The Value of Zero

Paul A. Torcellini, Ph.D., P.E.

Principal Engineer
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Associate Professor
Eastern Connecticut State University

End Use

Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

Source

Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

U.S. Building Energy Consumption

Every decision has an
energy impact
Buildings mortgage
the energy futures of
the world

Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

Zero Energy Building

Over the course of a year,
if the on-site renewable
energy produced is
greater than or equal to
the energy consumed
within the boundary, it is
considered a ZEB
Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

Adding Renewables
Over the course of a year,
if the on-site renewable
energy produced is
greater than or equal to
the energy consumed
within the boundary, it is
considered a ZEB
Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

Building on a Diet
Over the course of a year,
if the on-site renewable
energy produced is
greater than or equal to
the energy consumed
within the boundary, it is
considered a ZEB
Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

ZEB Concept
Goal 1
Reduce Consumption
Goal 2
Apply On-site Renewable
Energy

Metrics and Boundaries

Where is the boundary?
What is the metric?
What energy flows will be measured?

Metrics

Site Energy
Source Energy
Emissions
Cost

Zero Energy Building (ZEB) Definition

An energy-efficient building, where on a
source energy basis, the actual annual
delivered energy is less than or equal to the
on-site renewable exported energy

Boundaries

Building and its site

Set of closely related buildings: Campus
Community of buildings
Portfolio of buildings (single owner,
different locations)

Zero Energy Building Site

Import
Purchased
Energy
(Source metric)
Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

Export
Excess Renewable
Energy Produced
(Source Metric)

Zero Energy Building Site

Import
200,000 kBtu
Electricity
160,000 kBtu
Natural Gas
Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

Export
260,000 kBtu
Electricity

Zero Energy Building Site

Import
Electricity
200,0003.15+
Natural Gas
160,0001.09=
804,400 kBtu
Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

Export
Electricity
260,0003.15=

819,000 kBtu

Community

Import
Purchased
Energy
Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

Export Excess
Produced
Energy

Portfolio

Import
Purchased
Energy
Credit: Marjorie Schott/Paul Torcellini NREL

Export Excess
Produced
Energy

ZEB Definition Variations

Zero Energy Campus
An energy-efficient campus where the actual annual source energy
consumption is balanced by on-site renewable energy

Zero Energy Portfolio

An energy-efficient portfolio where the combined actual annual
source energy consumption is balanced by on-site renewable energy

Zero Energy Community

An energy-efficient community where the actual annual source
energy consumption is balanced by on-site renewable energy

II

I
Value Added

III
Credit: Paul Torcellini NREL

IV

Reduce Consumption
Energy consumption can be reduced through:
Architectural elements -- form matches function
Efficiency is part of the envelope
Daylighting
Passive Strategies
Efficient systems & appliances
HVAC designed for loads

Site EUI (kBtu/ft2/yr)

29
27
25
23
21
18
16
14
12

Assumptions:
50% of Roof area
available for PV
20% Efficient PV panels
2 floor
Credit: Marjorie Schott/Shanti Pless/ Paul
Torcellini NREL

Credit: Marjorie Schott/Brent Griffith/Paul

Torcellini NREL

Percent of Floor Area

Able to Reach ZEB
Decreases with
Number of Floors

Credit: NREL PIX 17825