Energy and Emission Implications of Electric Vehicles Integration with Nearly and Net Zero Energy Buildings

Hassam Ur Rehman,Jan Diriken,Stijn Verbeke,Ala Hasan,Francesco Reda

doi:10.3390/en14216990

Abstract

Buildings and the mobility sectors are the two sectors that currently utilize large amount of fossil-based energy. The aim of the paper is to, critically analyse the integration of electric vehicles (EV) energy load with the building’s energy load. The qualitative and quantitative methods are used to analyse the nearly/net zero energy buildings and the mobility plans of the Europe along with the challenges of the plans. It is proposed to either include or exclude the EV load within the building’s energy load and follow the emissions calculation path, rather than energy calculation path for buildings to identify the benefits. Two real case studies in a central European climate are used to analysis the energy performance of the building with and without EV load integration and the emissions produced due to their interaction. It is shown that by replacing fossil-fuel cars with EVs within the building boundary, overall emissions can be reduced by 11–35% depending on the case study. However, the energy demand increased by 27–95% when the EV load was added with the building load. Hence, the goal to reach the nearly/net zero energy building target becomes more challenging. Therefore, the emission path can present the benefits of EV and building load integration.

Highlights

The European Union (EU) plans to limit and reduce emissions in order to curb the impact on the climate and reduce climate change
The aim of the present study is to provide a comparison to the existing NZEB and Net
In this case study, measured data from a single-family house, is analysed following the procedure (Flemish NZEB definition) described above

Summary

Introduction

The European Union (EU) plans to limit and reduce emissions in order to curb the impact on the climate and reduce climate change. According to the EU’s 2030 climate and energy framework, the target is to reduce emissions by 55% compared to 1990 levels, increase energy efficiency by 32.5% and increase the share of renewables by 32% [1]. To achieve these targets, buildings have to be energy efficient and use a signification amount of locally generated renewable energy. Cities and regions, buildings are nowadays designed to be nearly zero energy or net zero energy in order to achieve emission reduction targets and to mitigate climate change [1]. The European EPBD regulation is pushing to improve building efficiency, e.g., by imposing performance measures on new buildings and standardised information provision for existing buildings and the renovation of old buildings (e.g., through information provisions, such as energy performance certificates)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion