PhD-Thesis by Eike Musall
Books and book contributions by Eike Musall
Solution Sets for Net-Zero Energy Buildings, 2017
In this chapter, Net ZEB design is discussed from an architectural perspective. This can be chara... more In this chapter, Net ZEB design is discussed from an architectural perspective. This can be characterized as bringing some issues traditionally the concern of Building Engineers (predominately energy-based) into the building design domain which has been traditionally dominated by an Architectural view point. Although the word design may have been used previously in the context of technical issues related to the energy design of a Net ZEB, in this chapter, the word design refers to the architecture field (architecture: the art or practice of designing and building structures and especially habitable ones). This includes possible extensions of discussions to the landscape scale (landscape design). Some technical concepts already discussed in this book will be re-proposed, focusing on spatial and formal aspects related to Net ZEB design.
Solution Sets for Net-Zero Energy Buildings, 2017
In this chapter, the data (buildings and measures) gathered from the Task 40 Net Zero Energy Sola... more In this chapter, the data (buildings and measures) gathered from the Task 40 Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings Research Project is presented with detailed descriptions and summaries. As discussed in Chapter , the thirty case study buildings are partitioned into five groups by Climate and Building type. The measures deployed by these buildings are grouped by Building Requirement and this is not a strict partitioning as it is common that one measure contributes to meeting more than one requirement (e.g., BIPV/T deployed to address Electricity and Heating requirements). The case studies of the IEA SHC Task 40/EBC Annex 52 are portioned into groupings according to building types, climate efficiency measures.
Solution Sets for Net-Zero Energy Buildings, 2017
In this chapter, the methodology for analyzing the zero energy case study buildings is presented.... more In this chapter, the methodology for analyzing the zero energy case study buildings is presented. The underlying principles of this methodology are presented in this introductory Section , including the potential ways in which the balance between energy load and generation may be calculated. The methodology itself is presented in Section. A summary of the methodology is then given in Section describing how it is applied to the Case Studies resulting in the derivation of general strategies for addressing general building requirements.
Transition to Renewable Energy Systems, Jun 2013
Zero – Konzepte für Null- und Plusenergiehäuser, Mar 2013
Zero – Konzepte für Null- und Plusenergiehäuser, Mar 2013
Zero – Konzepte für Null- und Plusenergiehäuser, Mar 2013
Zero – Konzepte für Null- und Plusenergiehäuser, Mar 2013
"Strategies and experiences from the perspective of planners and users
Net zero energy buildi... more "Strategies and experiences from the perspective of planners and users
Net zero energy buildings, equilibrium buildings or carbon neutral cities – depending on location and the reasons for making the calculation, the numbers are run differently. The variety of terms in use indicates that a scientific method is still lacking – which is a problem not just in regard to international communication, but also with respect to planning processes as a response to energy challenges. The clarification and meaning of the most important terms in use is extremely important for their implementation.
Since October 2008, a panel of experts from an international energy agency has concerned itself with these topics as part of a project entitled “Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings”. The objective is to analyse exemplary buildings that are near a zero-energy balance in order to develop methods and tools for the planning, design and operation of such buildings. The results are documented in this publication: In addition to the presentation of select projects, it is not just architectural showcase projects that are shown – the focus is on relaying knowledge and experience gained by planners and builders.
Even if many questions remain unanswered: Project examples that have already been implemented prove on a practical basis that the objective of a zero energy balance is already possible today.
Representation of a comprehensive balancing methodology
Explanation and usage contexts of crucial terminology
Energy balancing in building practice
Implementation examples of zero energy and plus energy buildings
Typology-oriented cross-sectional views of international projects
"
Nullenergiehaus, Plusenergiehaus, Nullemissionsstadt: Bei den Diskussionen über den richtigen ene... more Nullenergiehaus, Plusenergiehaus, Nullemissionsstadt: Bei den Diskussionen über den richtigen energiepolitischen Kurs in die Zukunft steht auch unsere gebaute Umwelt im Fokus. Noch werden die bereits bekannten und erprobten Maßnahmen zu selten angewendet, mit denen sich Energieverbrauch und Emissionen vermindern lassen, die nicht nur bei der Errichtung von Gebäuden, sondern gerade auch bei der Instandhaltung und Nutzung über ihren gesamten Lebenszyklus entstehen.
So einfach jedoch das Vorgehen der Energiebilanzierung auf den ersten Blick erscheint, so komplex wird es im Detail und so zahlreich sind die offenen Fragen. Diese Publikation stellt anhand 23 beispielhafter Projekte unterschiedlicher Nutzungstypologien und Größen die Umsetzung in verschiedenen Maßstäben und Klimaten vor. Die objektspezifische Dokumentation von Architektur und Energiekonzept wird durch die jeweiligen Erfahrungen auf dem Weg zu klimaneutralem Wohnen und Arbeiten ergänzt. Die aus dem Vergleich der Zielerreichung hergeleiteten Querschnittsergebnisse verweisen auf erfolgversprechende Strategien: »Nullenergie« ist machbar!
Prognostizierte Klimaveränderungen, das EU-Klimaschutzpaket 2020 und die Tatsache, dass ein Großt... more Prognostizierte Klimaveränderungen, das EU-Klimaschutzpaket 2020 und die Tatsache, dass ein Großteil deutscher Klimagase durch Haushalte ausgestoßen wird, beschreiben die Notwendigkeit, städte- und hochbauliche Konzepte zu entwickeln, die es erlauben, Wohneinheiten ohne nennenswerte CO2-Emissionen zu betreiben. Was wie ein fernes Zukunftsszenario klingt und für viele meist nur unter enormen Aufwendungen oder aber großen Entbehrungen vorstellbar bleibt, ist möglich, ist Gegenwart! Die technologische Möglichkeit besteht bereits und werden ihre Potenziale richtig genutzt und kombiniert, ist ein Quartier unter der Maßgabe Nullemission auch an einem schwierigen Standort samt Bestandeinbindung und ohne (Komfort-) Einbußen im Vergleich zu anderen Siedlungsprojekten entwickelbar. Die vorliegende Studie zeigt ein umfassendes, architekturbasiertes Energiekonzept mit entwerferischen, verbrauchssenkenden und versorgungstechnischen Maßnahmen sowie eine rechnerische Bilanzierung mit dem Ziel der Nullemissionssiedlung. Eine Neukonzeption des aus der Nachkriegszeit stammenden Wohnquartiers Am Müggenberg in Arnsberg-Neheim bildet nach eingehender Analyse vorhandener Potenziale und unter Berücksichtigung städtebaulich-qualitativer Faktoren wie Bebauungsvarianz, Aufenthaltsqualität, Verkehrskonzept und Infrastruktur sowie einer architekturintegralen Konzipierung die Grundlage eines rechnerischen Nachweises einer jährlichen Netto-Nullemissionsbilanz. Dabei vereint der Rohstoff Holz die verschiedenen Felder Umfeld, Baukonstruktion, Ökologie und Energieversorgung. Übergreifend stellt sich die Nachhaltigkeit als gelebte und gebaute Verantwortung in den Vordergrund und schließt dennoch keine demographische oder soziale Klientel aus. Beschriebene städtebauliche Ansätze verbinden sich mit der ökologischen Haltung des Entwurfsziels und unterstützen das gemeinschaftliche Zusammenleben. Dem möglichen Bewohner werden keine befremdenden Komforteinbußen auferlegt, stattdessen bieten viele energetisch sinnvolle Wege ein Plus an Service und Gemeinschaft. Angedachtes verdichtetes Bauen gilt zwar als Indikator ökologischer Siedlungen, doch führt dies bei der den architektonischen Grundüberlegungen folgenden energetischen Grobanalyse samt Aufstellung aller Verbrauchs- bzw. Bedarfsbereiche zu Sorgen. So zeigt sich, dass der Gesamtprimärenergiebedarf enorm stromdominiert ist und das Ziel einer ausgeglichenen Netto-Jahresenergiebilanz ohne eine konsequente Reduzierung des Heizwärmebedarfs sowie der elektrischen Energie in allen technischen, versorgungsrelevanten und haushaltseigenen Sektoren nicht erreichbar wäre. Neben bekannten aber dennoch ambitionierten Wegen zur Wärmeenergieeinsparung werden diesen daher vor allem Konzepte zur Seite gestellt, die helfen, elektrische Energie in Höhe von über 30% einsparen zu können. Hierbei gilt es speziell diese Erkenntnis architektonisch umzusetzen, was neue Ideen für den Wohnsektor bedeutet. Als elementarer Punkt in Städte- und Hochbau rückt daher neben dem Verhältnis zwischen Wohnflächen bzw. Bewohner zu aktiv nutzbarer Dachfläche die strikte Vorhaltung geeigneter und unverschatteter Flächen für aktive Solarnutzung sowie architektonisch beeinflussbare Stromeffizienz in den Fokus.
Articles and Papers by Eike Musall
TAB, 2022
Unter dem Motto MINIMAL IMPACT – MAXIMUM OUTPUT (MIMO) wird ein gründerzeitliches
Industriegebäud... more Unter dem Motto MINIMAL IMPACT – MAXIMUM OUTPUT (MIMO) wird ein gründerzeitliches
Industriegebäude und heutiges Tanzhaus energetisch saniert und um eine Wohnnutzung
aufgestockt. Das Wuppertaler Quartier Mirke ist Standort der Nachverdichtung
und zugleich Schauplatz des Finales des Gebäudeenergiewettbewerbs Solar Decathlon
Europe. Dessen deutsche Projekte – hier das zweite – stellt die tab in einer Serie vor.
Bauphysik, 2022
MIMO – MINIMAL IMPACT, MAXIMUM OUTPUT – Stacked
Tiny Houses as an urban living community
The inte... more MIMO – MINIMAL IMPACT, MAXIMUM OUTPUT – Stacked
Tiny Houses as an urban living community
The interdisciplinary team MIMO of the University of Applied
Sciences Düsseldorf is working on the holistic, resource-efficient
redensification of urban districts. A Wilhelminian industrial
building and current dance hall is being energetically renovated
and extended with apartments. The theoretical design
and subsequent 1:1 implementation will address the continued
use and revitalisation of the existing building stock, recyclable
construction and material use, the use of recycled, ecological
and recyclable materials, socially sustainable aspects in the
sense of community and participation, and the use of local, renewable
energies to equalize the building’s energy and life cycle
balance.
Grundsätzlich besitzen Gebäude das Potenzial und die Infrastruktur, um die von ihnen benötigte En... more Grundsätzlich besitzen Gebäude das Potenzial und die Infrastruktur, um die von ihnen benötigte Energie vor Ort selbst zu erzeugen. Hier setzt die Idee der Null- bzw. Plusenergiegebäude an, von denen weltweit und gerade auch in Deutschland immer mehr entstehen. Sie tragen Namen wie „Plusenergiehaus“, „Nullemissionshaus“, „EffizienzhausPlus“, „AktivPlushaus“ oder „SolarAktivHaus“ sowie international „(net) zero energy building“, „carbon neutral home“, „EQuilibrium™ House“ oder „Bâtiment à énergie positive“. - See more at: http://www.bine.info/publikationen/themeninfos/publikation/null-und-plusenergiegebaeude
With the current movement towards Net Zero Energy Buildings (Net ZEBs) decisions regarding energy... more With the current movement towards Net Zero Energy Buildings (Net ZEBs) decisions regarding energy carrier weighting factors will have implications on which technologies could be favoured or disfavoured, and therefore adopted or not adopted, in the building sector of the near future. These implications should be taken into consideration by policy makers when developing legislation and regulations addressing the building sector. A parametric analysis was conducted on six buildings in Europe of different typologies and climates in order to assess how different weighting factors would impact the choice of technical systems to be installed. For each combination the amount of PV capacity necessary to achieve a net zero balance has been calculated and used as the main indicator for comparison; where less PV area means more favourable condition. The effect of including a solar thermal system is also discussed. With the current European national weighting factors, biomass boiler is largely the preferred solution, frequently achieving the balance with PV installed on the roof, while gas boiler is the most penalized. The situation changes when strategic weighting factors are applied. Lower weighting factors for electricity and district heating, e.g. reflecting national targets of increased penetration of renewables in such grids, would promote the use of heat pump and district heating, respectively. Asymmetric factors aimed at rewarding electricity export to the grid would facilitate the achievement of the zero balance for all technologies, promoting cogeneration in some cases. On the contrary, low weighting factors for electricity, e.g. reflecting a scenario of high decarbonisation of the power system, prove quite demanding; only few technical solutions would be able to reach the balance within the available roof area for PV, because of the low value credited to exported electricity. In this situation, the preferred solution would be heat pumps combined with solar thermal. In addition, the choice of weighting factors and the resulting favoured technologies will determine the temporal matching of load and generation. While all-electric solutions tend to use the grid as seasonal storage, other solutions will have a yearly net export of electricity to the grid to compensate for the supply of other (thermal) energy carriers. Therefore, it is important to consider the implications for the electricity grid resulting from the choice of weighting factors.
The REHVA European HVAC Journal 3/2014, Apr 28, 2014
"The Net Zero Energy Building concept is internationally already well known. But now new
discuss... more "The Net Zero Energy Building concept is internationally already well known. But now new
discussions arise because of the actually role and use of renewable energies in Net ZEBs
and according to the interaction with the public grid infrastructure as well as seasonal
differences between energy generation and demand."
Net Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs) have received increased attention in recent years as a result o... more Net Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs) have received increased attention in recent years as a result of constant concerns for energy supply constraints, decreasing energy resources, increasing energy costs and rising impact of greenhouse gases on world climate. Promoting whole, building strategies that employ passive measures with energy efficient systems and technologies using renewable energy, became a European political strategy since the publication of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive recast in May 2010 by the European Parliament and Council. Designing successful NZEBs however, represents a challenge since the definitions are yet generic assessment method and monitoring approach are under development and the literature is relatively scarce about the best sets of solutions for different typologies and climates likely to deliver an actual and reliable performance in terms of energy balance (consumed vs generated) on a cost-effective basis. Beside this, the lessons learned from already built NZEBs examples are relatively scarce. The authors of this paper, who are participants in the IEA SHC Task 40-ECBCS Annex 52, “Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings”, are willing to share insights from on-going research work on some best practice leading NZEBs residential buildings. Although there is no standard approach for designing a Net Zero-Energy Building (there are many different possible combinations of passive and efficient active measures, utility equipment and on-site energy generation technologies able to achieve the net-zero energy performance), a close examination of the chosen strategies and the relative performance indicators of the selected case studies reveal that it is possible to achieve zero-energy performance using well known strategies adjusted accordingly to balance climate driven-demand for space heating/cooling,
lighting, ventilation and others energy uses with climate-driven supply from renewable energy resources.
"The energy topic has become increasingly important in architecture: since buildings are big cons... more "The energy topic has become increasingly important in architecture: since buildings are big consumers of energy and architects and the public are interested in energy as never before. The Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) establishes that starting from 31st December 2020 all new buildings have to be Nearly Zero Energy.
The main architectural implication for this condition is that if up until now the domain of design was the building itself, now it is the building and possibly other spaces, that have to be conceived for placing the energy generation devices. Photovoltaics (PV) is particularly suited for reaching the (Nearly) Net ZEB status, due to its technical features, the existing knowledge on how to use PV in buildings, and since it is the easiest and most reliable way to get the (Nearly) Net Zero Energy objectives. A relevant international effort on the subject of the Net Zero Energy Buildings (Net ZEBs) - Net ZEB meaning that the buildings are connected to an energy infrastructure - is ongoing in the International Energy Agency (IEA), joint Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) Task 40 and Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems (ECBCS) Annex 52, titled “Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings”. The authors of this paper, all participating in the IEA research group, investigate how the use of PV for Net ZEBs can influence the building’s design, taking into account different building typologies (e. g. new ones vs. existing ones, listed buildings, etc.). Similarities and differences between PV and Solar Thermal (ST) are discussed, too. The paper results in defining some architectural issues for using PV in NZEBs design, which implie to re-think the way buildings are designed."
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PhD-Thesis by Eike Musall
Books and book contributions by Eike Musall
Net zero energy buildings, equilibrium buildings or carbon neutral cities – depending on location and the reasons for making the calculation, the numbers are run differently. The variety of terms in use indicates that a scientific method is still lacking – which is a problem not just in regard to international communication, but also with respect to planning processes as a response to energy challenges. The clarification and meaning of the most important terms in use is extremely important for their implementation.
Since October 2008, a panel of experts from an international energy agency has concerned itself with these topics as part of a project entitled “Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings”. The objective is to analyse exemplary buildings that are near a zero-energy balance in order to develop methods and tools for the planning, design and operation of such buildings. The results are documented in this publication: In addition to the presentation of select projects, it is not just architectural showcase projects that are shown – the focus is on relaying knowledge and experience gained by planners and builders.
Even if many questions remain unanswered: Project examples that have already been implemented prove on a practical basis that the objective of a zero energy balance is already possible today.
Representation of a comprehensive balancing methodology
Explanation and usage contexts of crucial terminology
Energy balancing in building practice
Implementation examples of zero energy and plus energy buildings
Typology-oriented cross-sectional views of international projects
"
So einfach jedoch das Vorgehen der Energiebilanzierung auf den ersten Blick erscheint, so komplex wird es im Detail und so zahlreich sind die offenen Fragen. Diese Publikation stellt anhand 23 beispielhafter Projekte unterschiedlicher Nutzungstypologien und Größen die Umsetzung in verschiedenen Maßstäben und Klimaten vor. Die objektspezifische Dokumentation von Architektur und Energiekonzept wird durch die jeweiligen Erfahrungen auf dem Weg zu klimaneutralem Wohnen und Arbeiten ergänzt. Die aus dem Vergleich der Zielerreichung hergeleiteten Querschnittsergebnisse verweisen auf erfolgversprechende Strategien: »Nullenergie« ist machbar!
Articles and Papers by Eike Musall
Industriegebäude und heutiges Tanzhaus energetisch saniert und um eine Wohnnutzung
aufgestockt. Das Wuppertaler Quartier Mirke ist Standort der Nachverdichtung
und zugleich Schauplatz des Finales des Gebäudeenergiewettbewerbs Solar Decathlon
Europe. Dessen deutsche Projekte – hier das zweite – stellt die tab in einer Serie vor.
Tiny Houses as an urban living community
The interdisciplinary team MIMO of the University of Applied
Sciences Düsseldorf is working on the holistic, resource-efficient
redensification of urban districts. A Wilhelminian industrial
building and current dance hall is being energetically renovated
and extended with apartments. The theoretical design
and subsequent 1:1 implementation will address the continued
use and revitalisation of the existing building stock, recyclable
construction and material use, the use of recycled, ecological
and recyclable materials, socially sustainable aspects in the
sense of community and participation, and the use of local, renewable
energies to equalize the building’s energy and life cycle
balance.
discussions arise because of the actually role and use of renewable energies in Net ZEBs
and according to the interaction with the public grid infrastructure as well as seasonal
differences between energy generation and demand."
lighting, ventilation and others energy uses with climate-driven supply from renewable energy resources.
The main architectural implication for this condition is that if up until now the domain of design was the building itself, now it is the building and possibly other spaces, that have to be conceived for placing the energy generation devices. Photovoltaics (PV) is particularly suited for reaching the (Nearly) Net ZEB status, due to its technical features, the existing knowledge on how to use PV in buildings, and since it is the easiest and most reliable way to get the (Nearly) Net Zero Energy objectives. A relevant international effort on the subject of the Net Zero Energy Buildings (Net ZEBs) - Net ZEB meaning that the buildings are connected to an energy infrastructure - is ongoing in the International Energy Agency (IEA), joint Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) Task 40 and Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems (ECBCS) Annex 52, titled “Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings”. The authors of this paper, all participating in the IEA research group, investigate how the use of PV for Net ZEBs can influence the building’s design, taking into account different building typologies (e. g. new ones vs. existing ones, listed buildings, etc.). Similarities and differences between PV and Solar Thermal (ST) are discussed, too. The paper results in defining some architectural issues for using PV in NZEBs design, which implie to re-think the way buildings are designed."
Net zero energy buildings, equilibrium buildings or carbon neutral cities – depending on location and the reasons for making the calculation, the numbers are run differently. The variety of terms in use indicates that a scientific method is still lacking – which is a problem not just in regard to international communication, but also with respect to planning processes as a response to energy challenges. The clarification and meaning of the most important terms in use is extremely important for their implementation.
Since October 2008, a panel of experts from an international energy agency has concerned itself with these topics as part of a project entitled “Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings”. The objective is to analyse exemplary buildings that are near a zero-energy balance in order to develop methods and tools for the planning, design and operation of such buildings. The results are documented in this publication: In addition to the presentation of select projects, it is not just architectural showcase projects that are shown – the focus is on relaying knowledge and experience gained by planners and builders.
Even if many questions remain unanswered: Project examples that have already been implemented prove on a practical basis that the objective of a zero energy balance is already possible today.
Representation of a comprehensive balancing methodology
Explanation and usage contexts of crucial terminology
Energy balancing in building practice
Implementation examples of zero energy and plus energy buildings
Typology-oriented cross-sectional views of international projects
"
So einfach jedoch das Vorgehen der Energiebilanzierung auf den ersten Blick erscheint, so komplex wird es im Detail und so zahlreich sind die offenen Fragen. Diese Publikation stellt anhand 23 beispielhafter Projekte unterschiedlicher Nutzungstypologien und Größen die Umsetzung in verschiedenen Maßstäben und Klimaten vor. Die objektspezifische Dokumentation von Architektur und Energiekonzept wird durch die jeweiligen Erfahrungen auf dem Weg zu klimaneutralem Wohnen und Arbeiten ergänzt. Die aus dem Vergleich der Zielerreichung hergeleiteten Querschnittsergebnisse verweisen auf erfolgversprechende Strategien: »Nullenergie« ist machbar!
Industriegebäude und heutiges Tanzhaus energetisch saniert und um eine Wohnnutzung
aufgestockt. Das Wuppertaler Quartier Mirke ist Standort der Nachverdichtung
und zugleich Schauplatz des Finales des Gebäudeenergiewettbewerbs Solar Decathlon
Europe. Dessen deutsche Projekte – hier das zweite – stellt die tab in einer Serie vor.
Tiny Houses as an urban living community
The interdisciplinary team MIMO of the University of Applied
Sciences Düsseldorf is working on the holistic, resource-efficient
redensification of urban districts. A Wilhelminian industrial
building and current dance hall is being energetically renovated
and extended with apartments. The theoretical design
and subsequent 1:1 implementation will address the continued
use and revitalisation of the existing building stock, recyclable
construction and material use, the use of recycled, ecological
and recyclable materials, socially sustainable aspects in the
sense of community and participation, and the use of local, renewable
energies to equalize the building’s energy and life cycle
balance.
discussions arise because of the actually role and use of renewable energies in Net ZEBs
and according to the interaction with the public grid infrastructure as well as seasonal
differences between energy generation and demand."
lighting, ventilation and others energy uses with climate-driven supply from renewable energy resources.
The main architectural implication for this condition is that if up until now the domain of design was the building itself, now it is the building and possibly other spaces, that have to be conceived for placing the energy generation devices. Photovoltaics (PV) is particularly suited for reaching the (Nearly) Net ZEB status, due to its technical features, the existing knowledge on how to use PV in buildings, and since it is the easiest and most reliable way to get the (Nearly) Net Zero Energy objectives. A relevant international effort on the subject of the Net Zero Energy Buildings (Net ZEBs) - Net ZEB meaning that the buildings are connected to an energy infrastructure - is ongoing in the International Energy Agency (IEA), joint Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) Task 40 and Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems (ECBCS) Annex 52, titled “Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings”. The authors of this paper, all participating in the IEA research group, investigate how the use of PV for Net ZEBs can influence the building’s design, taking into account different building typologies (e. g. new ones vs. existing ones, listed buildings, etc.). Similarities and differences between PV and Solar Thermal (ST) are discussed, too. The paper results in defining some architectural issues for using PV in NZEBs design, which implie to re-think the way buildings are designed."
should be given special attention before developing a new ZEB definition are: the metric of the balance, the balancing period, the type of energy use included in the balance, the type of energy balance, the accepted renewable energy supply options, the connection to the energy infrastructure and the requirements for the energy efficiency, the indoor climate and incase of gird connected ZEB for the building–grid interaction. This paper focuses on the review of the most of the existing ZEB definitions
and the various approaches towards possible ZEB calculation methodologies. It presents and discusses possible answers to the above mentioned issues in order to facilitate the development of a consistent ZEB definition and a robust energy calculation methodology.
representing eight different countries: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and the USA. The different parameters used in the calculations are discussed and the various renewable supply options considered in the methodologies are summarised graphically. Thus, the paper helps to understand different existing approaches to calculate energy balance in Net ZEBs, highlights the importance of variables selection and identify possible renewable energy supply options which may be considered in calculations. Finally, the gap between the methodology proposed by each organisation and their respective national building code is assessed; providing an overview of the possible changes building codes will need to undergo in the coming years.
It is shown that diverse actors with miscellaneous motives have lead to a lot of different building variations. Typical strategies can be assigned to the typology groups "small residential building", "apartment building" and "non residential building". Net ZEBs are much more energy efficient than average buildings which were built according to national construction and energy regulations. None of the leading Net ZEB examples exist without generation of PV electricity. Trends give an outlook of current and possible future combinations of technologies and passive measures for the realization of (future) net zero energy buildings.
Major advantage of the Net Zero Energy Building (Net ZEB) concept is – on the first look – the absence of energy performance indicators such as kWh/m² with the need to set agreed energy limits and reference areas. This simplicity is a major background for the high political and public acceptance of the wording. In general a conventional building might be called Net ZEB as long as the annual energy needs or the associated carbon emissions are balanced by credits from excess energy feed into the grid.
Within the IEA activity “Towards Net Zero Energy Buildings” requirements and performance criteria adding to the annual balance have been discussed and analyzed. A major issue was the discussion of the various forms of temporal mismatch between energy needs and energy generation as well as the mismatch between the type of energy imported to the site (e.g. natural gas + electricity) compared to the type of energy exported to grids (e.g. electricity only). The paper reports on the analysis of example buildings concerning the various levels of mismatch and concludes with a proposal, how to integrate the mismatch aspect as criteria within a harmonized Net ZEB definition framework and methodology.