R.

Nishanth
K. Vigneswaran
A zero net energy building is a popular term to
describe a building's use with zero net energy
consumption and zero carbon emissions
annually. ZNE buildings can be used
autonomously from the energy grid supply –
energy can be harvested on-site usually in
combination with energy producing technologies
like Solar and Wind while reducing the overall
use of energy with extremely efficient HVAC and
Lighting technologies.
 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.
There are several definitions of what ZNE means in
practice.

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.

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. These
ZNEs must generate more electricity than Zero
Net site energy buildings.

Net zero energy emissions

The carbon emissions generated from on-site or
off-site fossil fuel use are balanced by the
amount of on-site renewable energy production.
Includes not only the carbon emissions
generated by the building in use, but also those
Net zero cost
The cost of purchasing energy is balanced by income from sales of
electricity to the grid of electricity generated on-site. 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.
 Design The most cost-effective steps toward
a reduction in a building's energy
consumption usually occurs during
and the design process. To achieve
Construction 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 on site assets.
Sunlight and solar heat, prevailing breezes, and the cool of the earth below a
building, can provide daylighting and stable indoor temperatures with
minimum mechanical means. ZEBs are normally optimized to use passive
solar heat gain and shading, combined with thermal mass to stabilize diurnal
temperature variations throughout the day, and in most climates are super
insulated.
A •isolation for building owners from future energy price
increases
D •increased comfort due to more-uniform interior temperatures
•reduced requirement for energy austerity
V •reduced total cost of ownership due to improved energy
efficiency
A •reduced total net monthly cost of living
•improved reliability - photovoltaic systems have 25-year
N warranties
•extra cost is minimized for new construction compared to an
T afterthought retrofit
•higher resale value as potential owners demand more ZEBs
A
than available supply
G •the value of a ZEB building relative to similar conventional
building should increase every time energy costs increase
E •future legislative restrictions, and carbon emission
taxes/penalties may force expensive retrofits to inefficient
S buildings
 •initial costs can be higher
D •very few designers or builders have the necessary skills or
I experience to build ZEBs
•possible declines in future utility company renewable energy
S costs may lessen the value of capital invested in energy
A efficiency
D •new photovoltaic solar cells equipment technology price has been
V falling at roughly 17% per year. Current subsidies will be
phased out as photovoltaic mass production lowers future price
A •challenge to recover higher initial costs on resale of building
N •climate-specific design may limit future ability to respond to
T rising-or-falling ambient temperatures
A •without an optimized thermal envelope the embodied energy,
heating and cooling energy and resource usage is higher than
G needed. ZEB do not mandate a minimum heating and cooling
E performance level thus allowing oversized renewable energy
S systems to fill the energy gap.
•The solar energy capture cannot be optimized in South facing
shade or wooded surroundings.
The goal of green building and sustainable architecture is to use
resources more efficiently and reduce a building's negative impact
on the environment. ZE buildings achieve one key green-building
goal of completely or very significantly reducing energy use
and greenhouse gas emissions for the life of the building. ZE
buildings may or may not be considered "green" in all areas, such as
reducing waste, using recycled building materials, etc. However, ZE
buildings do tend to have a much lower ecological impact over the life
of the building compared with other 'green' buildings that require
imported energy and/or fossil fuel to be habitable and meet the needs
of occupants.
 Zero Energy Solar Powered Building in India
This futuristic
building in South
India provides a
healthy and
comfortable indoor
environment which
consumes about
60% less energy
than other homes –
and it receives the
remaining 40% of
its energy load from solar power. Called
the Zero Energy Space, the building
has triple-glazed UPVC windows,
engineered bamboo flooring, an energy-
efficient cooling system, and many
more eco features.
 Sustainable Features
Photovoltaic by team sustain:
The sun is a strong power-generator. To convert the sun's energy to electricity
the building accommodates photo-voltaic panels on the rooftop. Through the use
of an inverter and a battery storage the uninterrupted power-supply can be
guaranteed. The building is completely independent from the electricity grid.

Aluplast Windows:
High performance double glazed units and energy saving UPVC frames
contribute towards lower energy consumption and reduced sound
transmission. This German product saves energy by reducing infiltration
and the frames are provided with thermal breaks to prevent heat ingress.
 Sustainable Features
Breezair fresh air:

Air conditioning consumes a major part of the

energy consumed by a building. The Breezair
system works through an evaporative cooling
cycle and consumes 1/10 of the energy of a
conventional air conditioning device additional
to 100% fresh air ventilation.

Nippon Paints:

LOW-VOC Paints are used on the interiors to create a healthy indoor

environment and avoid toxins which could lead to respiratory problems of
occupants. Solar Reflective Paint on the outer skin reflect s sunlight and
reduces the solar heat gain through the envelope, thus reducing the energy
consumption.
 Supreme Insuboard & Beardsell:
Insulation of wall and roof is a vital part of a building's envelope, to
prevent the transfer of heat in either direction. This product reduces
heat ingress through walls/roof and hence cuts down energy
consumption for air conditioning. Insuboard offers one the highest
insulation values for XPS insulation.

Sustainable
Features

Roca Bathroom:
Water is one of the most precious resources on earth. Water efficient
fixtures for toilets and taps reduce the fresh water consumption in a
building and also contribute towards points in the LEED rating
system.
 Sustainable Features

Everest Fiber Cement Boards:

The drywall construction with fiber cement

boards creates a strong, lightweight, water
resistant and energy-efficient building
envelope which is also suitable for a variety
of finishes. The recycled content of the
boards is 55%.

Surabhi Bamboo:

Bamboo is one of the most sustainable building materials as it grows

rapidly and can be harvested in a much shorter time than hardwoods. With
the help of modern production techniques bamboo is transformed in to an
excellent material for flooring, furniture and other interior design elements.
 The Zero Energy Home in Pune
The farmhouse makes a
strong green statement in
the idyllic village of
Kamshet. Even though the
organic architecture of the
house blends it into the
village fabric, one cannot
miss the house on the
KamshetUksan road.
Elements like a heap of
thatch in the fields, the
evergreen bullock cart, an
arrangement of cow dung cakes left to dry, the classic aangan which doubles up
the indoor space,the konade (niche) adding utility to a wall were subconsciously
integrated into the design of the house. The organic arrangement of the built
masses creates interesting un-built spaces. The roof concept was crystallized first
which was inspired from the mushroom outcrops seen on site during the first
visit. Frescoes painted by the artist herself decorate the interior of the shell roof.
 The site is surrounded by hills and the rain water of the entire catchment passes
though a channel which divides the plot in two. The rustic looking house sits on
both the banks of the nalla (stream). On one side is the main house with living,
dining, kitchen and two bedrooms with the courtyard. The toilet too has its own
private court. All the spaces are free flowing resembling the water flow. The
bedrooms are cantilevered on corbelled connoides into the stream. The floor is
punctured to get the view of the flowing water. The courtyard of the hobby room
acts as a gateway to the other side of the plot giving identity to the space.

The house is linear, to enjoy the view of the rolling hills, the beautiful water
body and nature in abundance, and to enjoy the cool breeze blowing over the
farm and the water body.
The house experiences a 12 degree
temperature difference between the indoors
and outdoors. Indoor thermal comfort can
be achieved even if the outdoor temperature
varies to a great extent
by using passive design strategies.

The house is a trendsetting example of

capacity building at grass root level. All
the techniques used are executed by local
craftsmen as we believe that not only
sustainable buildings should be built, but
it is also necessary to build sustainable
communities
TZED (Towards Zero Energy Development) in Banglore

TZED (Towards Zero Energy Development)

that located in Banglore, India, was
designed by Space Matrix Design
Consultants Pvt Ltd . TZED (Towards
Zero Energy Development), a LEED
Platinum-rated residential enclave, is a
picture perfect ensemble of time, space,
contemporary thoughts, revolutionary
technology and the best of architectural
values. The manifestation of this idea is
communicated through spatial tools – be it
the sequence of organization, form and
scale of elements of space making or
surface articulation.
The linear site made it necessary that
the main road runs along the centre of
the site, connecting and networking the
campus activities like a central spine.
The clubhouse, apartments and homes
are bound by this activity corridor. The
primary criteria for construction
materials are based on the three R’s –
Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. This
predetermines that the building
materials after their end of use are back
in the loop to be recycled and reused.
While the mechanical systems such as
the AC, refrigerator have been custom
built to be CFC free, the two precious
resources – water and energy – have been
conserved and reused in every action.
Thus being the first residential LEED
platinum project in India, it is iconic in
it’s achievements and approach.