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We have created this website to showcase the NZEB design projects of IDeAs, we hope you are inspired to start saving the world, one building at a time.

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What is NZEB?

Net Zero Energy, Zero Carbon. A Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB or Z2 building) is a building that has zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions over the course of one year. That means energy is harvested on-site, producing as much energy as is consumed. Generally, these buildings create no direct greenhouse gases (GHG's) because they do not use fossil fuels such as natural gas. Because of the elimination of GHG emissions, this zero fossil energy consumption principle is gaining in interest. Traditional building use consumes 40% of the total fossil energy in the US and EU. By building with NZEB concepts, we become less reliant on the energy grid and help the global climate.

Energy Efficiency First

PV sunshade

The first priority of a Net Zero Energy Building is energy efficiency.  From the beginning of the design process, the design team sets the goal to actively reduce energy consumption of the final building. Typically, the integrated design team includes the building owner, architect, engineers, and contractors.  Efficiency efforts integrate passive solar techniques with advanced glazing and insulation, use of intelligent sensors and controls, daylight harvesting, and natural ventilation.  Using energy-saving features from the beginning phase of construction is a significant departure from conventional building methods. 

 

Harvesting Energy

Second to energy efficiency in obtaining a NZEB, is creating the remaining energy needs on-site with renewable energy, such as photovoltaic cells or wind turbines.  NZEBs harvest available energy to meet their electricity and heating or cooling needs.  Some buildings are connected to the grid in order to export electricity when there is a surplus or draw electricity when there is not enough being produced.   Others are fully autonomous.

 

Knowledge

radiant IR

A key aspect to achieving net zero is educating building occupants and having building energy monitoring for feedback on the health of the building and its systems. Retro-commissioning and on-going energy audits will help to ensure proper building performance and give building occupants the necessary data and feedback to maintain systems. 

By sharing our lessons learned through the design, construction and operation of NZEBs we hope that our experiences can become learning tools for industry collaborators, policy makers, and citizens of planet earth.

 

 

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