IEA-EBC Annex 73: Towards Net Zero Energy Resilient Public Communities

Until recently, most planners of public communities (military garrisons, universities, etc.) addressed energy systems for new facilities on an individual facility basis without consideration of energy sources, renewables, storage, or future energy generation needs. A further aspect frequently not integrated in the planning phase is a reliable and robust energy supply during natural disasters and other interferences disturbing the energy supply. Building retrofits of public buildings typically do not address energy needs beyond the minimum code requirements. Energy demand reduction using energy performance contracting models typically address mechanical and lighting systems and their controls; and electrical energy savings from these projects range between 20% and 40% from the pre-renovation baseline.

This project will investigate and integrate innovative energy supply and energy distribution strategies which will culminate in a complete community energy modelling tool concept. Moreover, the project will enhance modelling tools to address resiliency of energy supply solutions and integrate a capability for computation of thermal and electrical network characteristics.