Adaptive Energy Optimization Toward Net-Zero Energy Building Clusters

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Odonkor ◽  
Kemper Lewis ◽  
Jin Wen ◽  
Teresa Wu

Traditionally viewed as mere energy consumers, buildings have adapted, capitalizing on smart grid technologies and distributed energy resources to efficiently use and trade energy, as evident in net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs). In this paper, we examine the opportunities presented by applying net-zero to building communities (clusters). This paper makes two main contributions: one, it presents a framework for generating Pareto optimal operational strategies for building clusters; two, it examines the energy tradeoffs resulting from adaptive decisions in response to dynamic operation conditions. Using a building cluster simulator, the proposed approach is shown to adaptively and significantly reduce total energy cost.

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karsten Voss ◽  
Eike Musall ◽  
Markus Lichtmeß

“Net Zero-Energy Building” has become a popular catchphrase to describe the synergy between energy-efficient building and renewable energy utilisation to achieve a balanced energy budget over an annual cycle. Taking into account the energy exchange with a grid overcomes the limitations of energy-autonomous buildings with the need for seasonal energy storage on-site. Although the expression, “Net Zero-Energy Building,” appears in many energy policy documents, a harmonised definition or a standardised balancing method is still lacking. This paper reports on the background and the various effects influencing the energy balance approach. After discussing the national energy code framework in Germany, a harmonised terminology and balancing procedure is proposed. The procedure takes not only the energy balance but also energy efficiency and load matching into account.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saba Arif ◽  
Juntakan Taweekun ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad Ali ◽  
Thanansak Theppaya

The current study is an economic evaluation and feasibility study of hybrid microgrid Net Zero Energy Buildings in Pakistan. A Net Zero Energy approach is proposed for a two-story hospital building situated in Taxila, Pakistan. Consequently, to design a hybrid Net Zero Energy Building, the solar radiation potential of the subject location and electricity usage of the hospital are estimated. The proposed hybrid microgrid Net Zero Energy Building comprises photovoltaic modules and converters. However, the thermal load is computed as a grid-connected hybrid system. Economic evaluation is performed by using economic indicators of the net present cost and the payback period. Also, initial and operational costs are determined, to determine the profitability of the project. Results show that the analysis is a cost-effective approach and has a payback period of 2.53y. Additionally, the per-unit cost of electricity is reduced to 0.12 USD/kWh. Moreover, the energy produced by a hybrid system is 10.24% more economical than that of the pre-working grid system. Results explain the reduction in the cost of energy and profit margin in electricity generation and the increase in electricity production and feasibility of hybrid Net Zero Energy Buildings in Pakistan. Research will help to develop an approach toward an IEA task 47 in Pakistan with the possible development of simulation-based installations of Net Zero Energy Buildings in the health sector in Pakistan.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Mahdavi Adeli ◽  
Said Farahat ◽  
Faramarz Sarhaddi

Residential and commercial buildings consume approximately 60% of the world’s electricity. It is almost impossible to provide a general definition of thermal comfort, because the feeling of thermal comfort is affected by varying preferences and specific traits of the population living in different climate zones. Considering that no studies have been conducted on thermal satisfaction of net-zero energy buildings prior to this date, one of the objectives of the present study is to draw a comparison between the thermal parameters for evaluation of thermal comfort of a net-zero energy building occupants. In so doing, the given building for this study is first optimized for the target parameters of thermal comfort and energy consumption, and, hence, a net-zero energy building is formed. Subsequent to obtaining the acceptable thermal comfort range, the computational analyses required to determine the temperature for thermal comfort are carried out using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. The findings of this study demonstrate that to reach net-zero energy buildings, solar energy alone is not able to supply the energy consumption of buildings and other types of energy should also be used. Furthermore, it is observed that optimum thermal comfort is achieved in moderate seasons.


Author(s):  
Maher Shehadi

Global warming and climate change are rising issues during the last couple of decades. With residential and commercial buildings being the largest energy consumers, sources are being depleted at a much faster pace in the recent decades. Recent statistics shows that 14% of humans are active participant to protect the environment with an additional 48% sympathetic but not active. In this chapter, net-zero energy buildings design tools and applications are presented that can help designers in the commercial and residential sectors design their buildings to be net-zero energy buildings. Case studies with benefits and challenges will be presented to illustrate the different designs to achieve a net-zero energy building (NZEB).


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Castaing-Lasvignottes ◽  
Mathieu David ◽  
Sidiki Simpore ◽  
Olivier Marc ◽  
François Garde

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