Abstract
The paper aims to investigate whether it is possible to achieve a net Zero Emission Building (nZEB) by balancing emissions from the energy used for operation and embodied emissions from materials with those from on-site renewables in the cold climate of Norway. The residential nZEB concept is a so-called all-electric solution where essentially a well-insulated envelope is heated using a heat pump and where photovoltaic panels (PV) production is used to achieve the CO2eq balance. In addition, the main drivers for the emissions are revealed through the CO2eq calculation for a typical Norwegian, single-family house. This concept building provides a benchmark rather than an absolute optimum or an architectural expression of future nZEBs. The main result of this work shows that the criteria for zero emissions in operation (ZEB-O) is easily met, however, it was found that the only use of roof mounted PV production is critical to counterbalance emissions from both operation and materials (ZEB-OM). The results show that the single-family house has a net export to the electric grid with a need for import only during the coldest months. In the next stage of the work, the concept will be further optimised and the evaluation method improved.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 101-110 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Energy and Buildings |
Volume | 74 |
Issue number | May |
Early online date | 31 Jan 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published online - 31 Jan 2014 |
Keywords
- Zero energy building
- Zero emission building
- ZEB
- Building concept
- Life cycle analysis
- Cold climate
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Aoife Houlihan Wiberg
- Belfast School of Architecture & the Be - Professor
- Faculty Of Computing, Eng. & Built Env. - Full Professor
Person: Academic