connecting to grid:

• Surplus energy if present, is not wasted.• If generated energy is less than demand, the demand is

fulfilled by the power grid.

Influential zero- and low-energy buildings

DPR “net zero energy” building.Image Credit: Building Dashboard

In the Arizona desert lies the world’s largest “net-zero energy” building. It is the Phoenix Regional Office of DPR Construction. It was given this certification by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI).Located on the corner of 44th and Van Buren, the energy efficiency transformation took 10 months to complete.

Bird Island: Zero Energy Home in Kuala Lumpur

Zero Energy Space somewhere in South India

Development Efforts:

• The Google photovoltaic campus• The Microsoft 480-kilowatt photovoltaic campus• Zero Energy Home model for India presented by 3C company at Acres

2011.

Advantages and Disadvantages of ZEBs• Advantages:1. isolation for building owners from future energy price increases2. increased comfort due to more-uniform interior temperatures3. reduced requirement for energy austerity4. reduced total cost of ownership due to improved energy efficiency5. reduced total net monthly cost of living6. improved reliability – photovoltaic systems have 25-year warranties –

seldom fail during weather problems – the 1982 photovoltaic systems on the Walt Disney World EPCOT Energy Pavilion are still working fine today, after going through 3 hurricanes

• Disadvantages:1. initial costs can be higher – effort required to understand, apply,

and qualify for ZEB subsidies2. very few designers or builders have the necessary skills or

experience to build ZEBs3. new photovoltaic solar cells equipment technology price has been

falling at roughly 17% per year – It will lessen the value of capital invested in a solar electric generating system – Current subsidies will be phased out as photovoltaic mass production lowers future price

4. while the individual house may use an average of net zero energy over a year, it may demand energy at the time when peak demand for the grid occurs. In such a case, the capacity of the grid must still provide electricity to all loads. Therefore, a ZEB may not reduce the required power plant capacity.

Conclusion

With the advancement in renewable technology, Net Zero Energy Buildings are the future. Many governments have framed Zero Energy building laws. Few governments are also providing subsidies to individuals and organizations for creating Zero Energy Buildings. But the goal of zero energy buildings would not be fulfilled till the time all the people don’t understand their responsibility and contribute towards reducing energy consumption.

Thank You

Any Questions?