Net Zero Energy Buildings - Calculation Methodologies Versus National Building Codes

Abstract

The international cooperation project IEA SHC Task 40 / ECBCS Annex 52 "Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings", attempts to develop a common understanding and to set up the basis for an international definition framework of Net Zero Energy Buildings (Net ZEBs). The understanding of such buildings and how the Net ZEB status should be calculated differs in most countries. This paper presents an overview of Net ZEBs energy calculation methodologies proposed by organisations representing eight different countries:

Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings of the Lombardy Region (Italy), a Case Study of High-Energy Performance Buildings

“…The International Energy Agency has created a taskforce called "Task 40 e Annex 52, Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings" [8], with the objectives of developing international definitions of near ZEBs, studying current near ZEBs and supporting the transformation of the near ZEB concept from an idea into practical reality. Based upon existing studies with a comparison between methods currently used in various European countries, the criteria most widely shared among those countries have been identified by Marzal et al [9,10].…”

Optimal power dispatch of a grid tied-battery-photovoltaic system supplying heat pump water heaters

“…The energy consumed in buildings [16], [17] accounts for 40% of global energy production. Therefore, most countries are encouraging and implementing regulatory measures at national level [18] to achieve NZEBs. Most researchers [19], [20], [21] have provided various methodologies and approaches for calculation of NZEBs.…”

“…These formulations and methodologies, however, lead to different interpretation of energy savings in the building. Marszal [18] pointed out that a practical integration of DRE with the grid to achieve the NZEBs is still a big challenge.…”

“…The optimal energy scheduling for a practical application in NZEBs still seems infeasible owing to constraints on technology, integration and operations, as mentioned in [18]. Most of the work in finding solutions for NZEBs at building design stage, carbon emissions and energy balance was done by [31] and [32].…”

Between Research and Practice: Experts on Implementing Sustainable Construction

“…However, the complexity involved in methods of calculation and evaluation has encouraged a primary focus on energy and efficient resource use within much of current operational discourse [4]. Also, the process of attaining projected estimated energy-savings potentials has not always been adequately recognized as non-linear and highly influenced by diverse actors, and therefore often "ambitious targets fail to materialize into comprehensive strategies, effective instruments and transparent results" [5].…”