Abstract
A Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) considerably reduces the building energy load through high efficiency equipment and passive elements such as building orientation, high insulation, natural daylighting, and ventilation in order to achieve zero energy balance with on-site energy production from renewable energy systems applied to the building. For a Zero Energy Building (ZEB), the heating energy demand can be significantly reduced with high insulation and air tightness, while the cooling energy demand can be curtailed by applying shading device, cross ventilation, etc. As such, the electrical energy demand for a ZEB is relatively higher than its heat energy demand. Therefore, the application of a Renewable Energy System (RES) to produce electricity is necessary for a ZEB. In particular, Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems that generate electricity can play an important role for achieving zero energy balance in buildings; BIPVs are multi-functional and there are many ways to apply them into buildings. This study comprehensively analyzes photovoltaic (PV) applications in ZEB cases through the International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC)/Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme (EBC) Task 40/Annex 52 activities, which include PV installation methods, PV cell type, and electricity generation. The most widely applied RES is the PV system, corresponding to 29 out of a total of 30 cases. Among the roof type PV systems, 71% were non-integrated. In addition, 14 of the 27 cases in which PV systems were applied, satisfied over 100% of the electricity energy demand from the PV system and were found to generate surplus electrical power.
Highlights
The concept of a Zero Energy Building (ZEB) has garnered significant attention as a solution for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and responding to global warming.In a report written in 2006 by Torcellini et al, the authors used the following general definition for a ZEB given by The U.S Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Program: “A net zero energy building (NZEB) is a residential or commercial building with greatly reduced energy needs through efficiency gains such that the balance of energy needs can be supplied with renewable technologies” [1]
The Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) set the goals of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption by 2020, 20% expansion of renewable energy propagation by 2020, and enforcing application of nearly Zero Energy Building for all new buildings by 2021. nZEB is defined in the EPBD as “The nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby” [3]
This study investigated the amount of power generation of PV systems installed in NZEB
Summary
The concept of a Zero Energy Building (ZEB) has garnered significant attention as a solution for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and responding to global warming. 18 countries participated in the IEA SHC/EBC Task 40/Annex 52 from October 2008 to September 2013 on the subject of “Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings” [5], and numerous studies were conducted to establish international standardization of the NZEB definition [6,7,8,9]. Research on the NZEB design method and tools, innovative solutions, and energy monitoring methods has been conducted, as well as investigation of the NZEB status of France [26,27] Through these studies, it was found that the Enerpos building consumed 10 times less energy than the standard building [28]. 30 cases of the IEA SHC/EBC Task 40/Annex 52 were categorized by country, building use, climate, and renewable energy application. This was determined to be due to malfunctioning of the applied renewable energy system [36]
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