Net Zero buildings
Net Zero buildings
(OP)
High all,
I could not afford to go to the ASHRAE show on net zero in san Francisco this past month.
Can anyone volunteer information on the show if possible?
How do we HVAC engineers contribute to net zero buildings? We can reduce energy, but what are the big features of a net zero building besides installing a geothermal/wind turbines/solar panels and the likes.
What is the definition of Net zero as used today? 100% on-site waste treatment? energy producing facility?
Similarly, what is the definition of a carbon free facility as used today?
Thank you
I could not afford to go to the ASHRAE show on net zero in san Francisco this past month.
Can anyone volunteer information on the show if possible?
How do we HVAC engineers contribute to net zero buildings? We can reduce energy, but what are the big features of a net zero building besides installing a geothermal/wind turbines/solar panels and the likes.
What is the definition of Net zero as used today? 100% on-site waste treatment? energy producing facility?
Similarly, what is the definition of a carbon free facility as used today?
Thank you





RE: Net Zero buildings
The definition of "net zero" is still under discussion - does it mean net zero based on a yearly average use (use some energy from the grid, but put back more than you've used over the year), or use zero energy from the grid period? Or use net zero of all kinds of energy in a Living Building scenario? (See Cascadia Living Building Challenge)
Carbon neutral- same thing- means different things to different people, there's still a variety of carbon neutral definitions.
RE: Net Zero buildings
RE: Net Zero buildings
RE: Net Zero buildings
Electrical energy would be the primary energy need for the building which can be generated on site by any number of mainstream renewable generation sources, PV panels, Wind generators, combined heat'n'power, etc. No more maintenance intensive than a boiler/chiller plant, or packaged rooftop DX cooling systems.
RE: Net Zero buildings
As for PV, wind energy, and combined heat'n'power et al being "mainstream", I think that's a stretch in the context of commercial (for-profit) buildings. But I see your point, if you are able to completely eliminate a bunch of mechanical equipment, the maintenance costs could become similar. Whether these systems prove to be as durable as familiar traditional systems is a key point in their life cycle costs.
RE: Net Zero buildings
All buildings need electricity. Reduction of peak electrical loads through envelope, lighting design, fenestration, variable motor technology,cooling strategy and a variety of other 'proven' technologies are the best ways to impact the 'footprint' of a building.
Using PV, wind farms and CHP to 'take the building off grid' are pure and simple a waste of money. Money that would be better off invested in central power plants, where the effect is felt by everyone on the grid. If you have the money to spend donate it to your local power utility requesting that they spend it on green power development.
RE: Net Zero buildings
http://www.masdar.ae/en/home/index.aspx
RE: Net Zero buildings