The smart grid's planning and future development permit renewables' total capacity in zero energy buildings.
FREMONT, CA: In recent years, much progress has been made regarding energy, not just research and analysis; many buildings have been built and operational. The operational facilities allow measurement and monitoring, which is priceless for designing and constructing future buildings.
As building codes move slowly toward a need for all new building projects to be designed and built-in compliance with ZEB standards, the facilities' operational data will become essential to inform the code officials.
Few municipalities require building construction to be zero energy ready, which means the building can be developed and function without the renewable energy component. Renewable energy can be included later without any changes to the building infrastructure. Globally, several instances of very efficient buildings leverage a fraction of the energy compared to a code-compliant building of the same construction, size, and location.
Although these buildings are path-breaking and highly efficient, for the most part, they rely on electricity supplied by the electrical grid. ZEB is also highly advanced and efficient and uses electricity produced by on-site renewable energy.
As more ZEB is built, the lessons learned from the past projects will gradually cement the break between rock-solid design and construction practices and the complexities that invariably arise while working on a novel and technically advanced project. When the crack is nearly closed, there should be numerous resources that can be made accessible to professionals evaluating the practicability of constructing a ZEB.
Open-source standards and most acceptable practices are one way to protect zero energy building projects; planning, design, construction, and operation are vital principles that must be available to a vast audience. This standardization will encourage closer coordination betwixt manufacturers and builders and enable a standard dialog between code officials and designers. Ultimately, there will be more assistance if lawmakers and their constituents realize ZEB's value to the public and the environment.
