The zero building: an exemplary nearly zero energy office building (NZEB) and its potential to become a positive energy building (PEB)
Architectural Science Review 66(1) : 214-225 (2023)
Abstract
European energy policies introduced nearly zero energy building (NZEB) design to stimulate the
energy transition in buildings, and EU programs promote the evolution towards positive energy
buildings (PEB). Most studies into NZEBs are based on simulations, and not on real monitoring
data.
This paper presents the real performance data of the Zero building, an NZEB office building with
Leed Gold and Breeam Excellent environmental design certifications located in a neighbourhood
that shares a zero-emission district heating-cooling facility relying only on 100% renewable energy
sources.
The current performance of the building and its neighbourhood is assessed to identify the existing
gap to reach the goals of next generation buildings, namely positive energy buildings (PEB), which
will not consume fossil fuels and will achieve energy self-sufficiency at the neighbourhood scale.
A study the occupied zero building in operation for one year showed that it achieved a degree of
self-sufficiency of 74.3% for the operational electric energy thanks to its PV roof-façade. The
results show that its carbon footprint is only 3.35 kgCO2/m2y, 92% lower than in a typical office
building in locations with the same climate.