Abstract
Due to its energy and environmental impact, the building sector has become a challenging field in order to fulfil the need for energy renovation and obtain low-consumption buildings. The main issue, for those who approach the feasible design of a Zero Energy Building (ZEB), is to assess, in the most realistic way possible, the thermal and energy needs and the energy production of the building, properly considering all the possible variables. Through the analysis of a newly built residential building case study, this work aims at showing the complexity of the ZEB design, analysing the energy performance as the design choices vary. After characterizing envelope and systems components, potential variations in the model are highlighted by applying a set of updated climatic data, varying occupancy, shading systems and natural ventilation functioning, often neglected. It leads to a wide and differentiated range of results, consequently influenced by the design phase. The work aims at providing, in the definition of the energy performance of the building, an evaluation of the variations obtained from the variables analysed that in the modelling phase are normally considered as a boundary but which instead play a key role for achieving the ZEB objective.
Highlights
The reduction of resource consumption, often promoted via Institutional suggestions and National goals, is permeating our daily activities [1].in this sense, huge efforts are ongoing for the building sector, which in 2019 was responsible of about 128 EJ of final energy use consumption [2] and which is clearly experiencing a shift towards “zero energy buildings” (ZEBs) by promoting a pathway passing through “nearly zero energy buildings”.The definition of the latter kind of buildings is provided by the EPBD itself [3] as “a building that has a very high energy performance, as determined in accordance with Annex I
The work aims, at providing elements to evaluate the relevance, in the definition of the energy performance of the building, of some of the variables that in the modelling phase are normally considered as a boundary, but which instead play a role in advanced energy design, providing an evaluation of the variations obtained from the several scenarios analysed, necessary in the design phase for achieving the Zero Energy Building (ZEB) objective
In the design of a zero-energy residential building, the first difficulty to be faced is represented by the determination, in the most realistic way, of the thermal and energy needs and the energy production of the building itself, properly considering all the possible variables contributing to its determination
Summary
The reduction of resource consumption, often promoted via Institutional suggestions and National goals, is permeating our daily activities [1].in this sense, huge efforts are ongoing for the building sector, which in 2019 was responsible of about 128 EJ of final energy use consumption [2] and which is clearly experiencing a shift towards “zero energy buildings” (ZEBs) by promoting a pathway passing through “nearly zero energy buildings” (nZEB) (for example by imposing that newly built building must be nZEB).The definition of the latter kind of buildings is provided by the EPBD itself [3] as “a building that has a very high energy performance, as determined in accordance with Annex I. The reduction of resource consumption, often promoted via Institutional suggestions and National goals, is permeating our daily activities [1] In this sense, huge efforts are ongoing for the building sector, which in 2019 was responsible of about 128 EJ of final energy use consumption [2] and which is clearly experiencing a shift towards “zero energy buildings” (ZEBs) by promoting a pathway passing through “nearly zero energy buildings” (nZEB) (for example by imposing that newly built building must be nZEB). In Europe, each Member State had to adopt the definition by adapting the Directive to its Regional laws This complex framework did not help to clarify some turn points of ZEBs design, which are becoming clear by experience, a that are ever included in both grey and white literature. Abundance of definitions [6,7,8] is coupled with success studies [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
