Novel Integrated Design Strategies for Net-Zero-Energy Solar Buildings (Nzesbs) in Nanjing, China

Abstract

The connotations and denotations of the term net-zero-energy solar buildings (NZESBs) have been in constant flux because of continuous developments in solar heating technology, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, building energy-storage technology, regional energy-storage technology, and energy-management systems. This paper focuses on innovative strategies for implementing NZESBs in Nanjing, China. These strategies include integrated architectural design, including passive solar design (respecting climatic characteristics and conducting integrated planning based on the environment, building orientation, distance between buildings, building shape, ratio of window area to wall area, and building envelope) and active solar design (integration of the solar-energy-collecting end of the system – collectors and PV panels – with the building surface – roof, wall surfaces, balconies, and sun-shading devices – and the integration of solar-energy transfer and storage equipment with the building). Some Nanjing-specific recommendations and findings on NZESBs are proposed. The results illustrate that NZESBs can be realized in Nanjing if solar energy technologies are appropriately integrated with the characteristics of Nanjing's geography, climate and buildings.

Integrated design experiences for energy-efficient housing in Chile

“…These experiences normally include several meetings and the use of evaluations tools, along with changes in design attributes and the incorporation of special building products and systems. Recently, similar initiatives have demonstrated that it is possible to achieve near-zero building design (Attia et al , 2015; Peng et al , 2015; Azarbayjani et al , 2014) with the use of solar collection technologies and passive strategies. Additionally, experiences in professional education with multidisciplinary teams (Vassigh and Spiegelhalter, 2014) and collaborative exhibits (Todd and Lindsey, 2016), as well as using advanced computational analysis (O’Brien et al , 2013) and diverse building systems (Baudains et al , 2014) have shown relevant achievements in the integrated design process.…”

Energy Retrofitting Assessment of Public Building Envelopes in China’s Hot Summer and Cold Winter Climate Region

“…Insulation is recognized as one of the most vital parameters of energy conservation in buildings. In recognition of this importance, all energy regulations for buildings judge efficiency using the Heat Transfer Coefficient (U-value) of a building envelope, including the external walls, roof, and windows [17]. The main objective of the U-value is to measure heat transfer through the envelope, where a smaller U-value indicates better insulation [18].…”