Abstract
The potential of carbon dioxide emissions mitigation in the building sector can be achieved through energy policies, progressive goals, and support systems to attain sustainable constructions that guarantee the reduction of emissions. Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) is a concept that allows moving forward to neutralize buildings’ carbon emissions. This has been demonstrated by more industrial countries which have set goals and challenges to progressively approach an energy neutrality balance for buildings. Therefore, the target of this research is to define a framework for a new standard to reach NZEB in Chile. Firstly, an exhaustive review of the energy policies, NZEB definitions, and components of an NZEB system took place. Secondly, focus group discussions with local and international professionals from the building sector were organized to define a vision, opportunities, and potential measures with a focus on policies, to implement and develop local technologies for NZEB buildings in Chile. The study identifies the need to advance public policies to achieve an integrated policy for the implementation of energy neutral concept buildings. Finally, the paper presents a NZEB standard framework, including key performance indicators and suggested performance metrics thresholds.
Highlights
In recent years, Europe has begun implementing the concept of Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in policies for new and existing buildings in the private and public sectors, and for residential and non-residential buildings [1,2]
(5) We developed and validated a calculation method for the energy balance that should be included in the new NZEB standard in Chile (see Equations (1) and (2))
The construction sector and real estate market need to adapt rapidly to digest the advanced concept of NZEB and operate in an optimal way that can reduce buildings’ environmental impact and empower users
Summary
Europe has begun implementing the concept of NZEB in policies for new and existing buildings in the private and public sectors, and for residential and non-residential buildings [1,2]. Among the more developed countries in Europe, has set an energy performance target in its building codes of 70 kWh/m2/year for heating, domestic hot water (DHW), lighting, cooling, and auxiliary systems for non-residential buildings. This standard varies by climatic zone and altitude from 70 kWh/m2/year to 110 kWh/m2/year. In the region of Brussels in Belgium and since 2015 and onwards, all new public and residential buildings must have a primary energy demand performance close to a PassivHaus standard [4], considering a performance of 45 kWh/m2/year for auxiliary energy and 15 kwh/m2/year for heating and cooling. It is felt that the benefits of setting these goals will only be seen between 2020 and 2050 [5]
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