Zero-Energy Building
A zero-energy building (ZEB) or net zero-energy building is a general term applied to a building with a net energy consumption of zero over a typical year. This can be measured in different ways (relating to cost, energy, or carbon emissions) and, irrespective of the definition used – different views are taken on the relative importance of energy generation and energy conservation to achieve energy balance.
Although zero-energy buildings remain uncommon in developed countries, they are gaining importance and popularity. The zero-energy approach is an environmental and practical solution to a range of social and environmental issues, including reducing carbon emissions, reducing dependence on oil power, fuel imports, using fossil fuels in general, and providing a measure of energy security against future energy crises.
Near zero-energy building, ultra-low energy building and energy-plus building are other names associated with zero-energy building.
In the USA, ZEB research is currently being supported by the US Department of Energy Building America Program (www.buildingamerica.gov), including 5 industry-based consortia and researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
In addition to using renewable sources, zero-energy buildings are also designed to make use of energy gained from other sources including natural daylight and even body heat. They are normally optimized to use passive solar heat gain and thermal mass to even out temperature variations throughout the day, and in most climates are super-insulated. All the technologies needed to create zero-energy buildings are available off the shelf today.
TopAdvantages of ZEB
- Isolation of buildings' occupant(s) from energy price increases
- Increased comfort due to more uniform interior temperatures (this can be demonstrated with comparative isotherm maps)
- Reduced cost to improve energy efficiency during initial design and construction than it is to do so through a retrofit
- Higher resale value
- The value of a ZEB building relative to similar conventional building increases as energy costs increase Source: www.buildingamerica.gov