Achieving the Net Zero Energy Target in Northern Italy: Lessons Learned from an Existing Passivhaus with Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger

2013 ◽  
Vol 689 ◽  
pp. 184-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Carlucci ◽  
Paolo Zangheri ◽  
Lorenzo Pagliano
Keyword(s):  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Po Valley ◽  
Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero

The recast of the European Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings introduces the concept of nearly Zero Energy Building. To obtain a practical interpretation of this building concept, it is necessary to clarify two main issues: (i) how it is possible to select a reliable and agreed upon concept of “zero energy”; (ii) which technological features might be used to reach that target. In order to test the design of a nearly Zero Energy Building in the South of Europe, we present as case study an Italian Passivhaus located in the Po Valley that has been monitored for 18 months and analyzed through dynamic simulations of calibrated models. In this paper we present a selection of the result of the monitoring and simulation phases regarding the contribution (in terms of reduction of the indoor operative temperatures) of Earth-to-Air Heat Exchangers and natural ventilation strategies to meet different summer thermal comfort targets and consequently to avoid the installation of an active cooling system.

scholarly journals Thermal performance analysis of net-zero energy building using evolutionary algorithms

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisele Goulart Tavares ◽  
Marcus Vinícius Ferraz ◽  
Eric Vargas Loureiro ◽  
Vitor De Castro Nobre ◽  
Leonardo Goliatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Model ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Block Type ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero

The zero-energy building, also known as Net-Zero Energy Building (NZEB), is based on the concept of an energy-efficient building that balances its total energy using solutions that aim to mitigate CO2 emissions and reduce energy use in the constructions.  Energy consumption in residential and commercial buildings increased between 20% and 40% in developed countries and exceeded the industry and transportation sectors. Due to climate change, by 2050 buildings can consume 20% more energy, with energy performance being the critical element in achieving climate goals and improving energy security. The objective of this paper is to maximize the thermal comfort in an NZEB through the evolutionary algorithm PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization), a technique inspired by the collective intelligence of the animals. For this, different constructive parameters were inserted in a geometric model to identify combinations that offer greater comfort. For the optimization problem of this work, the design parameters were: block type, concrete thickness used in the solid slab, mortar type, window size, door size, and cover type. From the geometric model, an IDF file was generated for the parameterization and subsequent energy simulation of the scenarios created by the PSO in the EnergyPlus software. The exchange of materials and parameter values of the model reached lower hours of discomfort per year in comparison to results obtained in the literature.

Evaluation of the energy performance of a net zero energy building in a hot and humid climate

2019 ◽  
Vol 204 ◽  
pp. 109531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minjae Shin ◽  
Juan-Carlos Baltazar ◽  
Jeff S. Haberl ◽  
Edwin Frazier ◽  
Bobby Lynn
Keyword(s):  
Energy Performance ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Humid Climate ◽  
Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Hot And Humid Climate

scholarly journals Potential Reconstruction Design of an Existing Townhouse in Washington DC for Approaching Net Zero Energy Building Goal

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakdirat Kaewunruen ◽  
Jessada Sresakoolchai ◽  
Lalida Kerinnonta
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero

The concept of the Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) has received more interest from researchers due to global warming concerns. This paper proposes to illustrate optional solutions to allow existing buildings to achieve NZEB goals. The aim of this study is to investigate factors that can improve existing building performance to be in line with the NZEB concept and be more sustainable. An existing townhouse in Washington, DC was chosen as the research target to study how to retrofit or reconstruct the design of a building according to the NZEB concept. The methodology of this research is modeling an existing townhouse to assess the current situation and creating optional models for improving energy efficiency of the townhouse in Revit and utilising renewable energy technology for energy supply. This residential building was modeled in three versions to compare changes in energy performance including improving thermal efficiency of building envelope, increasing thickness of the wall, and installing smart windows (switchable windows). These solutions can reduce energy and cost by approximately 8.16%, 10.16%, and 14.65%, respectively, compared to the original townhouse. Two renewable energy technologies that were considered in this research were photovoltaic and wind systems. The methods can be applied to reconstruct other existing buildings in the future.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the energy performance of Zero Energy residential Buildings: complexity of dynamic simulations and results variability

2021 ◽  
Vol 312 ◽  
pp. 06002
Author(s):  
Silvia Di Turi ◽  
Ilaria Falcone ◽  
Iole Nardi ◽  
Laura Ronchetti ◽  
Nicolandrea Calabrese
Keyword(s):  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Zero Energy Building ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Definition Of

Due to its energy and environmental impact, the building sector has become a challenging field in order to fulfil the need for energy renovation and obtain low-consumption buildings. The main issue, for those who approach the feasible design of a Zero Energy Building (ZEB), is to assess, in the most realistic way possible, the thermal and energy needs and the energy production of the building, properly considering all the possible variables. Through the analysis of a newly built residential building case study, this work aims at showing the complexity of the ZEB design, analysing the energy performance as the design choices vary. After characterizing envelope and systems components, potential variations in the model are highlighted by applying a set of updated climatic data, varying occupancy, shading systems and natural ventilation functioning, often neglected. It leads to a wide and differentiated range of results, consequently influenced by the design phase. The work aims at providing, in the definition of the energy performance of the building, an evaluation of the variations obtained from the variables analysed that in the modelling phase are normally considered as a boundary but which instead play a key role for achieving the ZEB objective.

scholarly journals Concept, Design and Energy Performance of a Net Zero-Energy Building in Mediterranean Climate

2016 ◽  
Vol 169 ◽  
pp. 26-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Ascione ◽  
Nicola Bianco ◽  
Filippo de Rossi ◽  
Rosa Francesca De Masi ◽  
Giuseppe Peter Vanoli
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Climate ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Concept Design ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document