Zero Energy Building: Concept and Understanding the Factors to Achieve it.
Zero Energy Building Concept:
The energy sector of India has
evolved and made astonishing progress over recent years. Considering
electricity production and consumption, India is the third-largest producer as
well as the third-largest consumer [3][4]. It is notable that Renewable power
generation also made impressive progress which covers around 34.68% of the
total capacity. The residential sector had a major impact on the consumption of
energy which is about 24.76% of the total production [5]. To minimize
consumption there are many ways to achieve it. Zero Energy Building (ZEB) for
the residential sector is one of the solutions to reduce the overall
consumption of energy. In simple words, ZEB is the building using renewable
technologies to meet the energy demand balancing the total supply [1].
The concept of ZEB is using
the terms at which a building is utilizing the locally available renewable
resources to produce the electricity where the total produced energy annually
is equal to the total energy consumed annually [1]. The concept of ZEB is very
useful in terms of saving energy and money which makes it applicable and an
effective solution for the private commercial sectors. Through ZEB commercial
sectors can achieve their goals by making extra savings through minimizing the
energy consumption [2].
Understanding the Factors to Achieve it:
For the better application of
the zero energy building design first, we should understand the various
technologies, design ideas, lighting patterns, and renewable resources. To make
energy-efficient buildings we must have to prepare a design concept which is
known as passive design. The passive design concept includes designing a
pattern of structure to utilize natural resources like wind, thermal comfort,
sunlight, wind, etc.
There are several ways to
achieve it through passive design. The designing process includes making
decisions about the orientation of walls, opening to make thermal comfort by
providing cooling and heating both by natural light and wind, which can be
achieved through external shading, orientation, natural ventilation and glazing
to the external skin. Another source is daylight to eliminate artificial
lighting. Moreover, the use of the evaporating cooling system should be adopted
to minimize the artificial air conditioning for space.
Passive Design Ideas:
Shading:
Image Source: nzeb.in
Insulation:
Image Source: nzeb.in
For further minimizing the
energy consumption use of solar energy is the best solution. Two types of solar
appliances can be used, one which produces electricity and others which provide
heat. Solar lighting, solar cooker, solar water heater are the example of the
energy-efficient appliances. Moreover, the government is providing various
subsidies to install the solar system which can be more economical considering
future savings.
Solar Energy System:
Image Source: Wikipedia
Other than solar equipment
appliances with Standard & Labeling can be used to optimize energy
consumption, which is advised by the government under the S&L program.
S&L consists of a label of stars on them provided by the government where 5
star means most efficient in energy consumption and 1 star means least
efficient in energy consumption.
Modern lifestyle includes many
appliances that use high energy. Air conditioning units are one of the
appliances which use high energy was to minimize the usage it is advisable to
use only BEE star labeled units.
For any zero energy building
or say net-zero energy building renewable energy resources are the most
important to meet the goal of reducing energy consumption. Renewable energy
resources are the most important part of the zero energy building. The complete
success of the zero energy building depends on the application and availability
of renewable technologies.
The application of renewable technologies can be attempted in an early stage of designing or as an additional set of the design afterward. Except solar technology other renewable resources are location dependent. Other than solar technology various renewable technologies are the wind turbine system, hydro energy plant, biomass energy production.
The mentioned systems are not new to the industry. Each system is being utilized at its best as per its availability. From the mentioned above technologies the most used technology after solar panels is bio-gas production. The use of the bio-gas system is very much popular in the rural as well as in some of the parts of urban areas.
The Bio-gas system is more efficient and successful in rural regions because of the availability of raw materials for production. Considering cost-effectiveness bio-gas and solar can be economical at a particular point where providing it to multiple consumers or a single can also afford the system, in contrast, other two resources can be more expensive to consider for the smaller application hence they do not apply to small projects and used as the commercial application only.
The application of renewable technologies can be attempted in an early stage of designing or as an additional set of the design afterward. Except solar technology other renewable resources are location dependent. Other than solar technology various renewable technologies are the wind turbine system, hydro energy plant, biomass energy production.
The mentioned systems are not new to the industry. Each system is being utilized at its best as per its availability. From the mentioned above technologies the most used technology after solar panels is bio-gas production. The use of the bio-gas system is very much popular in the rural as well as in some of the parts of urban areas.
The Bio-gas system is more efficient and successful in rural regions because of the availability of raw materials for production. Considering cost-effectiveness bio-gas and solar can be economical at a particular point where providing it to multiple consumers or a single can also afford the system, in contrast, other two resources can be more expensive to consider for the smaller application hence they do not apply to small projects and used as the commercial application only.
Renewable Energy Resources:
Image Source: nzeb.in
There are several case studies
available in India representing the net-zero energy building. Links for the
same are provided below. Just click on the below text to redirect towards the
case study.
Wind Turbine System:
Image Source: nzeb.in
Bio-gas Production System:
Image Source: nzeb.in
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