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Objectives
The objective of the Task/Annex is to study current net-zero, near net-zero
and very low energy buildings and to develop a common understanding, a
methodology, tools, innovative solutions and industry guidelines. A
primary means of achieving this objective is to document and propose
practical NZEB demonstration projects, with convincing architectural
quality. These exemplars and the supporting sourcebook, guidelines and
tools are viewed as keys to industry adoption. These projects will aim
to equalize their small annual energy needs, cost-effectively, through
building integrated heating/cooling systems, power generation and
interactions with utilities.
The planned outcome of the Task/Annex is to support the conversion of the NZEB
concept from an idea and a “slogan” into practical reality in the
marketplace. The Task source book and the datasets will provide
realistic case studies of how NZEBs can be achieved. Demonstrating and
documenting real projects will also lower industry resistance to
adoption of these concepts.
The Task/Annex will build upon recent industry experiences with net-zero and
low energy solar buildings and the most recent developments in whole
building integrated design and operation. The joint international
research and demonstration activity will address concerns of
comparability of performance calculations between building types and
communities for different climates in participating countries. The goal
is solution sets that are attractive for broad industry adoption.
The scope includes major building types (residential and
non-residential), existing and new, for the climatic zones represented
by the participating countries. The work will be linked to national
activities and will focus on individual buildings, clusters of buildings
and small settlements. The work will be based on analysis of existing
examples that leads to the development innovative solutions to be
incorporated into demonstration buildings.
Although this Task/Annex will not research large community-scale developments,
the Task/Annex will study the interaction and integration of large numbers of NZEBs with electric and natural gas utilities and community energy
systems. The work will be connected to other international
collaborations on net zero energy solutions at the community level.
This Task/Annex will pursue integrated architecture and optimal integrated
design solutions that provide good indoor environment for both heating
and cooling situations. The process recognizes the importance of
optimizing the design for the functional requirement, reducing loads and
designing energy systems that pave the way for seamless incorporation of
renewable energy innovations as they become cost effective.
A goal of the Task/Annex is to advance the NZEB concept from an idea and a
“slogan“ into practical reality in the marketplace. The Task source book
and the datasets will provide realistic case studies of how NZEBs can be
achieved. Demonstrating and documenting real projects will also lower
industry resistance to adoption of these concepts.
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