Defining zero energy explored at ASHRAE conference
Zero energy buildings (ZEBs) eliminate the use of non-renewable energy sources by decreasing energy use and producing enough renewable energy to meet the annual energy use attributable to their buildings. According to ASHRAE, while the concept of ZEBs is generally accepted in the building industry, no common definition exists. This creates a challenge in trying to incentivize such buildings and in developing common design strategies.
“We talk about green buildings, sustainable buildings, and high performing buildings, but it is hard to measure success,” said Paul Torcellini, Ph.D., P.E., of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “Zero energy gives you an energy goal that you can predict and measure and you know if you’ve achieved it — ‘Yes, this is’ or ‘no, this isn’t a zero energy building.’”