NZEB – Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings

The “Net Zero” – Option

While “net zero” or “plus-energy” concepts are already widely used for marketing purposes all over the world an international harmonized definition and methodology is missing. A key issue is the (superficial) simplicity of the concept, which turns to be a big challenge: The first strategy is to reduce energy demand through suitable architectural design and improved building envelopes. But, addressing the limitations of autonomous buildings, while still achieving “zero”, leads to utility-connected solutions to optimize energy-generation, distribution and storage. This “net zero” approach (NZEB) still incorporates on-site renewable energy but the focus is on achieving an annual balance of energy-supply and demand through interactions with grids.

National contact
DI Armin Knotzer
AEE – Institute for Sustainable Technologies
Feldgasse 19, A- 8200 Gleisdorf
Mailto: a.knotzer@aee.at

Project – partners:
Austria
Australia
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
Germany
Italy
France
Finland
Republic of Korea
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdome
USA

Task-website:
http://www.iea-shc.org/task40/