SEMINAR REPORT

ON

NET ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the Requirement
For the award of degree of

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE

Submitted by :

ARPIT SETHI
(10BAC-04) Sem -Xth

Guided by :

AR.ADIBA SHAFIQUE
AR.FAZLUR RAHMAN

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
LINGAYAS UNIVERSITY
FARIDABAD
2015-2016

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the DISSERTATION entitled VIABILITY OF NET ZERO ENERGY
BUILDINGS IN INDIA, submitted by ARPIT SETHI, as a part of 5-year undergraduate
programme in architecture at LINGAYAS UNIVERSITY, is a record bonafide work carried out
by him under guidance. The content included in this dissertation has not been submitted by
any other university / institute for award of any other degree or diploma.

Date:Place:-

ACKNOWLEGEMENT

This study would not have been complete, had it not been for a lot of assistance from a lot of
sources. I take this as an opportunity to extend my gratitude to all of those who have
contributed to the completion of this report in any manner large or small.
When proposal to do a seminar on VIABILITY OF NET ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS IN INDIA was
in the initial stages, it was AR.FAZLUR RAHMAN & AR.ADIBA SHAFIQUE who encouraged me
by providing critical subject material and moral strength. So whole heartedly I thank him for
the same. I am thankful to all the members of the faculty for their advice and comments
during the wax of this work.Special thanks to my family and close friends who helped me at
each step.

LIST OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6

Introduction
Hypothesis
Need for study
Aim and objective
Scope and limitation
Methodology

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4

Net Zero Energy Building

Renewable energy sources and their applicability in India.
Energy consumption of a building
Energy modelling and daylight simulations in enhancing integrated design process

CHAPTER 3: INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDIES

3.1 Ideas Z Squared design faculty, San Jose, CA
3.2 Hawaii gateway energy centre, Kailua-Kona, HI
3.3 Aldo Leopold legacy centre, Baraboo, WI

CHAPTER 4: INDIAN CASE STUDIES

4.1 Shunya, India
4.2 Eco Commercial Building, India

CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSIONS

List of figures:
Fig 1: electricity generation capacity and achievement in India. (Source USAID INDIA)
Fig 2: electricity consumption in various sectors of India. (Source USAID INDIA)
Fig 3: further breakdown of energy consumption of residential and commercial
sector. (Source USAID INDIA)
Fig 4: different climatic zones in India. (Source Energy Conservation Building Code)
Fig 5: array of solar panels and PV installed on a roof top. (Source internet)
Fig 6: solar electric power system. (Source internet)
Fig 7: wind mills. (Source internet)
Fig 8: wind Turbine Configuration. (Source internet)
Fig 9: hydro Power Plant. (Source internet)
Fig 10: turbines. (Source internet)
Fig 11: barrage (dam). (Source internet)
Fig 12: types of energy load in a building. (Source internet)
Fig 13: distribution of heat load. (Source internet)
Fig 14: concept of Ideas Z Squared Design Facility. (Source internet)
Fig 15: plan of Ideas Z Squared Design Facility. (Source internet)
Fig 16: envelope design of Ideas Z Squared Design Facility. (Source internet)
Fig 17: envelope design of Ideas Z Squared Design Facility. (Source internet)
Fig 18: section of Ideas Z Squared Design Facility. (Source internet)
Fig 19: Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre. (Source internet)
Fig 20: concept of Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre. (Source internet)
Fig 21: section of Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre. (Source internet)
Fig 22: elevation of Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre. (Source internet)
Fig 23: elevation of Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre. (Source internet)

Fig 24: Aldo Leopold Legacy Centre. (Source internet)

Fig 25: section through Aldo Leopold Legacy Centre. (Source internet)
Fig 26: Aldo Leopold Legacy Centre. (Source internet)
Fig 27: Shunya. (Source internet)
Fig 28: section through Shunya. (Source article in Buildotech march 2011)
Fig 29: model of shunya. (Source article in Buildotech march 2011)
Fig 30: breakdown of HVAC load. (Source internet)
Fig 31: heat load reduction from envelope in shunya. (Source article in Buildotech march 2011)

Fig 32: Eco Commercial Building. (Source author)

Fig 33: 57kW photovoltaic system and display screen showing the daily energy produced,
energy consumption, energy saved and total carbon footprint. (Source author)

Fig 34: model of ECB. (Source author)

Fig 35: showing north and west sides of the model. (Source author)
Fig 36: showing south and east sides of the model. (Source author)
Fig 37: showing conduction, convection and radiation. (Source internet)
Fig 38: showing the north and west sides of the model. (Source author)
Fig 39: showing the south and east sides of the model. (Source author)
Fig 40: heat load reduction from envelope of ECB. (Source author)

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

India is facing a formidable challenge in meeting its energy needs, as per the planning commissions
integrated energy policy report if India preservers with sustained growth rate of 8 % per annum, its
primary energy supply will need to grow by 3 to 4 times and electricity generation capacity of
800,000mw would be required as against the installed capacity of 160,000 MW inclusive of all captive
plants in 2006-2007. Central electricity authority has estimated that the country is currently facing
electricity shortage of 9.9 % and peak demand shortage of 16.6 %.
The figure below shows continuous widening gap between electricity demand and actual
achievement in the country

Fig.1: electricity generation capacity and achievement in India. (Source USAID INDIA)

While it is essential to add new power generation capacity to meet the nations growing energy
requirements, it is equally important to look out for options that will help in reducing energy demand
for various end use sectors.

Fig 2: electricity consumption in various sectors of India. (Source USAID INDIA)

The figure above shows the electricity consumption in various sectors in India. Domestic and
commercial sectors account for approximately one third of the total electricity consumption and these
sectors are likely to consume around 37 % of electricity in 2020-21. The growth in demand for
electricity in commercial buildings is expected to be 12% annually. The energy used by the building
sector is expected to continue to increase in future as India is building up the infrastructure to catch
up with Developed countries. It is therefore critical to improve energy efficiency in both new as well
as existing buildings
A further breakdown of the energy consumption of residential and commercial sector shows that
lighting and HVAC play a major role in energy consumption

Fig 3: further breakdown of energy consumption of residential and commercial sector. (Source USAID
INDIA)

Energy consumption in the commercial building sector will continue to increase until buildings can be
designed to produce enough energy to offset the growing energy demand of these buildings. Around
the world there are many initiatives taken to improve the energy performance of the building such as
net zero energy buildings, several countries have adopted this broad vision as long term goal for
developing energy policies and programs related to building sector
In concept, a Net Zero Energy Building is a building with greatly reduced energy needs through
efficiency gains such that the balance of the energy needs can be supplied by renewable
technologies. Despite our use of the phrase zero energy, we lack a common definitionor a
common understandingof what it means. In this paper, I have used a sample of current generation
net zero energy buildings to explore the concept of zero energywhat it means, why a clear and
measurable definition is needed, and how we have progressed toward the ZEB goal.

Defining NET ZERO ENERGY BUILDING (NZEB)

Despite sharing the name "net zero energy", there are several definitions of what the term means in
practice, with a particular difference in usage between North America and Europe.

Zero net site energy use

In this type of ZNE, the amount of energy provided by on-site renewable energy sources is equal to
the amount of energy used by the building. In the United States, net zero energy building generally
refers to this type of building.

Zero net source energy use

This ZNE generates the same amount of energy as is used, including the energy used to transport the
energy to the building. This type accounts for losses during electricity transmission. These ZNEs must
generate more electricity than zero net site energy buildings.

Net zero energy emissions

Outside the United States and Canada, a ZEB is generally defined as one with zero net energy
emissions, also known as a zero carbon building or zero emissions building. Under this definition the
carbon generated from on-site or off-site fossil fuel use are balanced by the amount of on-site
renewable energy production. Other definitions include not only the carbon emissions generated by
the building in use, but also those generated in the construction of the building and the embodied
energy of the structure. Others debate whether the carbon emissions of commuting to and from the
building should also be included in the calculation.

Net zero cost

In this type of building, the cost of purchasing energy is balanced by income from sales of electricity to
the grid of electricity generated on-site. Such a status depends on how a utility credits net electricity
generation and the utility rate structure the building uses.

Net off-site zero energy use

A building may be considered a ZEB if 100% of the energy it purchases comes from renewable energy
sources, even if the energy is generated off the site.

Off-the-grid
Off-the-grid buildings are stand-alone ZEBs that are not connected to an off-site energy utility facility.
They require distributed renewable energy generation and energy storage capability (for when the
sun is not shining, wind is not blowing, etc.). An energy autarkic house is a building concept where the
balance of the own energy consumption and production can be made on an hourly or even smaller
basis. Energy autarkic houses can be taken off-the-grid.

Defining it in Indian context

Net Zero Energy - when applied to a home or commercial building, simply means that they generate
as much power and energy as they consume, when measured on a monthly or annual basis.
A Net Zero Energy Building produces as much energy as it uses over the course of a year. Net Zero
Energy Buildings are very energy efficient. The remaining low energy needs are typically met with onsite renewable energy.
Net Zero Energy buildings can be independent from the energy grid supply. Energy can be harvested
on-siteusually through a combination of energy producing technologies like Solar and Windwhile
reducing the overall use of energy with extremely efficient envelope, HVAC and Lighting technologies.

Parameters taken into consideration while designing NZEB

The planned design of a NZEB requires the architects understanding of the effects of design decision
on energy performance. Architects can achieve energy efficiency in a building by studying the macro
and microclimate of the site, applying bioclimatic architectural principles to combat the adverse
conditions and taking advantage of the desirable conditions. A few common design elements that
directly or indirectly affect comfort conditions and there by the energy consumptions in a building are
listed below:
Orientation

Building

envelope

and

fenestration Plan form

Ratio of built form to

open spaces Landscaping

However, in extreme conditions one cannot achieve comfortable indoor conditions by these design
considerations alone. There are certain tested and established concepts, which, if applied to a design
in such climatic conditions, are able to largely satisfy the thermal comfort criterion. These are
classified as advanced passive solar techniques. The two broad categories of advanced concepts are
(1) passive heating concepts (direct gain system, indirect gain system, sunspaces etc.) And (2) passive
cooling concepts (evaporative cooling, ventilation, wind tower, earth air tunnel etc).
The effectiveness of widows as passive solar collector is limited by the area of glass that can face the
sun and the efficiency of heat transfer into interior walls and floors or other high mass materials.
Similarly the efficiency of the other solar passive techniques is limited. Therefore, when heating or
cooling needs of a building cannot be met using just passive techniques, the designer must use a life
cycle cost analysis to decide the active systems and there efficiency.
Energy resource efficiency in new constructions can be affected by appointing an integrated approach
to building design. The primary step in this approach is listed below:Incorporate solar passive techniques in a building design to minimize load on conventional
systems (heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting).
Design energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems.
Use renewable energy systems (solar photovoltaic systems / solar water heating systems) to
meet a part of building load.
Use low energy materials and methods of construction and reduce transportation energy

1.2 Hypothesis

BUILDING ENVELOPE DESIGN IS A CRITICAL FACTOR THAT GOVERNS THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF ANY
BUILDING.

1.3 Need for study

For the following reasons the topic of net zero energy buildings becomes so important in todays date
The need for renewable source of energy is getting urgent, hence the development of NZEB is moving
fast. Nationally and internationally various individuals and research companies are creating new and
exciting energy systems.
Depletion of fossil fuels: The first problem is that the fossil fuels are depleting in a rapid rate and are
harder to retrieve. The consequence is that we can be facing an energy crisis in the future if we are
not careful today. The energy prices will sky rocket and not be available for many individuals or
countries. To avoid this doom scenario we need to find alternatives and used them to their full
potential.
Environmental effect: The second problem is that the fossil fuels that are widely used today are
harmful for the environment. In the early seventies and eighties there were people and even scientist
who preach otherwise, but today the negative effects are showing. The earth is warming up and
climates are changing. There are parts in the world were there be more rain and sunshine and others
parts will become dryer then they already are. Another negative effect is that the ozone layer is
getting thinner which also leads to a warming up of the earth. These two effects complement each
other and make it even more crucial to make another step in a different direction. This step will lead
us to the use of renewable energy.
Energy conservation: is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used. It may be achieved
through efficient energy use, in which energy use is decreased while achieving a similar outcome, or
by reduced consumption of energy services. Energy conservation may result in increase of financial
capital, environmental value and human comfort. Individuals and organizations that are direct
consumer of energy may want to conserve energy in order to reduce energy costs and promote
economic security. Industrial and commercial users may want to increase efficiency and thus
maximum profit.
The solution for the above problems can be resolved by NZEB. Our beautiful planet gives us the
opportunity to make proper us of sunlight, flowing water, strong winds, and hot springs and convert
these into energy. These energy sources are abundant and free to use. We must be sure that we
convert the energy the right way, without causing other problems that can again hurt our
environment.

1.4 Aim
To study and understand the concept of NZEB, its methods and techniques
To study the importance of integrated design process for achieving Net Zero Energy Building
Objective
To study passive design principles to minimize energy consumption
To analyse the design parameters using energy modelling and simulations

1.5 Scope
Analyzing the feasibility of Net Zero Energy Buildings in concept
Understanding the constructability of Net Zero Energy Building

Limitation
This document is limited to the designing of NZEB
There are just two net zero energy buildings in India

1.6 Methodology of the study

A few buildings in India and abroad were studied for this dissertation, out of which Eco commercial
building in India was taken up for detailed analysis of the building envelope. For this purpose eQuest,
energy simulation software has been used.
Using this software various parameters of Eco commercial building were changed and its effect on the
heat load from the envelope was studied.

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Net Zero Energy Building

The development of modern zero-energy buildings became possible not only through the progress
made in new construction technologies and techniques, but it has also been significantly improved by
academic research on traditional and experimental buildings, which collected precise energy
performance data. Today's advanced computer models can show the efficacy of engineering design
decisions.
Energy use can be measured in different ways (relating to cost, energy, or carbon emissions) and,
irrespective of the definition used; different views are taken on the relative importance of energy
harvest and energy conservation to achieve a net energy balance. Although zero energy buildings
remain uncommon in developed countries, they are gaining importance and popularity. The zero net
energy approach has potential to reduce carbon emissions, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
A building approaching zero net energy use may be called a "near-zero energy building" or "ultra-low
energy house". Buildings that produce a surplus of energy during a portion of the year may be known
as "energy-plus buildings".
If the building is located in an area that requires heating or cooling throughout parts of the year, it is
easier to achieve zero net energy consumption when the available living space is kept small.
Design and construction
The most cost-effective steps toward a reduction in a building's energy consumption usually occur
during the design process. To achieve efficient energy use, zero energy design departs significantly
from conventional construction practice. Successful zero energy building designers typically combine
time tested passive solar or natural conditioning, principles that work with the onsite assets. Sunlight
and solar heat, prevailing breezes, and the cool of the earth below a building, can provide day lighting
and stable indoor temperatures with minimum mechanical means. ZEBs are normally optimized to
use passive solar and shading, combined with thermal mass to stabilize diurnal temperature
variations throughout the day, and in most climates are super insulated. All the technologies needed
to create zero energy buildings are available off-the-shelf today.
Sophisticated 3D computer simulations tools are available to model how a building will perform with
a range of design variables such as building orientation (relative to the daily and seasonal position of
the sun), window and door type and placement, overhang depth, insulation type and values of the
building elements, air tightness, the efficiency of heating, cooling, lighting and other equipment, as
well as local climate. These simulations help the designers predict how the building will perform
before it is built, and enable them to model the economic and financial implications on building cost
benefit analysis, or even more appropriate - life cycle assessment.

Zero-energy buildings are built with significant energy-saving features. The heating and cooling loads
are lowered by using high-efficiency equipment, added insulation, high-efficiency windows, natural
ventilation, and other techniques. These features vary depending on climate zones in which the
construction occurs. Water heating loads can be lowered by using water conservation fixtures, heat
recovery units on waste water, and by using solar water heating, and high-efficiency water heating
equipment. In addition, day lighting with skylights or solar tubes can provide 100% of daytime
illumination within the home.
Nighttimes illumination is typically done with fluorescent and LED lighting that use 1/3 or less power
than incandescent lights, without adding unwanted heat. And miscellaneous electric loads can be
lessened by choosing efficient appliances and minimizing phantom loads or standby power. Other
techniques to reach net zero (dependent on climate) are Earth sheltered building principles; super
insulation walls using straw-bale construction, Vitruvius built pre-fabricated building panels and roof
elements plus exterior landscaping for seasonal shading.
Zero-energy buildings are often designed to make dual use of energy including white goods; for
example, using refrigerator exhaust to heat domestic water, ventilation air and shower drain heat
exchangers, office machines and computer servers, and body heat to heat the building. These
buildings make use of heat energy that conventional buildings may exhaust outside. They may use
heat recovery ventilation, hot water heat recycling, combined heat and power, and absorption
chillers units.
In short the following parameters are evaluated and optimized in a NZEB design to achieve minimum
air-conditioning load:
Building envelope design.
Climatically responsive Faade concepts
Efficient glazing with balance between low thermal conductivity & shading
coefficient Building structure's thermal mass and insulation materials
Lighting and day lighting controls
Strategies for natural ventilation
Energy recovery opportunities
HVAC system equipment selection at highest full load & part load efficiency points.
Operational strategies

As this dissertation is limited to importance of integrated design process of NET ZERO ENERGY
DUILDING we would concentrate on the designing of the solar passive envelope, which takes into
account the following parameters
Planning site orientation preferably with the longer axis of the buildings to be in eastwest direction, as far as feasible
Designing building fenestration with low window-wall ratio ( preferably less than 40 %
) having lesser windows on south and west
Placement of larger windows on the north side of faade to enhance daylight in the building
Adaptation of horizontal shading devices ( overhangs and louvers ) on windows on south side,
vertical shading devices ( side fins and louvers ) on east and west side of the building facade4
Enhancement of use of natural and cross- ventilation of air within the building
Planting of trees and vegetation around the building, wherever possible to block direct
solar radiation falling on the building.

Fig.4: different climatic zones in India. Source Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC)
All these parameters are a part of climatic responsive architecture. In India different locations within
large areas have very similar climatic characteristics, these can be grouped together to form more or
less accurately defined climatic zone, within which the climatic design requirements for buildings are
generally the same. Thus, the division of the country into different climatic zone is an important
instrument of climatic design.

2. 2 Study of renewable energy sources and their applicability in various regions of India
Concept of renewable energy sources
Renewable energy sources also called non-conventional energy are sources that are continuously
replenished by natural processes. For example, solar energy, wind energy, bio- energy - bio-fuels
grown sustainably), hydropower etc., are some of the examples of renewable energy sources. A
renewable energy system converts the energy found in sunlight, wind, falling-water, sea-waves,
geothermal heat, or biomass into a form, we can use such as heat or electricity. Most of the
renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from sun and wind and can never be exhausted,
and therefore they are called renewable.
However, most of the world's energy sources are derived from conventional sources-fossil fuels such
as coal, oil, and natural gases. These fuels are often termed non-renewable energy sources. Although,
the available quantity of these fuels are extremely large, they are nevertheless finite and so will in
principle run out at some time in the future.
Renewable energy sources are essentially flows of energy, whereas the fossil and nuclear fuels are, in
essence, stocks of energy

Fig 5: electric consumption in an office building. (Source USAID INDIA)2

Various forms of renewable energy

Solar energy
Wind energy
Bio energy
Hydro energy
Geothermal energy
Wave and tidal energy

Out of all the various forms of renewable energy sources only two have potential of commercial
viability India i.e. solar energy and wind energy .

Solar energy
Solar energy is the most readily available and free source of energy since prehistoric times. It is
estimated that solar energy equivalent to over 15,000 times the world's annual commercial energy
consumption reaches the earth every year. India receives solar energy in the region of 5 to 7 kWh/m2
for 300 to 330 days in a year. This energy is sufficient to set up 20 MW solar power plants per square
kilometre land area. Solar energy can be utilised through two different routes, as solar thermal route
and solar electric (solar photovoltaic) routes. Solar thermal route uses the sun's heat to produce hot
water or air, cook food, drying materials etc. Solar photovoltaic uses suns heat to produce electricity
for lighting home and building, running motors, pumps, electric appliances, and lighting.

Fig 5: array of solar panels and PV installed on a roof top. (Source internet)
Solar Photovoltaic (PV): Photovoltaic is the technical term for solar electric. Photo means "light" and
voltaic means "electric". PV cells are usually made of silicon, an element that naturally releases
electrons when exposed to light. Amount of electrons released from silicon cells depend upon
intensity of light incident on it. The silicon cell is covered with a grid of metal that directs the electrons
to flow in a path to create an electric current. This current is guided into a wire that is connected to a
battery or DC appliance. Typically, one cell produces about 1.5 watts of power. Individual cells are
connected together to form a solar panel or module, capable of producing 3 to 110 Watts power.

Panels can be connected together in series and parallel to make a solar array (see Figure), which can
produce any amount of Wattage as space will allow. Modules are usually designed to supply
electricity at 12 Volts. PV modules are rated by their peak Watt output at solar noon on a clear day.
Some applications for PV systems are lighting for commercial buildings, outdoor (street) lighting, rural
and village lighting etc.

Fig 6: solar electric power system. (Source internet)

Solar electric power systems can offer independence from the utility grid and offer protection during
extended power failures. Solar PV systems are found to be economical especially in the hilly and far
flung areas where conventional grid power supply will be expensive to reach. PV tracking systems is
an alternative to the fixed, stationary PV panels. PV tracking systems are mounted and provided with
tracking mechanisms to follow the sun as it moves through the sky. These tracking systems run
entirely on their own power and can increase output by 40%.Back-up systems are necessary since PV
systems only generate electricity when the sun is shining. The two most common methods of backing
up solar electric systems are connecting the system to the utility grid or storing excess electricity in
batteries for use at night or on cloudy days.

Wind Energy

Fig 7: wind mills. (Source internet)

Wind energy is basically harnessing of wind power to produce electricity. The kinetic energy of the
wind is converted to electrical energy. When solar radiation enters the earths atmosphere, different
regions of the atmosphere are heated to different degrees because o earth curvature. This heating is
higher at the equator and lowest at the poles. Since air tends to flow from warmer to cooler regions,
this causes what we call winds, and it is these airflows that are harnessed in windmills and wind
turbines to produce power. Wind power is not a new development as this power, in the form of
traditional windmills -for grinding corn, pumping water, sailing ships have been used for centuries.
Now wind power is harnessed to generate electricity in a larger scale with better technology.
The basic wind energy conversion device is the wind turbine. Today wind energy can be harnesses in
the following ways.
1. Vertical-axis wind turbines, in which the axis of rotation is vertical with respect to the ground (and
roughly perpendicular to the wind stream),
2. Horizontal-axis turbines, in which the axis of rotation is horizontal with respect to the ground (and
roughly parallel to the wind stream.)

Fig 8: Wind Turbine Configuration. (Source internet)

Wind Energy in India

India has been rated as one of the most promising countries for wind power development. Wind
Power Plants in India seen a phenomenal growth of around 33% CAGR in the last 5 years and the total
capacity at end of 2010 was 11800 MW with most of the capacity installed in the state of Tamil Nadu
which is the largest state in terms of Alternative Energy Capacity in India .GWEC has set an ambitious
target of 65 GW for Wind Energy in India by 2020 which means an addition of 5 GW each year which
seems too high given the wind power potential in India is only around 65 GW. However using low
wind speed sites may increase the potential besides the use of India. A number of Wind Turbine
Manufactures in India have set up facilities attracted by the domestic market.
Small wind turbines are designed for individual residential or business use. These turbines are usually
under 15kW and have two or three blades spanning a diameter of about 20-24 feet. They are often
mounted on a guyed monopole, or a freestanding lattice tower ranging in height from about 80 to
120 feet.
Modern turbines are relatively quiet. These turbines offer benefits to individual property owners and
to society as a whole. The Benefits of Small Wind Power
Power generated without pollutants
Diversifies our energy supply
Power is delivered directly without a middleman
Excess power can enter the power grid

Bio Energy
Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from the carbonaceous waste of various human and
natural activities. It is derived from numerous sources, including the by-products from the wood
industry, agricultural crops, raw material from the forest, household wastes etc.
Biomass does not add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as it absorbs the same amount of carbon in
growing as it releases when consumed as a fuel. Its advantage is that it can be used to generate
electricity with the same equipment that is now being used for burning fossil fuels. Biomass is an
important source of energy and the most important fuel worldwide after coal, oil and natural gas. Bioenergy, in the form of biogas, which is derived from biomass, is expected to become one of the key
energy resources for global sustainable development. Biomass offers higher energy efficiency through
form of Biogas than by direct burning.
Bio energy is being used for:
Cooking, mechanical applications, pumping, power generation
Biomass fuels account for about one-third of the total fuel used in the country. It is the most
important fuel used in over 90% of the rural households and about 15% of the urban households.
Using only local resources, namely cattle waste and other organic wastes, energy and manure are
derived. Thus the biogas plants are the cheap sources of energy in rural areas. The types of biogas
plant designs popular are: floating drum type, fixed dome-type and bag-type portable digester.

Hydro Energy
The potential energy of falling water, captured and converted to mechanical energy by waterwheels,
powered the start of the industrial revolution. Wherever sufficient head, or change in elevation, could
be found, rivers and streams were dammed and mills were built. Water under pressure, flows
through a turbine, causing it to spin. The Turbine is connected to a generator, which produces
electricity (see Figure 12.11)

Fig 9: Hydro Power Plant. (Source internet)

Small Hydro Power is a reliable, mature and proven technology. It is non-polluting, and does not
involve setting up of large dams or problems of deforestation, submergence and rehabilitation. India
has an estimated potential of 10,000 MW
Tidal and Ocean Energy

Fig 10: turbines. (Source internet)

Tidal electricity generation involves the construction of a barrage across an estuary to block the
incoming and outgoing tide. The head of water is then used to drive turbines to generate electricity
from the elevated water in the basin as in hydroelectric dams. Barrages can be designed to generate
electricity on the ebb side, or flood side, or both. Tidal range may vary over a wide range (4.5-12.4 m)
from site to site. A tidal range of at least 7 m is required for economical operation and for sufficient
head of water for the turbines.

Ocean Energy

Fig 11: barrage (dam). (Source internet)

Oceans cover more than 70% of Earths surface, making them the worlds largest solar collectors.
Ocean energy draws on the energy of ocean waves, tides, or on the thermal energy (heat) stored in
the ocean. The sun warms the surface water a lot more than the deep ocean water, and this
temperature difference stores thermal energy. The ocean contains two types of energy: thermal
energy from the suns heat, and mechanical energy from the tides and waves. Ocean thermal energy
is used for many applications, including electricity generation. Ocean mechanical energy is quite
different from ocean thermal energy. Even though the sun affects all ocean activity, tides are driven
primarily by the gravitational pull of the moon, and waves are driven primarily by the winds. A
barrage (dam) is typically used to convert tidal energy into electricity by forcing the water through
turbines, activating a generator.

Renewable energy resources for NZEB

Net zero buildings are all about producing on site renewable energy resources and if composite
climatic zone, like Delhi is taken into consideration then only solar energy is effective and has
potential.
But solar technology has its own limitations
Performance
Cost
Performance
The performance of a solar cell is measured in terms of its efficiency at converting sunlight into
electricity. Only sunlight of certain energy will work efficiently to create electricity, and much of it is
reflected or absorbed by the material that makes up the cell. Because of this, a typical commercial
solar cell has an efficiency of 15%only about one-sixth of the sunlight striking the cell generates
electricity. Low efficiencies mean that larger arrays are needed and higher investment costs. It should
be noted that the first solar cells, built in the 1950s, had efficiencies of less than 4%.

Cost
The roof panels for heating water and generating power are unlikely to save enough from bills to
make them financially viable in a householder's lifetime. In the case of solar panels to heat water for
baths and showers, the estimated payback time from money saved from electricity and gas bills will
take more than 100 years and up to 166 years in the worst case.

Hence putting up only solar PV panels does not lead you towards a net zero energy building.

A Net Zero Energy Building is all about reducing your energy consumption as much as possible, making
the building energy efficient and proving the rest of the required energy by on site renewable energy
resources.

2.3 Energy consumption of a building

As already discussed and seen that domestic and commercial sectors account for approximately one
third of the total electricity consumption. To improve our buildings energy efficiency, energy loads
needs to be understood. Energy loads help describe the flow of energy on the site and in the building.
Thermal loads such as heating and cooling come from the external environment (like sun, wind or
weather) and internal operations (like heat generated by people and equipment). These loads need
to be managed to keep the building comfortable. Lighting load is the energy used to power electric
lights and plug load is the amount of electricity used for other equipment like computers. These loads
are determined by the buildings intended use.

Fig 12: types of energy load in a building. (Source internet)

Types of energy loads
External load
Radiation
Conduction
Transmission

Internal load
through roof,
walls and
windows

Occupants
Equipments
Lights

The envelope of the building is one of the main sources of heat gain in a building. The envelope of a
building is comprised of the surfaces that separate the inside from the outdoors. The design and
construction of the envelope of a commercial building can have a significant effect on the buildings
comfort and energy consumption. If we are building a new facility or doing a major renovation to an
existing one, this fact sheet can help us make design decisions that can improve the overall comfort
and energy performance of the building envelope.

A buildings envelope continuously interacts with the outside environment, and its performance has a
strong influence on the indoor environment and comfort conditions. The envelope and the air
conditioning system are closely interrelated, and proper building design can optimize air conditioning
system performance, minimize energy costs and improve comfort. The chart below gives you an idea
of how much each component of the building envelope contributes to the overall cooling load for a
typical office building. This figure indicates that most summer cooling load is due to solar heat gain
through windows, infiltration of outside air, and the internal loads of people, lighting and
miscellaneous equipment.

Fig 13: distribution of heat load. (Source internet)

Reducing solar heat gain through envelope is clearly one of the keys to reducing energy consumption
of buildings..

2.4 Energy modelling and daylight simulations in enhancing integrated design process

Introduction
Architectural energy analysis relies on the use of models which describe the energy performance of
the building. They are representatives of buildings as energy systems and include only those
characteristics and relationships that determine their energy performance.

Quantitative models used in energy analysis are mathematical representatives of complex

thermodynamic or luminous behaviour of buildings. Everything is described numerically: the weather,
the building and its operation and the energy consumed. The behaviour of buildings is simplified in
models. The simulation software offers convenient parametric analysis of energy performance of the
building. Properties of the building or the characteristics of their use are changed by modifying values
which represent them. Long term change can be simulated and analysed in a short time.

The choice of building simulation software depends upon user requirements and the capabilities of
the building simulation program. With the growing trend towards environmental protection, the
design of; energy efficient buildings from the point of view of the building owner as well as the
society will surely gain attention. Computer aided building simulation is important in the study of
energy performance and the design and operation of energy efficient buildings. Building simulation is
one of the key technologies that contribute to the construction of future buildings which will be more
energy efficient, health responsive and environmental friendly. Future development and application
of information technology in the building industry will lead to a completely new building design
philosophy and methodology.

Need and advantages of energy modelling

Determining the energy performance characteristics of individual design elements
Establishing the energy performance of the whole building
Making trade offs
Deciding how to proceed with design
Understanding how different conditions affect the buildings energy performance
Dr. Vladimir Bazjanac, University of California, says
The dynamic action of buildings in the heat exchange process is difficult to predict. Designing to
optimize heat exchange needs approximation, but if we ask the right questions, a computer can help
us find good answers

CHAPTER 3: INTTERNATIONAL CASE STUDIES

3.1 Ideas Z Squared Design Facility, San Jose, CA

Fig 14: concept of Ideas Z Squared Design Facility. (Source internet)

Location: San Jose, CA
Building type(s): Commercial office
Renovation of a 1960 building
6,560 ft2 (609 m2)
Project scope: 2-story building
Urban setting
Completed August 2007
Owner & Occupancy
Owned by David and Stephanie Canada, Individual(s)
Occupants: Corporation, for-profit
Typically occupied by 12 people, 40 hours per person per week
Building Programs
Indoor Spaces: Office, Restrooms, Lobby/reception
Outdoor Spaces: Parking, Patio/hard cape, Drives/roadway, Gardendecorative
Ideas new headquarters building was designed to meet 100% of its net energy requirements using
renewable energy from photovoltaics. The project transformed a commonplace buildinga 60s era
tilt up concrete, buildinginto something extraordinary for our times. It is believed to be the first
commercial building in the United States to be designed to a "Z2" energy efficiency goal; that is, net
zero energy and zero carbon emissions.

The intent of the design was to be a "proof of concept" to demonstrate how thoughtful design and a
full complement of sustainable design techniques can simultaneously achieve ultra high energy
efficiency and high comfort for occupants using current technologies while reaching net zero energy
at an affordable price. The building was fit with a fully integrated, grid-tied, net-metering,
photovoltaic system sized to provide 100% of the net energy requirements, allowing it to make zero
contribution to global warming.

Fig 15: Plan of Ideas Z Squared Design Facility. (Source internet)

Environmental Aspects
The building harvests daylight and uses automatic lighting controls to reduce electric lighting energy
consumption, provides outside views for building occupants, uses occupancy sensors to turn off lights
in unoccupied spaces, uses high efficiency (plug in) office equipment and innovative automatic
controls to minimize plug loads, and provides a high-efficiency HVAC system featuring radiant heating
and cooling in the floor and a ground-source heat pump. Finally, a 30-kW rooftop and shade canopyintegrated photovoltaic system supplies 100% of Ideas electricity needs.
Utilizes electro chromic glass and a photocell on the East windows to automatically reduce
solar gains when the window is exposed to direct sunlight.
Reduces summertime solar heat gain from sliding glass doors on the South faade via
a unique sunshade constructed from laminated glass with integral photovoltaic cells.
Utilizes waterless urinals, dual flush toilets and high efficiency faucets to reduce water.
Reduced parking areas and replaced with drought tolerant landscaping to reduce the
heat island effect.

The final design is composed of a 3,100 ft2 open studio with 18 ft ceilings and a 4,100 ft2 two story
section that will contain leased tenant space and shared service space. Other than the entries on the
east and west sides of the building, the main openings cut into exterior walls are four double width
pivoting glass doors cut into the south side of the concrete tilt-up walls. These will provide views and
a connection to a new landscaped entry courtyard on the south side of the studio. The courtyard
doors can be opened to take advantage of the mild northern California climate to create an
indoor/outdoor work environment.

Fig16: showing envelope design of Ideas Z Squared Design Facility. Source internet
To maximize envelope performance, wall and roof insulation was upgraded to R-30 insulation in the
roof and R-19 in the walls. The exterior walls are 5 in thick tilt up concrete, with wood furring and
gypsum board on the interior, and included no insulation.
Fenestration: All glazing for this project with the exception of the east storefront will use the excellent
new spectrally selective glazing with a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.27 and a visible light
transmission of 0.63. It has the highest light to solar gain ratio available (2.33), to minimize the solar
heat gain accompanying daylight. The U-value is 0.29 winter night-time and 0.27 summer daytime. All
skylights are custom fabricated. Of the 17 skylights, 13 will also incorporate a clear, prismatic, diffuser
below to spread the light.

Fig 17: showing envelope design of Ideas Z Squared Design Facility. (Source internet)

Electro chromic glass: The east storefront window is a test electronically shaded glazing. The
technology used is a ceramic coating on the glass that is electronically tin table using solid-state
controls. The glass can be darkened or lightened using an electrical current creating an effect similar
to photo gray sunglasses. The project takes advantage of this variable tint to reduce direct sunlight
transmittance and the resulting glare during morning hours. It can be darkened reducing
transmittance from 62 % to 3.5 % and reducing solar heat gain coefficient from 0.48 to 0.09. The Uvalue is 0.28. A photocell controlled low voltage controller will reduce transmittance and the
associated glare from direct sunlight. The advantage of using this glass is that unlike traditional blinds
it can block sunlight before it enters a building and has no moving parts so it should be low
maintenance. It allows unobstructed views and daylight on overcast days or after noon due to the
east elevation.
Predesign
The design process began with an initial conceptual design charity including the owner, architect,
structural, mechanical, electrical engineers, and the contractor, to lay out the key goals and
strategies for the project. The architect suggested the design of high efficiency, all electric and nets
zero energy, zero carbon emission Z Squared building.

Fig 18: section of Ideas Z Squared Design Facility. Source internet

Design
The owners decided to pursue the Z Squared energy strategy, and the project was goals were
refocused on energy efficiency and renewable energy as the first priority. The teams approach was to
effectively integrate the architectural, mechanical, and lighting systems to incorporate as many

practical energy measures as possible to maximize the total efficiency. The architect completed an
abbreviated schematic design. The mechanical engineer further developed the mechanical scheme.
Computer models were developed to optimize the day lighting/HVAC/ lighting design during this
phase. The process was lead by the architect and required close coordination with the owner,
electrical and mechanical engineers and the contractor.

Key learning
Daylight can be harvested and automatic lighting controls can be used to reduce electric
lighting energy consumption
Occupancy sensors can be used to turn off lights in unoccupied spaces
To maximize envelope performance, wall and roof can be highly insultaed
A highly efficient HVAC system featuring radiant heating and cooling in the floors can be
provided.

3.2 Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre

Fig19: Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre. Source internet

Location: Kailua-Kona, HI
Building type(s): Other, Assembly, Commercial office, Interpretive
Centre New construction
3,600 ft2 (334 m2)
Urban setting
Completed January 2005
Rating: Zero Energy Building
Owner & Occupancy
Owned and occupied by Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA), State
government
Typically occupied by 4 people, 40 hours per person per week; and 300 visitors per week, 2
hours per visitor per week

Building Programs
Indoor Spaces:

Conference (67%), Office (33%), Public assembly, Restrooms

Outdoor Spaces:

Parking, Restored landscape, Drives/roadway, Patio/hard cape, Interpretive

landscape

The Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre (HGEC) visitor complex, situated on the south coast of Kona on
the Big Island of Hawaii, serves the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELH). It is the first building
to be constructed on a 6.5 acre campus designed to house research, development, and

demonstration facilities for energy and technological fields. The NELH facilities are run by the State of
Hawaii under the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA).
The visitor complex houses administrative office space, restrooms, support areas, and a large multipurpose space that is used for displays, outreach, conferencing, and education. It also includes a small
research laboratory facility. Later on more laboratories will be added to complete the campus.
Environmental Aspects
HGEC is designed as a thermal chimney, capturing heat and creating air movement using only building
form and thermodynamic principles. Outside air is moved through the building at a rate of 10 to 15
air changes per hour without the use of a mechanical system.
The copper roof radiates heat from the sun into a ceiling plenum; the heated air rises and is
exhausted through stacks on the building's north face. As the hot air is exhausted, fresh outside air is
pulled into the occupied space from a vented under floor plenum. Incoming air is drawn across
cooling coils filled with 45F seawater and cooled to 72F. Condensation collected below the seawater
cooling coils is used for flushing toilets and irrigating deep-rooted landscaping.
The building orientation and configuration allow day lighting to eliminate the need for electric lighting
during daylight hours. All glazing is shaded to prevent direct solar gain. The building was designed
with an onsite, 20-kilowatt photovoltaic array. When the building was constructed, this provided
about half of the total energy needed to run the seawater pumps, lights, and other electrical
equipment. A pump adjustment in 2006 means that the photovoltaic system now provides all of the
energy needed on site.

Fig 20: concept of Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre. Source internet

Pre design
The initial request for proposals for the Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre called for a zero-net-energy
facility that would incorporate green building strategies and demonstrate the unique resources and
mission of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA).
In the Predesign phase, the design team established strategies to put the principles into practice and
defined the degree of innovation that NELHA would consider. While making these decisions, the team
shifted from imagining a vague idea of sustainability to targeting state-of-the-art green design.

Fig 21: section of Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre. Source internet

With the support of the client, the architecture and engineering team envisioned a facility that would
merit national while contributing to the local community. The client played an integral part in
planning and imaging sessions and fully supported the team's decision to pursue unconventional
passive design strategies. During the Predesign phase, the client established beneficial partnerships
with the local electric utility (Hawaii Electric Light Company) and land-use planning authority, both of
whom took extraordinary interest in the long-term implications of the renewable energy, energy
distribution, and water conservation technologies that HGEC would demonstrate.
Design
The unconventional design phase utilized a "whole design process," which differed from a "linear
design process" in that the architect and the consultants worked in concert from the beginning,
evolving the design as a team. This approach was critical to the successful integration of the passive
design strategies, including day lighting, induced ventilation, passive cooling, and condensation
irrigation. The project team envisioned designing the building as a thermal chimney to induce

ventilation. The team identified solar radiation as the "engine" that, simply by the laws of
thermodynamics, would move ventilation air without need for electric fans. Cold, deep seawater
available on the site would provide free cooling (except for the pump energy needed to circulate the
seawater through the cooling coils).

Fig 22: elevation of Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre. Source internet

To ensure that the building would function passively as an effective thermal chimney, the team
performed sophisticated computer modelling. This established the building geometry and free area
requirements along the ventilation pathway from the exterior inlets, below-floor plenum, ceiling
plenum, and chimney outlets that were maintained throughout the design. Computer analysis also
verified the effectiveness of day lighting and shading design strategies
A waste management plan and indoor air quality management plan were implemented during
construction. Additionally, site disruption and erosion were minimized. Owner training was included
in the commissioning process. The extensive use of passive design and low-maintenance materials
resulted in minimal maintenance requirements. In 2006, refinements to seawater pump flow and
pressure have resulted in substantial improvements in building performance; the building is now a
net-exporter of energy.

Fig 23: elevation of Hawaii Gateway Energy Centre. Source internet

Key learning
A whole design process, approach was taken into consideration during the design phase.
The whole building is designed as a thermal chimney, capturing heat and creating air
movement using only building form and thermodynamic principles.
The building orientation and configuration allow day lighting to eliminate the need for electric
lighting during daylight hours.
The building functioned passively as an effective thermal chimney .
A waste management plan and indoor air quality management plan were implemented
during construction.

3.3 Aldo Leopold Legacy Centre

Fig 24: Aldo Leopold Legacy Centre

Location: Baraboo, WI
Climate Region: 6A: Cold - Humid
Building type(s): Interpretive Centre, Commercial
office New construction
11,900 ft2 (1,100 m2)
Project scope: 3 1-story buildings
Rural setting
Completed April 2007
Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2/v.2.1--Level: Platinum (61 points)
Rating: Zero Energy Building
Owner & Occupancy
Owned and occupied by The Aldo Leopold Foundation, Inc., Corporation, non profit
Typically occupied by 12 people, 40 hours per person per week; and 85 visitors per week, 5
hours per visitor per week

Aldo Leopold's "Land Ethic" set the stage for the modern conservation movement. Leopold's philosophy
included the belief that the idea of community should be enlarged to include, in his words, "collectively:
the land." This includes nonhuman elements such as soils, waters, plants, and animals.

The headquarters for the Aldo Leopold Foundation, the Legacy Centre includes office and meeting
spaces, an interpretive hall, an archive, and a workshop organized around a central courtyard. Built
where Leopold died fighting a brush fire in 1948, the Legacy Centre also provides a trailhead to the
original Leopold Shack.

Environmental Aspects
The Foundation located the project on a previously disturbed site, which it is restoring to native
ecosystems. The project team used crushed gravel in place of blacktop or concrete paving, increasing
rainwater infiltration and blending the developed areas into the surrounding landscape. The native
landscaping requires no irrigation. Waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, and efficient faucets reduce
water consumption by 65%. An on-site well provides potable water, and an existing septic system
treats wastewater. Thinning the Leopold forests improved forest health while providing 90,000 board
feet of wood for use in the project. More than 75% of all wood used in the project was certified to
Forest Stewardship Council standards, and 60% of all materials were manufactured within 500 miles
of the project site.
The Legacy Centre was designed to use 70% less energy than a comparable conventional building. A
39.6-kW rooftop photovoltaic array produces more than 110% of the project's annual electricity
needs. This excess renewable energy, along with on-site carbon sequestration, offsets the
greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the project's operations. Day lighting eliminates the need
for electric lighting during most of the day. Ground-source heat pumps connected to a radiant slab
provide heating and cooling, and an earth-tube system provides tempered fresh air.

Fig 25: Section through Aldo Leopold Legacy Centre. Source internet
The ambitious nature of this effort required the project team to rethink traditional approaches to
design and construction. In typical projects, the architect typically designs without regard to the
availability of materials or the impact of their use. Building plans are drawn in isolation, and then a list
of component partsstructural elements, flooring, walls, and roofingare ordered from a factory

somewhere and delivered to the construction site for assembly. In its traditional form, architectural
design is a linear process with little regard for constraints other than economics or style.
For this project, the team chose another path. The decision to harvest trees planted by the Leopold
family presented a complex and inverted design challenge. To put the finite quantity of this precious
resource to the best use, the design team had to work backward, matching the building to the
available resources. The use of Leopold wood is the most visible, and perhaps the most symbolic, of
the team's efforts to design within the resources available on site, including sun, earth, and water. The
result was a design process that fully considered the true ecological costs of the materials and
resources used for construction as well as those that would be required to operate the building.
Pre design
The goal for this project was to demonstrate how human activity, the built environment, and the
natural world are intertwined in a larger cycle of energy and life. Perhaps the most lasting
achievement of the Legacy Centre will be its strict adherence to a holistic design process consistent
with Leopold's understanding of ecological systems, a process that offers the promise of shared
benefit for both human inhabitants and the land.

Fig 26: Aldo Leopold Legacy Centre. Source internet

At the project outset, Aldo Leopolds daughter Nina expressed her desire for a facility that would
introduce visitors to a particular quality of understanding. To illustrate her meaning, she described
the typical tourist centre, which briefly entertains visitors in a high-volume, low-intensity
experience. Nina's vision, in contrast, was to encourage a low-volume, high-intensity experience.
She wanted to create a place that would engage visitors more deeply a place that would afford each
individual the means to fully consider what Leopold described as the Land Ethic.
Design
The design team balanced new technologies with time-tested strategies. By relying too much on
technology, architecture risks losing historic knowledge about how to create comfortable, durable
buildings with low-tech, low-energybut highly intelligentsolutions developed over generations.
The Legacy Centre was designed to combine both approaches in a beautiful and functional space.
From the start of the schematic design phase through construction, project-team meetings included

the environmental consultant, energy-simulation consultant, commissioning agent, and controlsystem consultant.

Key learnings
The demonstrated how human activity, the built environment, and the natural world are
intertwined in a larger cycle of energy and life.
Crushed gravel in place of blacktop or concrete paving, increasing rainwater infiltration and
blending the developed areas into the surrounding landscape.
Ground-source heat pumps connected to a radiant slab provide heating and cooling, and an
earth-tube system provides tempered fresh air.
Matching the building to the available resources.

CHAPTER 4: INDIAN CASE STUDIES

4.1 Shunya: the first net zero house in India

Fig 27: Shunya. Source internet

Location: Sector 107, Noida.
India Building type: Residential
New construction, started in October
2010 800 sq ft
Project scope: 1-story building
Urban setting
Completed : Feb. 2011
Owner & Occupancy
Owned by 3C Company ( they are also the
developers) Architect : D&D
Consultants : Spectral Sustainability Group
Building Programs
Indoor Spaces:

Living room , bedroom , kitchen toilet

Outdoor Spaces: Patio/hard cape, porch , Gardendecorative

A Net-Zero Energy Home works on the principle of utilizing maximum renewable energy, and is
independent of any electricity grid, and conserves the energy that it consumes.

The model home is the first-of-its-kind energy-efficient residential structure that is enriched with
green architectural excellence, the fruitful endeavour by 3C, which is dedicated to addressing global
issues of climate change, shrinking supplies of fossil fuels and other natural resources. The 24 solar
panels generating 3KWH energy is sufficient to run the house on its own making it energy selfsufficient. The house consumes 80-90% lesser energy to run as compared to a conventional house,
the model home project promises to cut water use by 40% percent.
The model house has been developed by 3C in just 25 days using redundant cargo containers. While
planning and designing such a house, the focus was on to cut down on energy consumption by using
eco friendly and recyclable materials. The model house has been developed in an area of 800 sq ft,
which includes a drawing and study room.
The average power consumption of a normal house 10 watts per sq foot but in this house they have
managed to bring it down by over 85 % to just 1.36 watt. They have set up 24 solar panels the
capacity of which is 3 KW. It also has a battery for storage power.

Fig 28: section through Shunya. Source article in Buildotech march 2011
There is sufficient ventilation in the house. There is a small courtyard, where plants that require less
water have been planted and a small water body has been set up. The place is shaded and when the
wind blows and touches the water body, local evaporation takes place which cools the surrounding
area including the walls, and reduces the transmission of heat inside the house.
There are insulation panels inside the wall and the door and the windows are glazed with double
insulated glass, which also reduce the heat gain inside the house tremendously. As the heat gain is
very little, a small amount of power is required to run the air conditioner. In a normal 800 sq feet
house a five ton air conditioner is required. But in this only, a one ton ac is effective.
The paint used in the house is harmless (water based paint). The furniture is made of cane. Some old
furniture has been redesigned and refurbished. The wall paper is of bamboo skin and some flooring
has also been done using bamboo. The idea behind using a lot of bamboo is that it is easily available
and grows very fast.
Shunya is about giving back to nature what it gives us, without a single element of harming or
polluting the ecosystem in which we live. It illustrates that how a common man can contribute in
reducing the carbon foot print without compromising on the comforts and the aesthetics one aspires
in a home. The future seems to belong to renewable sources of energy like the sun and the wind.

Fig 29: model of shunya. Source article in Buildotech march 2011

Shunya is self sufficient in terms of its electricity requirements. An array of solar panels on its roof top
is designed to generate electricity equivalent to its annual electricity demand. As these solar panels
are costly and require significant area for installation, it is essential to reduce the electricity demand
of the house to subsequently reduce the solar panel requirement.
In a study conducted by Baderia and Khandelwal it was seen that the HVAC load of Shunya can be
reduced from a conventional building by 71% by using proper orientation for the building and proper
optimization of roof, walls and glass

Fig 30: Breakdown of HVAC load

For the purpose of analysis, the project has been modelled in simulation software like eQuest. The
graph shown presents the envelope optimization studies. The simulation model was run
parametrically with incremental improvement in envelope parameters and their impact on envelope

load reduction was evaluated. The graph lists the strategies used for optimizing the building envelope
and the percentage heat load reduction corresponding to each strategy.
For the purpose of comparison, the building with longer axis orientated north/south is considered as
the base model which has the following envelope parameters:
Roof: 0.088 Btu/hr.ft2 F
Wall: 0.194 Btu/hr.ft2 F
Glass: U-value : 0.581a
Shading coefficient : 0.348
Shading devices : none

Fig 31: heat load reduction from envelope in shunya. Source article in Buildotech march 2011
As per the above shown graph the heat load from envelope reduces: 5% to 71% by changing the
orientation of the building (keeping the longer axis east/west oriented), optimization of roof,
optimization of walls, placing high performance windows and frames and placing shading devices
respectively.
The study suggests the benefits of careful envelope designing and that thermal comfort can also be
achieved by natural ventilation. The case study of Shunya has shown various steps involved in
reducing heat gain through building envelope. This reduction results in lower HVAC loads, thus a
smaller energy efficient HVAC is able to cater to the cooling/heating need of the house. As the system
size decreases, the initial investments are reduced.

Key learning
Use of eco friendly and recyclable materials
By placing a small water body and wind passing through it , local evaporation takes place
which cools the surrounding area including the walls, and reduces the transmission of heat
inside the house.
There are insulation panels inside the wall and the door and the windows are glazed with
double insulated glass, which also reduce heat gain inside the house tremendously.
The heat gain being very little , a small amount of power is required to run the air conditioner
. this reduces the load on HVAC
Plants with less water requirement have been planted.

4.2 Eco Commercial Building, Greater Noida

Fig 32: Eco Commercial Building. Source author

Location: Sector 107, Noida.
India Building type: Commercial
Construction
type
:
New
construction Area : 9600 sq ft
Project scope: 2-story building
Urban setting
Completed : Jan 2011

Owner & Occupancy

Owned

by

BAYER

Material

Science Architect : Sankalpan

Consultants : Spectral Sustainability Group
Building Programs
Indoor Spaces: Lounge, Work stations ,Cabins, Meeting rooms, toilets and plant room
Outdoor Spaces: Patio/hard cape, porch , Gardendecorative

Adapting a building to the climate is better than adapting the climate to a building. This would be an
apt slogan for Bayer Material Sciences Eco Commercial Building initiative. It reflects the principle of
bringing together the best materials, systems and technologies in order to construct a building to suit
the climatic conditions at the site in question.

In January 2011 Bayer has opened its first net zero energy office building in Asia. It draws 100 percent
of its electricity from a photovoltaic plant and needs some 50 percent less power than comparable
buildings in the region. Its a proud new benchmark in India that employs the latest technologies and
simulation tools to provide a peek into future building.
This project has bought India into the league of countries that can boast of net zero energy building.
These kinds of innovative design features and demonstrative future technologies set the stage for
going beyond green buildings.

Fig 33:57kW photovoltaic system and display screen showing the daily energy produced, energy
consumption, energy saved and total carbon footprint. Source author
Some of the highlights of ECB
Its the first net zero energy building in India and south east Asia
It has a saving of 41% in primary energy utilization ( compared to a standard building in India)
through high performance heat insulation, improved protection against sunlight and the use
of further energy saving technologies associated with the electrical power supply
system/building management system.
100% solar and thus emission free on site renewable energy generation through the use of a
57 kW photovoltaic system spread over a total surface area of approximately 492 m

Fig 34: model of ECB. Source author

24-hour autonomous operation of the building , independent of the electric grid through the
use of a battery back up
Employing chilled beams for convective cooling thereby eliminating fan energy from the
system.
Zero water discharge whereby the entire sewage generated on site is recycled and treated
water is used for make up in cooling towers, flushing and landscaping.
Zero heating energy requirement (despite low ambient conditions in winter) and thus no
need for a heating system.
The project with the help on site photovoltaic electricity generation saves 100% in energy
cost over the LEED mandated ASHRAE 90.1-2002 baseline
The project aim included achieving maximum points under LEED India rating system and be
counted amongst the greenest in world.

CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

5.1 Simulation model description and parameters
We know that in a similar internal load dominated building; carefully selected fenestration designs
have the potential to reduce the lighting and HVAC costs. To explore this potential, evaluation of a
building envelope design was carried out to analyze its effect on cooling loads and day lighting. The
exercise has been carried out in the same manner as it was done for Shunya. The parameters taking
into consideration for this purpose are
Roof
Walls
Windows and
Shading devices
For the purpose of evaluation the building has been modelled in eQuest. It is simulation software
which helps in evaluating the energy performance of the building through simulating and accounts for
the many energy related components. The goal of eQuest is to accurately predict the energy use of a
building to either test the energy performance of the building with regards to an established
standard, or to compare and contrast two buildings in order to find the resulting energy savings.
Detailed energy inputs have been specified below and the zoning of the building is shown
GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

DETAILED ENERGY MODEL INPUTS

EXTERIOR LOADS
Type 1 ( north and east side )
U value = 0.039
Exterior walls

U value
Type 2 ( south and west side )
U- value = 0.016

Roof

U- value

U value = 0.029

WINDOWS
Wall window ratio

30 %

Frame U-value

U-value = 1.8

U-value

U-value =0.31

SC

0.31

Glazing

TYPE 1 : 40 %
VLT %
TYPE 2 : 50 %
OTHER LOADS
Exterior lighting

kW

3.74

STP Loads (kW)

25

Plumbing loads(kW)

3.75

Process load

INTERNAL LOADS
LPD

Office(W/sqft)

0.67

EPD

Office(W/sqft)

0.8

Occupancy

Sqft/person

65

Fresh air

Cfm/person

11

Occupancy schedule: 7 am to 7pm (Saturday and Sundays off)

Building areas
Floor

Conditioned spaces(sqft)

Gross built up area (sqft)

Ground floor

3,825

5,207

First floor

3,326

4,293

total

7,151

9,500

5.2: From a conventional building to ECB

For the purpose of comparison, the conventional building is considered as the base model which has
the following envelope parameters as per ASHRAE:
Roof: 0.063 Btu/hr.ft2 F
Wall: 0.124 Btu/hr.ft2 F
Glass: U-value : 1.22
Shading coefficient : 0.29
Shading devices : none

Fig 35: showing north and west sides of the model. Source author

Fig 36: showing south and east sides of the model. Source author

Roof and walls are major sources of heat gain in any building

Fig 37: showing conduction, convection and radiation. Source internet

Roof and wall

Roof and walls are major sources of heat gain in any building. In ECB the roof is made up of 75 mm fly
ash brick and is insulated with 75mm thick PUF insulation. This insulation is then covered by 50mm
thick mineral wood.

The total U-value of roof is 0.029

Optimization of roof reduces heat load up to 9.59%

In ECB two types of walls have been used .Wall type 1 for north and east sides and wall type 2 for
south and west sides
Wall type 1
300mm thick fly ash masonry has been used for the construction of these walls. For insulation
80mm thick PIR insulation has been used. On the exteriors 25mm thick Kota stone is used.
Wall type 2
150mm thick fly ash masonry has been used for construction of these walls. For insulation 150
mm thick PIR insulation has been used. On the exteriors 25mm thick Kota stone has been used
The total U-value of wall type one is 0.039 and wall type two is 0.016
Optimization of wall reduces heat load up to 20.47%

Fig 38: showing the north and west sides of the model. Source author

Fig 39: showing the south and east sides of the model. Source author

Window assembly
The wall window ratio for ECB has been optimized with respect to both lower energy consumption as
well as proper daylight quality. The building has a WWR of 30 %. Along with optimization of WWR, for
further reduction in heat load especially solar heat loads, proper selection of window assembly is
equally important. Heat flow into and out of the building can be reduced by incorporating a high
performance window assembly which subsequently reduces the need for cooling and heating and
allows high levels of natural light into the space. High performance window assemblies of double
glazed unit and aluminium frame with the following specifications have been used in shunya:
U value: 0.31 btu/hr ft2 f
Shading coefficient: 0.31
Visible light transmission: 49% and 50% respectively
This results in 40.38 % reduction in heat load from the base model.
Shading devices
Solar shading devices should be designed such that they block the summer sun completely while
allowing the winter sun into the building. Shading has been provided in with the help of roof
overhangs. Heat load from envelope can be reduced to 42% by the use of shading devices.
From roof, wall, window and shading device optimization we have heat load reduction of 9.6%,
20.47%, 40.38% and 42% respectively

Fig 40: heat load reduction from envelope of ECB. Source author

It has been observed that from base design case to optimized design case, percentage reduction in
heat load through envelope is about 42%.

CHAPTER 6- CONCLUSIONS

Building envelope optimization is the most crucial step towards HVAC load reduction.
The case study of ECB has shown various steps involved in reducing heat gain through building
envelope. This reduction results in lower HVAC load, thus a smaller energy efficient HVAC is able to
cater to the cooling/heating need of the office. As the system size decreases, the initial investments
are reduced. In addition, due to an optimized envelope and energy efficient system the electricity bills
are lowered resulting in a cost effective HVAC system.
The path to NZEB can be defined
This kind of analysis should be done after the design has been conceived for a building in order to
achieve maximum benefit. Buildings already constructed can be retrofitted with other materials or
construction details after their simulation is done but this shall not reap as good results as it would
have before the construction. It is also well known, that this kind of energy efficient buildings have a
higher initial cost but their cost is well recovered in a short period of time.

BIBLOGRAPHY
USAID ECO-III PROJECT : www.eco3.org
Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) www.eco3.org/ecbc
Renewable energy sources www.geni.org/globalenergy/.../energytrends/.../renewable
Case study http://zeb.buildinggreen.com/
Shunya the3c.in/emailer/netzero/index.html
Cool down cost effectiveness in HVAC by Nishita and Ankur, Buildotech march
2011 Eco commercial building http://www.materialscience.bayer.com/