Zero Energy Buildings Are Gaining Ground

                                                                                         

Automobiles, ships and airplanes aren’t the only users of energy. Buildings account for about 40 percent of the energy use in the U.S. and Europe. A new concept is gaining ground—the biofriendly Zero Energy Building (ZEB). There are several interpretations of what exactly constitutes a zero energy building, depending on one’s point of view. Some define it as a building that on average returns as much energy to the utility companies as it uses; others say it is a building with zero utility costs, yet another group will only consider buildings that are not connected to the utility grid at all. A different way of looking at it is a building that has zero carbon emissions.

A building that has a zero net energy use as well as a zero net carbon emission is sometimes referred to as ZEB squared, or Z2. (1)

Many factors come into play when designing a zero or near-zero energy building, not the least of which are the prevailing climatic conditions. Some other factors are insulation, weatherization, building materials, building orientation and landscaping and energy-efficient appliances. Building designs are typically based on sophisticated 3-D computer modeling software in order to achieve the most optimum costs and benefits.

Most ZEBs use a combination of energy conservation, such as superior insulation and energy generation, using solar and/or wind energy. They may be connected to the electric utility grid, if only to export surplus electricity when more power is being generated than needed.

The zero energy concept applies to homes, as well as office buildings and may be expanded to include zero energy communities and even cities. One example is the Dongtan Eco-City near Shanghai in China. (2)

Passive solar heating and cooling are far more cost effective to implement than photo-voltaics (PV). Energy savings of 70 to 90% can be achieved using passive techniques, with only a small initial investment compared to PV.

In California, the San Jose Z-squared Design Facility, commissioned by Integrated Design Associates (IdeAs) was officially opened and occupied in October 2007. This former bank building was upgraded using simple, affordable changes, such as best use of daylight, effective insulation, glazing of windows, heat pump cooling and energy-efficient computer equipment and appliances.

Habitat for Humanity, an organization founded in 1976, has contributed to the zero energy cause as well. The organization has enjoyed phenomenal growth since 1984, supported by the efforts of former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn, in providing affordable homes for low-income families, Built entirely by volunteers, a house built near Denver, Colorado, in fact produced more energy than it needed. (4)

The ZEB concept, while attracting much interest and commitment around the world, is still in its infancy. It will take years before its effects will be felt in overall energy consumption. Meanwhile, the dependency on fossil fuels is still enormous. One company, Biofriendly Corporation, is contributing to a greener planet with its Green Plus® liquid fuel catalyst, which produces a cleaner, more linear burn in internal combustion engines, thereby reducing harmful emissions, increasing torque and improving fuel economy.

For more information about Green Plus, visit the Biofriendly website at www.biofriendly.com.

References:

(1) http://www.buildings.com/articles/detail.aspx?contentID=4988
(2) http://www.arup.com/eastasia/project.cfm?pageid=7047
(3) http://www.ideasi.com/page44.html
(4) http://www.cres-energy.org/reba_2006_nrelhrh.html

About the author:
Author, Peter Verhoeff, contributes articles on environmental issues for Biofriendly Corporation. More information on these and other topics can be found on the Biofriendly site.

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