Search results
A Zero-Energy Building (ZEB), also known as a Net Zero-Energy (NZE) building, is a building with net zero energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site or in other definitions by renewable energy sources offsite, using technology such ...
- Introduction
- Description
- Application
- Relevant Codes and Standards
- Additional Resources
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Amid growing concerns about rising energy prices, energy independence, and the impact of climate change, statisticsshow buildings to be the primary energy consumer in the U.S. This fact underscores the importance of targeting building energy use as a key to decreasing the nation's energy consumption. The building sector can significantly reduce ene...
Definitions
As the "zero energy" and "net zero energy" concepts are relatively new, there are not yet definitive, widely accepted zero-energy metrics. The Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have spearheaded much of the work on net zero energy buildings to date. NREL presents several definitions for "net zero energy", and they encourage building designers, owners, and operators to select the metric that best fits their project. The NREL publication Zero Energy B...
Grid Connection and Net Zero
Most Net Zero Energy Buildings are still connected to the electric grid, allowing for the electricity produced from traditional energy sources (natural gas, electric, etc.) to be used when renewable energy generation cannot meet the building's energy load. When, conversely, on-site energy generation exceeds the building energy requirements, the surplus energy should be exported back to the utility grid, where allowed by law. The excess energy production offsets later periods of excess demand,...
Energy Efficiency
Regardless of the definition or metric used for a Net Zero Energy Building, minimizing the energy use through efficient building design should be a fundamental design criterion and the highest priority of all NZEB projects. Energy efficiency is generally the most cost-effective strategy with the highest return on investment, and maximizing efficiency opportunities before developing renewable energy plans will minimize the cost of the renewable energy projects needed. Using advanced energy ana...
Net Zero Energy Building principles can be applied to most types of projects, including residential, industrial, and commercial buildings in both new construction and existing buildings. A growing number of projects have been designed and constructed across the various market sectors and climate zones. Several links to DOE's Commercial project reso...
ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential BuildingsANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 100, Energy Efficiency in Existing BuildingsANSI/ASHRAE Standard 105, Standard Methods of Determining, Expressing, and Comparing Building Energy Performance and Greenhouse Gas EmissionsANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential BuildingsOrganizations/Associations
1. American Wind Energy Association
Publications
1. "Getting to net zero" by Drury Crawley, Shanti Pless, Paul Torcellini. ASHRAE Journal 51(9): 18–25. ASHRAE, September 2009. 2. Integration at Its Finest: Success in High-Performance Building Design and Project Delivery in the Federal Sector by Renée Cheng, AIA, Professor, School of Architecture, University of Minnesota. Sponsored by the Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings, U.S. General Services Administration, 2014. 3. Toward A Zero Energy Home: A complete guide to energy se...
Others
1. Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) 2. Department of Energy 2.1. Better Buildings Alliance 2.2. EERE Building Energy Codes Program 2.3. EERE Building Energy Data Book 2.4. EERE Building Technologies Office 2.5. EERE Commercial Building Design and Decision Support Guides 2.6. EERE Commercial Buildings Integration 2.7. EERE Commercial Buildings Partnerships 2.8. EERE High Performance Buildings Database 2.9. EERE High-Performance Green Building Partnership Consortia 2.10...
Learn about the concept, definitions, and strategies of net zero energy buildings, which produce as much energy as they use over a year. Find resources on energy efficiency, renewable energy, codes, and standards for net zero buildings.
What are NZEBs? Net or nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB) are highly efficient buildings with extremely low energy demand, which is met by renewable energy sources. Such buildings produce as much energy as they consume, accounted for annually.
Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Rating is applicable to Commercial, Industrial as well as Residential building projects those are able to off-set 100% annual grid energy use by renewable energy sources (either on-site and or off-site).
IGBC Net Zero Energy Buildings Rating System. Overview and Process. Certification Process. Methodology for calculating total building energy consumption. Energy Performance. Thermal comfort, Indoor Temperature and RH. Excellence in Energy Performance . Energy Eficient Building Envelope. Air Conditioning System . Lighting . Appliances .
Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan. Access a host of case studies of high performance, super-efficient, and net zero energy buildings from India, South Asia, and other regions. Every month we highlight a high performance building that stands out for its innovative features. join the nZEB alliance. nZEB Alliance.
Dec 9, 2021 · According to WGBC, the definition of a net zero carbon building is one that is “highly energy efficient and powered by renewable energy sources on site and/or off site, with any offsetting carbon...
