RESEARCH CHEKLIST

1. Review of Related Literature (RRL)

1.1 The RRL includes the Introduction, Related Readings, Related Literature, Related
Studies, Synthesis and Justification, and concludes with Theoretical Framework.
1.2 The RRL should be written using the APA format, the paragraph discussion must not
start with the author’s surname or given name.

Introduction:
1.3 The Introduction includes the overview of the entire RRL
1.4 The Introduction summarizes the Related Readings, Related Literature, Related
Studies, Synthesis and Justification, and the Theoretical Framework.

Related Readings:
1.5 The Related Readings includes the legal basis of the study.
1.6 The Related Readings includes the direct and indirect implication of the research to
the government thrusts.
1.7 The Related Readings includes implementing laws and government directives such
as memoranda, orders, and circulars.

Related Literature:
1.8 In the Related Literature, the sources are taken from books, journals (e.g: Science
Direct and Scopus Journals), and online data base.
1.9 The Related Literature includes substantial figures, tables and diagrams.
1.10 The discussion in the Related Literature should be arranged/presented based on
the keywords as it appears in the SOP.

Related Studies:
1.11 In the Related Studies, the sources are taken from published research studies in
a reputable journal publication as indexed in Scopus or Google Scholar.
1.12 The references in the Related Studies have to be within five (5) years of
publication.
1.13 The discussion in the Related Studies should be arranged/presented based on
the keywords as it appears in the SOP.

Synthesis and Justification:

1.14 The Synthesis and Justification includes short summary of the entire review of
related literature and review of related studies.
1.15 The Synthesis and Justification includes justification of the current research as to
the similarities and dissimilarities of the previous research studies that were
conducted previously.
 1.16 The Synthesis and Justification determines the research gap of the previous
studies that will be addressed in the current study.
1.17 The Synthesis and Justification identifies how the recommendations in the
previous studies conducted has been addressed in the current research.

Theoretical Framework:
1.18 The Theoretical Framework is written in paragraph form.
1.19 The Theoretical Framework includes the theoretical and conceptual explanation
of the keywords as reviewed in the related literature and related studies.
1.20 The Theoretical Framework includes the various theories that will served as a
springboard of the research.

Matrix of Related Literature and Matrix of Related Studies:

1.21 The RRL must be presented in the proposal defense using Matrix of Related
Studies, and Matrix of Related Literature.
1.22 The keywords are arranged in columns in a similar way that was arranged in the
Related Literature and Related Studies (Keywords appearance).
1.23 The matrix summarizes the important discussion of Related Literature and
Related Studies.
1.24 The discussion should not be lengthy paragraphs. It summarizes the important
discussion of Related Literature and Related Studies.
1.25 The last row of the matrix should be the author as to how he/she used the
keywords in his study
1.26 The last row when all combined will be the theoretical framework

Sample Summary Table

Aims Methods Significa Recommendation

nt
Findings
Source 1 This study The 1 The impact of cost
Optimal design of renewable energy aims to optimization is assumptions
solution sets for net zero energy optimize, carried out including energy
buildings investigate using a multi- prices, investment
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.05.0 and criteria and maintenance
13 compare six decision costs, discount rate,
renewable making renewable energy
energy methodology. technologies
solution The lifetime, and
sets for implemented calculation periods
designing methodology is on the
Net-zero composed of economic optimality
energy two phases. In and benefits of
buildings the first phase, NZEBs.
(NZEBs) in the 2 The influence of
three optimal sizes of uncertainty
different solution sets in
 climates: each climate quantification on
Indore are derived and optimal design of
(cooling analyzed. The NZEB for the
dominant), effectiveness of adopted evaluation
Tromso optimal criteria. In order to
(heating solution sets is guarantee a
dominant), evaluated with commercially
and Beijing respect to feasible design, it is
(mixed economy, essential to provide
climate). environment, reliable
energy and grid confidence limits for
stress. In the the optimal NZEB
second characteristics in
phase, the
recommendati early design stage
ons for each and not just annual
region are simulations for
offered nominal
according to conditions.
the overall 3 Retrofitting of
performance existing buildings
evaluation towards NZEB
results. The performance
evaluation from economic,
criteria include environmental, and
life cycle cost, stress on the
payback existing energy
period, grid perspectives.
levelized cost Since the number of
of energy, existing buildings is
CO2eq more significant
emissions, grid than new ones,
interaction more concern
index, load should be
matching index, emphasized on the
and total strategies and
energy technologies to
consumption. convert
existing buildings
into NZEBs in
different climates.
Source 4 aims to Divided into The proposed
Robust optimal design of renewable energy quantify the three method provides an
system in nearly/net zero uncertaintie categories to effective way to
energy buildings under uncertainties s of nZEB meet different identify the effect
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016. performanc building needs. of the design
11.042 e For the design mismatch ratio on
and to of renewable the building
identify the energy systems performance and its
relationship in conventional target to achieve
between buildings (not annual zero energy
the limited to balance when the
 probability discrepancies uncertainties in
to between energy demand,
achieve energy renewable
annual zero production and resources are
energy energy concerned. In
balance and consumption), addition, it also
the design the best design provides flexibility
mismatch option (point O) to designers in
ratio within all selecting different
when the design options design options
uncertaintie (area of A) is based on their
s in energy determined requirements and
demand, using the the quantification of
renewable search method. the uncertainties in
resources Regarding design parameters.
are optimal sizing
concerned. of renewable
The energy systems
deterministi for nZEB using a
c approach deterministic
and approach, the
stochastic annual energy
approach, balance for the
applied in planning year
sizing should be
renewable achieved.
energy
system for A limited range
nZEB of C is identified
respectively, using a
are probabilistic
investigated approach for
and optimal sizing
compared. of renewable
energy systems
for nZEBs
considering
uncertainty. C
represents all
design options
suitable for
nZEB in
different years.
Source 5 This work Six GBRS were suggest that the
aims to selected and next generation of
How green building rating systems affect examine reviewed to GBRSs enhance the
indoor thermal comfort environments GBRS investigate the interaction and
design attributes to impact of GBRS integration of
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.10 address a attributes on indoor and outdoor
9514 controversia creating an thermal
l issue that
indoor thermal environments,
Green
environment. improving the
Building
Rating Next, we accuracy and
System organized a set timeliness of BEM
(GBRS) of criteria and CFD simulations
may not based on the with the use of new
necessarily analysis of the methods such as
improve generation data driven
user thermal mechanism of surrogate
comfort
indoor thermal modelling.
experience.
climate. Third, However, the
This is
we explored challenge will be
based on the
the potential data access for the
hypothesis
impact of surrounding urban
that GBRS
filtered out context and the
attributes
criteria on feasibility of
(criteria
creating indoor dynamic weather
settings,
thermal prediction and
rating
environments calculation down
approaches
in terms of from regional scale
and weights
evaluation to building scale.
allocations)
approaches and
dominate
weightings.
the thermal
We have
environmen
selected six
t design,
rating systems:
thus
LEED V4 for
affecting the
architectural
performanc
design and
e of the
construction of
indoor
BREEAM
thermal
International
environmen
New
t. Although
Construction in
thermal
the United
adaptation
States, Green
strategies
Star in Design &
will affect
As Built in
the
Australia,
perceived
Green Mark in
thermal
Singapore,
comfort,
Green Building
they are not
Rating
the focus of
Standards
this study.
(ASGB) in China
and BEAM. did.
Use Plus New
Buildings to
examine the
current GBRS
indoor thermal
comfort ratings
for new
buildings. The
rationale for
choosing such a
GBRS derives
from previous
work, which
was a critical
review of the
structure of
scoring
schemes,
criteria,
weightings, and
scoring
methods in
various GBRSs.
Therefore, we
choose LEED,
BREEAM, Green
Star, Green
Mark, ASGB
and BEAM Plus
in terms of their
evaluation
approach
characteristics,
research base,
global
recognition and
global
construction
market. Green
Mark, ASGB,
Beam Plus.
Creating an
indoor thermal
environment
aims to create
an acceptable
and
comfortable
environment
for the
occupants.
Here, thermal
comfort is
defined in the
globally
recognized
ASHRAE 55 and
ISO 7730
standards for
evaluating
indoor spaces
as “a state of
mind that
expresses
satisfaction
with the
thermal
environment”.
The flow of
energy into the
space occurs
with indoor
heat capture
approaches,
resulting in a
hot and humid
indoor
environment.
Indoor heat
increase is
caused by
'disturbance'
and 'civil
disturbance'.
External
disturbances
are mainly
outdoor
meteorological
parameters and
adjacent space
temperature
conditions,
which affect
indoor heat and
humidity
through
movement,
ventilation, and
infiltration of
the building
envelope.
However, due
to the high
feasibility and
weighting of
such criteria,
the application
quota in
planning
practice for
green building
 projects is
relatively high.
For example,
whether the
extreme
thermal
performance of
the building
envelope
reduces the
comfort level of
the indoor
thermal
environment
under free-
running
conditions,
resulting in the
need for air
conditioning,
leading to
thermal
discomfort and
increased
energy
consumption.
Therefore, we
are trying to
investigate the
impact of these
criteria on
indoor thermal
comfort by
parametric
analysis.
Source 7 This study credit and It goes without saying
that further studies will
Applying blockchain technology for building presents a building energy
be needed to develop a
energy performance measurement, review of performance,” viable Blockchain-based
reporting, and verification (MRV) and the the three “MRV and digital MRV application.
carbon credit market: A review of the types of carbon credit or That research could focus
upon several key factors.
literature papers that building energy
For example, ready
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.10 address: (1) performance,” access to information
8199 the carbon “Blockchain concerning the scope of
credit and building energy consumption and
carbon emissions in a
market and energy
project would be crucial.
the building performance” Also, the fuel mix should
sector; (2) with a few be taken into
BEP and its databases for consideration according
to various regions and
measureme studies from
situations, which gets a
nt and January 2008 to more precise calculation
verification Significant of energy savings and
(M&V); and articles on BEP carbon emissions [67].
Most important would be
(3) digital or MRV the reliability of
connection to ETS. In sum
BEP MRV systems were
total, that research would
and indicated in the culminate with a
Blockchain literature. streamlined carbon
technology. However, registry MRV, centered
upon a blockchain
studies with
system. The aim would be
combined to encourage the
subjects, such construction industry to
as the carbon adopt an optimistic
perspective regarding
credit market,
credits.
building sector,
Blockchain, and
MRV, were not
found in
significant
numbers. Since
this research's
main purpose is
to identify the
carbon credit
market, the
BEP, and the
potential
blockchain
MRV
application, the
focus was on
papers written
later than 2008.
The publication
search for the
carbon credit
and the
building energy
performance
has two main
categories
utilizing specific
clusters of
keywords. The
first cluster of
keywords is
connected to
carbon
emission,
(building
energy
performance
terms) screen
publications.
the publication
search for MRV
and carbon
credit or
building energy
The second
category of
keywords for
carbon credit or
building energy
performance is
carbon
emission,
carbon credit,
carbon credit
market (carbon
credit terms),
the building
energy
performance,
building energy
(building
energy
performance
terms) filters
publications.
Moreover,
Blockchain and
building energy
performance,
the search was
conducted with
two groups of
keywords. The
other is BEP
(building
energy
performance
terms). For
each search
phrase, general
keywords (such
as
performance*,
consumption*,
or efficiency*)
are used.
The articles`
titles and
abstracts were
scrutinized to
select the most
relevant to the
carbon credit
 market, BEP,
MRV, and
Blockchain.
Double-
counted
articles from
each database
were
eliminated, and
only papers
that reviewed,
enhanced, or
applied the
three
categories
above were
taken. The
search
identified 57
relevant papers
out of 561
papers of the
initial search.
The authors
read their titles
and abstracts
and selected
the papers
related to the
study.
Source 8 The aim was This paper presents Life-cycle cost and
a review of the
Zero energy buildings and sustainable to present environmental
ZEBs
development an overview works and impacts - the ZEBs
implications - A review rather than discusses the concept raises the
a detailed implications for question of "in what
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013. sustainable
01.070 analysis of scale and depth that
development.
individual To give a more energy efficiency
technologie comprehensive measures should be
s/ systems. view and a better taken before
understanding of
renewable energy
the underlying
issues and salient technologies are
points, studies considered to cater
though not specific to the energy
to ZEBs but directly
requirement." One
related to the two
design strategies approach is to
and conduct a life-cycle
conducive to the energy analysis of
development of
the ZEBs, including
ZEBs will also be
considered. the renewables.
Several studies have
used the life-cycle
energy accounting
technique to assess
the energy
efficiency and
emissions
implications of
buildings or specific
renewable
technologies. There
is, however, very
little work on ZEBs.
A recent study on a
residential building
in Denmark has
indicated that, from
a cost-effectiveness
perspective, energy
demand should be
reduced to a
minimum through
energy-efficient
building designs
leaving just a
minimal amount of
energy required to
be covered by
renewable energy
generation. A new
term, "LC-ZEB" (life-
cycle zero energy
building) has also
been suggested to
emphasize the
importance of
examining the entire
ZEB on a life-cycle
basis, taking into
account both the
embodied energy
and the operation.
For example,
although GSHPs
have proved helpful
in reducing CO2
emissions compared
with electric or
natural gas heating
systems, it has been
argued that the
reduction is
marginal when
other life-cycle
environmental
impacts (e.g., abiotic
resource depletion
of fossil fuels, ozone
layer depletion
potential and
terrestrial
ecotoxicity
potential) are taken
into consideration.
Recent reviews of
the impact of
climate change on
the energy sector in
general and the
energy use in the
built environment,
in particular, have
highlighted the
vulnerability of
energy systems and
buildings to climate
change. This is in
contrast to the
representative
weather year (e.g.,
TMY (typical
meteorological
year) and TPCY
(typical principal
component year))
usually adopted for
hourly building
energy simulation
analysis. compared
the performance of
five GCMs (general
circulation models)
in terms of DBT (dry-
bulb temperature),
WBT (wet-bulb
temperature), and
GSR (global solar
radiation) in
different climate
zones. A mode It can
be seen that the
performance of the
five models could
vary significantly in
different climate
zones and for other
meteorological
variables. More
work is required to
select climate
models appropriate
for building energy
simulation studies.
Furthermore, in
recent years there
have been many
studies on district
heating but very
little on district
cooling. Global
warming will lead to
less heating
requirements,
especially in colder
climates, and vice
versa in warmer
climates for cooling
requirements.
Social policy issues e
energy is a key
component in any
overall sustainable
development
strategy, and it is
important to
monitor the effects
of energy policy in
the social,
economic, and
environmental
dimensions. The
main drivers of key
indicators of energy
demand developed
in most energy use
and emissions
forecast studies are
socio-economic
parameters. It has
been argued that a
positive attitude
towards energy and
sustainability needs
to be encouraged
and maintained
among the general
public. For instance,
a recent case study
on a grid-connected
PV system in
 subtropical Hong
Kong has shown
that, based on
economic grounds
alone, PV is not
viable due to the
long payback period
of over 70 years. A
positive social
attitude towards the
environment and
sustainable
development could
sway the decision in
favor of renewable
energy.
Source 9 this paper Energy retrofit In future work, a full
A multi-criterion decision analysis develops a strategies on life cycle
framework for sustainable energy retrofit framework existing sustainability
in buildings using multi- buildings were assessment of
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.122 criterion limited to select energy retrofit
315 decision elements of a strategies is
analysis building, such recommended
(MCDA) for as walls, roofs, considering social
sustainable openings, and aspects. This
energy electrical and extension will
retrofit in mechanical provide an accurate
existing systems. An on- and holistic
buildings. site renewable evaluation of how
energy strategy energy retrofit
will be strategies improves
incorporated to the sustainability of
challenge the buildings. The use of
feasibility of an other building
NZE through energy simulation
retrofitting. A tools coupled with
presentation of laboratory and site
retrofit data can provide
strategies to essential
identify information to
influential gauge energy
stakeholders retrofit strategies.
was made. The Studies in the future
building energy may explore
simulation integrating
program uncertainty and
DesignBuilder variance in data to
was used to arrive at good
simulate the project risk
building management.
performance
when the
 energy retrofit
strategies were
incorporated.
Source 10 this study Macro- The study results
willconduct a can help designers
Sensitivity analysis of macro-parameters in parameters
systematic
the system design of net zero energy sensitivity concerning improve NZEB
building analysis of different system design
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.1 macro- systems through carefully
0.031 parameters
(including selecting those
forthe system
HVAC system, design parameters
design of a
NZEB in the renewable with heavy
climate of energy system impacts.
subtropics.
and storage Meanwhile, the
proposed
system) and
exhaustive search
their variation
approach provides
ranges will be
a method to
firstly
minimize the initial
identified. DSA investment cost of
varies only one systems in a NZEB
uncertain input with given prices.
each time while
the others keep
unchanged.
Using the
constructed
platform, the
cooling load
profile of the
NZEB in a year
is obtained for
each studied
parameter. A
simplified
system COP
(coefficient of
performance) is
calculated
based on the
system part
load ratios.
With the
cooling load
profile and the
calculated
system COP,
the power
consumption of
HVAC system is
estimated. The
dynamic
platform will
also generate
 the power
consumption of
other systems
besides HVAC
system. Based
on the overall
power
consumption of
the NZEB, an
exhaustive
search
approach is
proposed and
used to
optimize the
sizes of the
renewable
energy system
and the storage
system for
minimizing the
overall initial
investment
cost. With the
obtained sizes
of HVAC
system,
renewable
energy system
and storage
system, the
dimensionless
influence
coefficients of
each parameter
is calculated to
quantify the
impacts on the
system sizes
and overall
cost.
Source 12 This study aims to VOSviewer software The need for a much
provide a was used to realize comprehensive NZEB
A bibliometric review of net zero energy comprehensive the first two definition – implications
building research 1995–2022 overview of objectives while to
for policymakers. The
three-decade meet the
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.111 research third objective, the total `life cycle
996 developments in SciMAT tool was environmental impacts,'
the field employed to examine `indoor thermal comfort`,
of Net-Zero the thematic and `cost-effectiveness'
Energy Buildings evolution of the field are the three essential
(NZEBs) by using within
attributes that should be
bibliometric three sub-periods
analysis
included in the future
(1995–2005; 2006–
techniques. The 2015; 2016–2022). definitions of NZEBs,
specific objectives particularly those
of formulated by building
this paper are to: policies. Amongst all,
(1) identify the cost-
most influential effectiveness/optimizatio
researchers,
n has appeared as a
sources, and
countries in this 'motor theme' in the third
field; (2) period and is also
identify the main perceived as an essential
thematic research parameter in a few
focus areas and definitions given for
hot topics in the NZEBs [14]. However, life
field; and (3)
cycle environmental
analyze the
thematic impacts and thermal
evolution of comfort are primarily
NZEBs. excluded from the
current frames of NZEB's
definitions.
  Innovation – the need
for further investment in
innovative technologies.
This finding implies the
necessity of further
investment in supporting
scientific research that
contributes to developing
innovative technologies
in NZEBs and improving
the existing ones. The
innovation can catalyze
the widespread
implementation of NZEBs
by finding low-
energy/carbon solutions
for reducing energy
consumption or
generating energy via
renewable sources.
  Smart buildings, smart
cities, NZEBs, and energy
transition. The NZEBs
have a fundamental role
in developing smart cities
by addressing challenges
relating to energy
efficiency, renewable
energy production, and
energy management. In
other words, the
relationships between
NZEBs, smart cities, and
energy transition are
intertwined. In this
regard, future building
policies can play an
important role in
overcoming these
challenges by introducing
requirements for new
and retrofitting buildings
to become smart.
  Electric vehicles and
NZEBs. Nevertheless, the
integration of electric
vehicles with NZEBs
would lead to increased
energy loads of buildings.
Hence, a readjustment is
needed in current
definitions of NZEB and
calculation
methodologies to
accommodate the
inclusion of electric
vehicles within the
boundary of building
assessment.
  Zero Emission
Neighborhoods –
implications for the
research
community. The ZEN
appeared as an emerging
theme with potential
influence in advancing
the field of NZEBs.
However, this is a
relatively new area of
research and still has
many challenges to
overcome. [139] found
out that the majority of
existing definitions for
ZEN are not
methodologically sound,
meaning that key
performance indicators
(KPIs), system
boundaries, and targets
are not clearly
established.
  Energy saving measures
– the agenda for future
building policies. The
second group entails
measures that support
the use of energy-
efficient equipment such
as mechanical systems
(e.g., HVAC) and
appliances such as
lighting, refrigerator,
washing machines, or
dryers in buildings. The
importance of energy-
saving, as a key pillar of
NZEBs, has been taken
into consideration by
most of the current
building energy-
efficiency codes.
However, the agenda of
future generations of
building policies should
promote energy
efficiency
strategies/measures that
can reduce the total life
cycle environmental
impacts of buildings. The
use of materials with
lower embodied carbon,
better design, increased
reuse of construction
materials with high
embodied energy and
embodied carbon, and
stronger policy drivers
are a number of key
measures as
recommended.
  Renewable energy
production – the need
for a pluralistic
approach at the policy
level. Renewable energy
production is
a key pillar of NZEBs. The
most common sources of
renewable energy for
NZEBs are solar energy,
wind energy, geothermal,
and biomass. Wind
energy is another
alternative utilized to
supplement solar energy
systems and minimize
reliance on only one
source of energy. Studies
point out several barriers
hampering the
deployment of renewable
energy systems in the
building sector. For
instance, Karakaya and
Sriwannawit mentioned
that barriers to the
promotion of PV systems
include socio-technical,
management, economic,
and policy. A study has
grouped barriers to the
widespread use of
renewables into
technical, financial,
social, organizational,
and policy.
  Application of tools –
implications for the
research community. One
promising direction for
the future application of
tools in NZEBs is to adopt
the concept of a digital
twin for optimizing
building performance
during other stages of the
building lifecycle. The
application of digital
twins would facilitate
monitoring buildings`
performance consistently
using real-time data
incorporated into the
BIM models of buildings.
Hence, future research
can investigate the
advantages and
challenges (e.g., the
process of collecting, pre-
 processing, storing, and
transmitting data)
associated with
developing the digital
twin of NZEBs.
Source 13 This study aims to To this end, this Further NZEBs research
systematically efforts are required in
Review of global research advances and study adopted existing building
towards net-zero emissions comprehensively a ``mixed retrofits, commercial
explore the state-
Buildings ofthe- review buildings, and high-rise
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112 art in NZEBs method," buildings. Several
research, and to future recommendations
142 provide
which
are provided under
recommendation combines a section 5 and
s about research qualitative throughout the paper.
gaps and future
review (i.e., Thus, the study offers
research
researchers valuable
directions. systematic guidance for future
approach) and studies in NZEBs. The
a quantitative study identified
review (i.e., emerging
technologies applicable
bibliometric to NZEBs. As such, the
approach). The findings provide
mixed method a useful reference for
overcomes the practitioners to explore
the practical application
weakness of
of these technologies in
using a single NZEBs.
method (i.e.,
quantitative or
qualitative
methods).
The
bibliometric
approach helps
to
quantitatively
analyze and
map large
bibliometric
datasets to
detect the
structural
dynamics of a
scientific
domain. It can
be used for
various
purposes,
including
identifying
emerging
research
trends,
collaboration
patterns, and
research
 constituents,
and
investigating
the intellectual
structure of a
scientific
domain.
In addition, a
systematic review
was conducted to
identify significant
themes or
phenomena
prevailing in the
scientific domain
[60]. The method
helped to identify
research gaps and
future
research directions.
As shown in Fig. 1,
the research
process has
three stages: data
acquisition,
bibliometric
analysis, and
systematic
analysis, each of
which is described
in detail next.
Source 16 this study the implemented further research
provides an control framework is needed to obtain the
Improving energy flexibility and PV self- optimal that applies understanding of other
consumption for a tropical net control model predictive building types
zero energy office building framework that control (MPC) and and control scenarios.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112 improves the interacts with the
energy building
606 flexibility of through a building
tropical management
office buildings. system (BMS)
There are three interface. The
research framework consists
objectives: of three main
1. Propose an components:
integrative disturbance
control forecast,
framework control-oriented
based on MPC model, and
that dynamic
realizes the optimization.
energy Considering
flexibility of the fast thermal
tropical office response and small
buildings, thermal mass of
improving PV tropical
self- buildings, MPC was
consumption configured with 15-
and building min intervals and
self-sufficiency. 1-h horizons.
2. Implement The horizon could
the proposed be prolonged for
framework in a buildings with
larger
multi-zone thermal mass or
office energy storage
space and systems.
benchmark its
performance Disturbance
against forecast
baseline At each time
controls
in both virtual
step during
and actual operating
experiments. hours, the
3. Design a control
series of
experiments to
framework
investigate the started by
effect of forecasting the
different disturbances
levels of data
availability and
for the coming
establish the control horizon,
relationships which was then
between data used as
usage and
control
boundary
performance. conditions for
the control
optimization.
Considering
that the
horizon of one
hour is
relatively short,
the forecasting
was purely
based on
historical data
and time. Long
Short-Term
Memory
(LSTM), a state-
of-the-art
recurrent
neural network
for weather
forecasting
[40], was
adopted here
for outdoor
temperature
and solar
irradiance.
Historical data
and
timestamps
were taken as
model inputs
during the past
two hours
(eight
timesteps).
Two models
were trained
for
temperature
and irradiance
with one year
of historical
data.

Control-oriented
model
Each thermal
zone was
modeled by the
R2C2 room,
where R(ext)
stood for the
external wall,
two capacitors
C(air) and C(int)
respectively
represented
indoor air and
internal mass
(floor and
ceiling
included), and
R(int) was the
resistance of
convective heat
transfer. Model
inputs included
outdoor
temperature
T(out), internal
heat gain
Q(int), cooling
heat flow
Q(clg), and
solar irradiance
H(solar) (heat
gain coefficient
a to be
estimated). The
R2C1 partition
modeled the
internal walls
that connect
two
neighboring
zones with two
resistors and
one capacitor.
Note that this
study modeled
the external
walls as one
resistor
because they
are primarily
high-
performance
glasses with
negligible
thermal
capacitance.

Dynamic
optimization
Assuming that
the plug load in
an office
building is not
adjustable, the
optimization
controlled the
cooling load
according to
how much
electricity PV
generates.
Correspondingl
y, the quadratic
objective
function 2
minimized the
difference
between the
total building
load P(total)
and PV
generation
P(PV). While
the room
temperatures
were
constrained to
vary between
25 and 28 C,
the air
movement
speed was not
included in the
optimization
 considering its
minor impact
on energy
consumption.
Although it is
theoretically
viable to adjust
the ceiling fan
with respect to
the room
temperature,
the actual air
movement
preference
varies across
individuals.
Considering the
high variability
of occupants in
an open office
space, the
ceiling fans
were left to be
adjusted by
occupants
based on their
personal
preferences.
Source 18 The aim of this • All the However, further
work is to characteristics research is needed to
Towards the objective of Net ZEB: Detailed propose an related to achieve a unique
energy analysis and cost integrated geometry, technical
energy-economic
assessment for new office buildings in Italy analysis to
building definition of the Net ZEB
envelope standard, also focusing
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112 demonstrate the
glazing types and
actual feasibility on the reference
707 of new Net ZEB windows and period for the energy
offices in shading devices balance; the building
different were chosen behavior
Italian climate to maximize the changes over time and it
zones. energy can be nearly ZEB, Net
performance. The ZEB or positive
thermo-physical energy building
parameters and depending on the
thermal different period
transmittance of considered
the building (hour, day, month or
envelope season). Thus, it would
components were be necessary a finer
set, respecting the time discretization for
minimum energy the evaluation of the
requirements energy performance.
defined by the Next works should be
Italian legislation able to provide
[33] and varying significant information
them about the interaction
according to the between RES, storage
different Italian and grid integration
climate zones.
Likewise, the
operation of in monthly or daily
shading devices periods, in order to
was set depending underline the necessary
on the solar improvements in the
radiation in the energy level
different locations, performance of new
to maximize the buildings.
shading Moreover, forthcoming
as a cooling passive research studies should
strategy. be expended to
• As regards the other typology of non-
building residential buildings as
facilities, each well as dwellings,
system was with the aim of
determined understanding how the
to provide the goal of Net ZEB could be
related service implemented in the
(summer and whole building stock.
winter Finally, further financial
conditioning, and macroeconomic
mechanical analysis could be
ventilation for air carried out through a
treatment, global cost investigation
production of to identify a costoptimal
DHW) as configuration and
efficient as quantify the energy and
possible, ensuring economic savings
high energy derived through the
performance, energy performance
indoor improvements in
thermal comfort the Italian office
and air quality. buildings.
• Photovoltaic
panels have
been included
in the
building
design,
since renewable
sources are the key
element to achieve
the
ZEB goal, along
with a storage
element and a load
center system
that manages the
energy
interactions. In
order to design
well-dimensioned
systems of energy
production by
renewable
sources, it was
carried out a
parametric analysis
varying the
photovoltaic area
until the renewable
energy production
overgoes
the energy
demand, with a
maximum
deviation of 0.1 %
for each climate
zone.
• Finally, the
occupancy
and the
environmental
management
and
control (e.g.,
preheating/precool
ing time to achieve
set point
temperatures,
sunlight monitoring
to manage both
shading system
and artificial
lighting) were
scheduled.

The phase of
modeling and
simulation (third
step) was
implemented
with the dynamic
calculation method
through the
Energy-
Plus engine in
representative
Italian locations of
the different
climate zones. The
dynamic method is
one of the most
employed
from academics
and trained
designer whose
choices become
even
more relevant
when realizing low-
consuming
buildings, also for
its
accuracy and
flexibility [34].
Moreover, it
provides detailed
results
even if the more
accurate the
results, the higher
the number of
variables and
settings to be
defined, the
greater the
computational
cost. The
simulations have
been performed
over a one-year
reference
 period, considering
the specific winter
and summer period
for each climate
zone. About the
energy results, the
whole energy
demand has been
calculated as well
as the energy
produced by the
renewable sources,
and a thorough
analysis of the
energy balance
components has
been carried out,
with the aim of
determining
the contribution of
each component to
the total coverage
of energy
needs.
Together with the
energy analysis, the
economic
evaluation of
the proposed
solutions was
carried out,
quantifying the
investment
costs for each
category of
building
construction and
thus considering
envelope
components, plant
systems and others
design and
ancillary costs.
Finally, the
obtained results
were compared
with
existing Italian and
European zero
energy buildings
and further
reference models
(nZEB or Net ZEB)
that meet the
current Italian
standard for new
constructions
although using
different building
envelope, HVAC
and RES.
Source 21 This paper Future works
Towards zero energy school building presents the involving the
designs in Hong Kong energy analysis of life cycle
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- saving cost, carbon savings
nc-nd/4.0/ designs of a and environmental
school benefits of the PV
building, installations
simulates will be conducted.
the
energy
expenditure
s and
discusses
the findings
and design
implications
.
Source 25 This paper Building Future studies may be
presents a extended to other design
Multi-objective optimization methodology Simulation
MCDM parameters including
for net zero energy buildings methodology passive parameters
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2017.12.003 for NZEB (natural ventilation,
performance blinds, overhangs,
optimization. energy efficient and RE
The aim of the Optimization systems, and other
proposed Procedure objective functions
method is to related
get the best to energy, environment,
design economy, comfort, or
solution from a MCDM others. In addition, the
set of Pareto- simulation-based
front solutions, sensitivity and
a solution uncertainty analyses of
which reflects the passive,
the DM Solution energy efficient, and RE
preferences. Robustness systems are interesting
The suggested topics for the future
simulation- research works.
based
methodology is
composed of
four steps:
building
simulation,
optimization,
MCDM and
finally a
sensitivity
study to test
the robustness
of the optimal
result.
Source 33 The aim of the The initial stage is Based on the brief study
paper is to to gather research carried out in this study,
Concept of net zero energy buildings (NZEB) investigate the papers, abstracts, following
- A literature review literature on and unpublished recommendations can be
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2022.100582 the existing material from made:
NZEB to make Google Scholar, ● _Optimization and
them self- Elsevier, Science- Holistic plan to capture
sustaining and Direct, IEEE, the complexity of the
net zero in Springer, Taylor building behaviour
order to Francis, Wiley, (AbuGrain and Alibaba,
improve energy Inderscience, and 2017).
efficiency of the Emerald, among ● _Use of plug in loads as
buildings. other sources. As building is being more
Because of the part of state-of-the- energy efficient along
goal of reducing art analysis, with their reducing the
the use of non- following a energy consumption
renewable thorough (Chandanachulaka and
energy sources, examination of the Khan-ngern (2016)).
the paper concepts and ● _Energy retrofit of
works on three iterative study residential buildings to
key objectives process, this paper the NZEB level is the best
with theoretical came up with some practice for substantially
approaches relevant keywords. reducing energy demand
which are listed Keywords like “net and fossil fuel
below: zero energy dependency (Abdullah
● _Supply of building,” _“energy and Alibaba (2017),
energy from analysis of NZEB,” D’Agostino et al. (2017);
different _“energy Moran et al. (2020)).
sources of integration to ● _In order to increase
renewable NZEB,” _and the funds available for
energy. “performance of projects and contribute
● _Increase the NZEB under various to more comprehensive
energy climatic conditions” participation, RE should
efficiency of _were used to find be made a priority sector
building. ● relevant (Dehwah and Asif (2019),
_Reduce documents in the Santos and Rüther
dependency on database. A total of (2012)).
fossil fuels. 2982 results were ● _Skill enhancement
found during the training sessions for
search. There were interested individuals on
1563 academic renewables will
journals, 165 encourage the
conference generation of RE (Musall
materials, 296 et al. (2010), Gallo et al.
magazines, 647 (2015)).
trade publications, ● _Favourable thermal
and 59 books comfort conditions and
produced between optimal energy balance
2002 and 2022. A throughout the year
second stage was through detailed energy
developed to simulations (Braun and
discover the most Rüther (2010)).
important material Furthermore, for more
from widely energy saving potential,
circulated articles. the following guidelines
The number of should be studied:
materials chosen ● _Integration of
had been reduced automatic shading
to 219 at the end of systems into window
the second construction. ● _Daylight
iteration phase. sensors must be built into
Only peer-reviewed the lighting system for
publications and proper energy
research papers consumption.
were taken into ● _Installing new energy-
consideration. efficient lighting and
Unpublished thesis HVAC systems to save
and abstracts were even more money on
not considered. electricity per year.
Only 170 of the 219 ● _The feasibility of
items were deemed adding RES as additional
relevant. The year elements to the building
of publishing was envelope materials for
used to minimize insulation.
the number. ● _The cost analysis of
Because they had economic viability and
the most up-to- life cycle of optimizing
date information, the current building into a
the most current definition of net-zero
papers were
chosen for the energy.
investigation. We While the nZEB objective
looked at is technically possible,
publications over there is a 30% cost
the previous 20 difference between the
years, but we nZEB solution and the
concentrated cost-optimal option. This
mostly on relevant is crucial since it implies
papers published in that the existing nZEB
the recent 10 years, standard is inferior than
with the last five the optimum financial
years receiving the option (Salem et al.
greatest attention. (2020)). The possibilities
of reducing energy use
and construction costs
are investigated, and
evidence is provided that
wooden nearly-zero-
energy buildings (nZEB)
are technically possible at
affordable construction
costs through the use of
novel design processes
and procurement models
that enable scalable and
modular production
(Arum¨agi and Kalamees
(2020)). Pikas et al. (2017)
concluded that the nZEB
investments are expected
to become cost-optimal
without subsidies, due to
the increasing efficiency
and decreasing costs of
PV systems. Buildings
account for a large
proportion of the world’s
total energy and carbon
emissions, and play an
important role in
formulating strategies for
sustainable growth. In
recent years, there has
been a growing interest in
NZEBs. To this end, smart
systems implement
applications with
numerous and
interdisciplinary features:
stable additional
renewable energy
integration, network
distribution, efficient
delivery systems, control
and monitoring in order
to reach zero energy
goals by demand
response. The
incorporation of
intelligent technologies
requires a holistic
approach that takes all
aspects of sustainability
into account. The
introduction of highly
efficient smart buildings
is possible through the
incorporation of smart
metering and renewable
systems, serving as
storage/generators and
energy control by
tracking in-house devices,
smart sustainable
buildings can have a
better quality of life. With
the help of a mobile app,
such platform-based
configuration technology
has the potential to
improve comfort,
healthcare, safety and
security, as well as energy
conservation at home
and at work. The general
pictorial representation
of net zero building
towards smart
Sustainable building is
shown in Figure (7). A
more comfortable built
environment can be
generated by smart
construction while
simultaneously reducing
the carbon footprint of a
site. In order to change
water quality and
increase energy
efficiency, Green building
blends technology and
living practices.
Optimized energy
efficiency, additional
commissioning
measurements and
verification, and
continuous monitoring of
carbon dioxide would
benefit from the use of
environmentally friendly
materials and creative
procedures. The Green
Building Concept has
become popular.
Purbantoro and Siregar
(2019) defined the
principles of green
construction. Green ship
rating tool composed of
six groups: Acceptable
Site Construction (ASD),
Energy Management &
Conservation (EEC),
Water Conservation
(WAC), Indoor Air Health
& Comfort (IHC), Material
Resources & Cycle (MRC),
and Building &
Environments
management (BEM). The
conclusions
 demonstrated that the
introduction of the green
building concept will also
improve energy
efficiency. Purbantoro
and Siregar (2019)
focused on the nature of
Net Zero’s technological
and financial viability of
NZEB from an existing
building.
Source 34 the purpose of The Preferred Based on the
this review is to Reporting Items for strategies/technologies
identify and Systematic reviews used in commercial and
Design considerations for net zero energy synthesize and Meta- Analyses residential NZEBs, the
buildings for intensive, confined poultry insights from (PRISMA) energy use profile of
production: A review of current insights, NZEB literature systematic review poultry housing, and the
knowledge gaps, and future directions that may be method (Moher et physical and physiological
relevant to the al., 2009) was used. requirements of intensive
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111874 design of NZE PRISMA includes a poultry production, the
housing for search strategy, following
intensive, screening criteria, recommendations are
confined and extraction and being made as priority
poultry synthesis of data considerations in the
production. stages (review development of Net Zero
Specifically, this framework), as Energy poultry barns
review seeks to detailed below. (review question 3). •
answer the _Although increasing
following The Web of Science solar heat gain through
questions: search engine and optimizing building
1. What are the keyword queries geometry and glazing is
insights/strateg were employed to common in
ies from NZEB identify relevant commercial/residential
literature for literature applications, priority for
commercial and resources, NZE poultry barns should
residential including peer- be given to improving
applications reviewed research housing insulation, which
that can be articles and review can provide significant
applied to NZEB papers topical to benefits with respect to
poultry housing each of the three reducing heat losses and
with respect to review questions. energy use for heating. •
design features, Relevant articles in _Despite ventilation’s
building the reference lists high contribution to
components, of selected papers energy requirements,
and were also natural ventilation should
technologies considered. The only be used to
used? temporal scope supplement powered
2. What are the included papers operations in poultry
key energy- published from housing due to the issues
consuming 2000 to 2021, while of air flow control, air
activities (and other papers quality maintenance, and
their relative outside the potential snow/rain
importance) in temporal scope ingress associated with
confined included in the natural ventilation. •
intensive aforementioned _Integration of
poultry housing reference lists were innovative solar thermal
systems? 3. also considered. technologies like Trombe
What The search queries walls in cool climates and
recommendati resulted in the other passive
ons can be identification of heating/cooling systems
advanced 1311 articles. Based such as earth tubes
regarding on screening of title should be considered for
priority and abstract for poultry barns. Particular
considerations relevance, a total of focus should be given to
and strategies 243 papers were sensible Thermal Energy
for designing Storage (TES) systems
NZEB poultry shortlisted for such as those involving
housing detailed review. phase change materials
considering the Table 1 describes due to their potential to
unique the key word help maintain stable
characteristics combinations that indoor temperatures in
and were used, along poultry barns.
requirements with the number of • _Heat pump technology
for intensive, articles – _in particular, ground
confined accessed/reviewed source heat pumps –offer
poultry for each review an energy efficient and
production? question and the cost-effective alternative
specific review to conductive, radiant,
objectives. and convective heaters
commonly used in
poultry housing. •
_Powered operations
(mechanical ventilation)
are required in intensive,
confined poultry
production facilities.
Hence, irrespective of
type of ventilation system
used, selection of
appropriate equipment
(such as fans), proper
maintenance, and
removal of air leakages
should be prioritized to
improve energy
efficiency. • _In cold
climates, the use of heat
recovery ventilators
(HRVs) can significantly
reduce exogenous
heating demands by
recapturing some of the
heat removed through
ventilation and hence
contribute to achieving
NZE status. • _With
respect to lighting, LED
technology currently
provides the most
energy-efficient, durable,
and environmentally
friendly option. Use of
natural lighting may also
be feasible when
integrated with blinds/
screens that enable
controlling photoperiod -
which is important for
bird productivity. • _Use
of sensor networks that
help support real-time
monitoring and decision-
making for climatic
variables is a promising
energy efficiency solution
to achieve NZE poultry
barns. These systems also
have the potential to be
expanded to enable
information flow
between multiple
buildings to create NZE
poultry housing clusters.

• _Most NZE technology

options for poultry
housing have been
considered in isolation to
date. Thus, more
research into hybrid
technologies may enable
achieving better energy-
saving outcomes.
• _Challenges in
technology system
integration for poultry
housing are non-trivial.
For example, the
bidirectional connections
and two-way information
flow between the
buildings and smart grids
bring new challenges for
system optimization,
operations, and
scheduling. Future
research should focus on
both the application and
system integration of
smart control
technologies, considering
the dynamic variance of
ambient temperatures,
RH, ventilation rates, etc.
that are required to meet
the physiological
requirements of poultry
• _Further research to
investigate the
appropriate size/scale of
efficient systems for
heating, ventilation and
RE generation in NZE
poultry housing is
required. Simulation
models should be
developed for poultry
housing designers and
engineers to simulate
energy use in new design
or retrofitting of poultry
housing, considering local
climatic factors, RE
resource availability, and
farm-specific production
characteristics/requirem
ents.
• _Design of NZE poultry
housing must consider
the heat and moisture
produced by poultry as
well as air quality
requirements, which can
vary considerably
depending on bird
housing density and type
of housing system used.
Considering different
 ages and weight of birds,
feed inputs, lighting and
indoor temperature,
moisture and air velocity,
etc. are also critical. This
presents challenges not
commonly encountered
in design of
commercial/residential
NZEBs.
• _Finally, the current
study focuses primarily
on the design of NZE
poultry housing systems.
Even though there are
considerable differences
in physiological
requirements among
different livestock
species, some of the
insights presented herein
will be transferable to
design of NZE housing for
pigs, cattle, sheep, etc.
However, ensuring
species-specific
physiological and
production requirements
are met will likely require
additional considerations
not addressed in the
current review in order to
design NZE housing for
other livestock species.
• _While the
technological rationale
for the recommendations
is clear, it is important for
future research to
thoroughly analyze the
environmental and other
sustainability
implications associated
with these technologies
and strategies using
systems-based, multi
criteria frameworks such
as Life Cycle Assessment
and Life Cycle Costing.
Source 38 There are three 2.1. The optimal According to the
research control framework experiment results, we
Improving energy flexibility and PV self-
objectives: Fig. 1 displays the proposed shifting the
consumption for a tropical net 1. Propose an implemented MPC workflow from the
zero energy office building integrative control framework traditional model-centric
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112 control that applies to data-centric.
framework model predictive The new workflow starts
606 based on MPC control (MPC) and with control-oriented
that interacts with the data curation,
realizes the building where the desired data
energy through a building points are determined
flexibility of management based on the control
tropical office system (BMS) purpose and building
buildings, interface. The characteristics. This
improving PV framework consists additional step promotes
self- of three main
consumption components:
 and building disturbance the scalability of MPC by
self-sufficiency. forecast, acquiring data cost-
2. Implement control-oriented effectively and saving
the proposed model, and downstream
framework in a dynamic configuration efforts.
multi-zone optimization. Making informed
office Considering decisions
space and the fast thermal requires the end-to-end
benchmark its response and small relationships between
performance thermal mass of data availability
against tropical and control
baseline buildings, MPC was performance, which is
controls configured with 15- established by systematic
in both virtual min intervals and experiments as shown in
and actual 1-h horizons. this paper. Therefore,
experiments. The horizon could further research
3. Design a be prolonged for is needed to obtain the
series of buildings with understanding of other
experiments to larger building types
investigate the thermal mass or and control scenarios.
effect of energy storage
different systems.
levels of data
availability and
establish the
relationships
between data
usage and
control
performance.
Source 41 this study will The definitions of Considering all these
compare the NZEBs, except for advantages, this study
Net-zero energy buildings: The influence of impact of Site-NZEB, depend recommends Site-NZEB
definition on greenhouse gas four main NZEB on some as the preferred
Emissions definitions on external factors: NZEB definition for
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111 the operational the Source-NZEB mitigating GHG
greenhouse gas definition depends emissions associated
118 emissions of a on StSFs, the with
building. Cost-NZEB buildings while at the
definition depends same time shifting to all-
on utility rates and electric buildings
grid remuneration or carbon–neutral
policy, and the sources of NG (such as
Emission-NZEB biogas).
definition is a
function of
emission
factors. In addition,
the GHG emission
of a building is a
function of
emission factors
that are subject to
temporal and
spatial
variation. For these
two reasons, it is
impossible to
compare
these four NZEB
definitions beyond
the comparison
presented in
Table 1 without
context. Therefore,
some context
needs to be
created
first.
The building
geometry
considered for this
study, i.e. a
shoebox
model, is
presented in Fig. 1.
The floor is 10   10
m2 with a 3-m
ceiling height and a
Widow to Wall
Ratio (WWR) of
50% on all
faces of the façade.
The building is
equipped with a
highperformance
envelope and HVAC
systems as
described in Fig. 1.
To have an
inclusive context,
two locations with
distinctive
characteristics
are considered: 1.
City of Toronto,
Canada (44 N,
79 W),
located in a
heating-dominated
climate (cold
winters and
hot/humid
summers) with a
predominantly
carbon-free
(nuclear and
hydro) electricity
grid, and 2. Miami,
United States
(26 N 80 W),
located in a
cooling-dominated
tropical climate
with natural gas
fueling three-
fourths of the grid
generation [61]. To
have a more
comprehensive
context, two
different sources of
energy (electricity
and natural gas vs
only-electricity) are
combined with two
building
uses (residential
and commercial)
that creates four
energy scenarios
as follows:
When electricity
and natural gas are
both available as
an energy
source, natural gas
is used for heating
and for producing
domestic
hot water while
electricity covers
the remaining
energy demand.
Residential building
use mimics a
typical residential
behaviour,
whereby energy
demand peaks
twice a day, once in
the morning
and once in the
evening.
Commercial energy
demand (office
use),
on the other hand,
peaks just once in
the morning,
remains
comparatively
high during the
day, and decreases
approaching the
evening.
To ensure
comparability, total
energy use is kept
constant in all
cases via tuning the
heat transfer
coefficient value of
the walls
and the efficiency
of the heat pump
and furnace.
Building energy
simulations for all
these scenarios are
conducted in
OpenStudio.
To generate
renewable energy
in an NZEB, many
sources can be
used including
solar, wind, and
geothermal.
However, due to its
higher availability
and better
compatibility with
buildings and
urbanized areas,
solar energy is the
more common and
favoured
 source. On this
account, our
building is
equipped with
rooftopmounted
Photovoltaic (PV)
panels. Here, we
calculate the hourly
output of a PV
system facing
south with a tilt
equal to the
building
latitude (to ensure
maximum annual
output) using
PVWatts , a
calculator
developed by the
National
Renewable Energy
Lab
(NREL), and
MatLab .
Now that the
context for
comparison is
created, the four
NZEB
definitions are
applied.
Source 42 This study aims This study Recommendations to
to empirically employed a multi- improve ZEH
Net zero energy housing: An empirical evaluate step case study. performance based on
analysis from measured data energy The relationship the
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112 consumption between the researcher’s lessons
275 and production study’s research learned:
outcomes for steps, objectives,   Establish and integrate
multi-family and methodology clear performance goals,
housing units. are illustrated in system
The Fig. 1. The research requirements, and
authors team utilized a measurement tools to
conducted an single database facilitate team
in-depth case (referred to understanding
study hereafter as of performance;
methodology ‘Project Database’)   Incorporate context-
for 6 identical to organize and driven, human-building
2-bedroom analyze the data, interactions into
units, focusing thus enhancing the simulations (or augment
on factors work’s reliability. existing simulations and
commonly empirical
known to evaluation approaches)
influence NZEB to reduce the risk of not
performance. achieving
There were ZEH performance goals;
four research   Integrate occupants in
objectives the design process (if
for this work: possible) to anchor
1. Empirically the design in their needs
evaluate and maximize the
energy efficiency of building
consumption technologies;
and production   Systematically
data integrate post-occupancy
to characterize evaluations (POE) into
the
 performance of the design, construction,
a net zero and operation workflow
energy housing of buildings to
development provide critical feedback
with circuit- for incremental project
level hourly improvement;
data;   Integrate post-
2. Identify the occupancy education
temporal interventions to
variability of empower
energy occupants with the
consumption knowledge needed to
and operate the building;
production   Design and construct
data on ZEH for future
monthly and adaptability (e.g.,
daily time increase
scale(s); on-site energy
3. Explore and production by adding
compare additional solar PV
energy panels
consumption to overcome variability in
and production HBI).
outcome
variability from
weather and
select human-
building
interactions;
4. Recommend
data-driven
solutions for
practitioners to
achieve
performance
goals.
45 The idea of this This section In future works, the
research is describes the authors will pay attention
Optimal strategy for transition into net- applied to an system description, to changing our model
zero energy in educational buildings: A case actual optimization into a robust model with
study in El-Shorouk City, Egypt educational problem, Li-ion batteries included
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2021.10170 building in El- methodology, to handle the uncertainty
Shorouk City as retrofitting of all parameters – _load
1 its case study. strategies [51], and demands, renewables,
The building changing the and others.
has a certain energy
energy consumption
performance pattern (load
level and shifting) utilized in
requires a the study. First, the
certain amount case study of the
of electricity to existing building is
perform. If the examined through
energy two scenarios with
performance an integrated
could be renewable energy
enhanced and system. Second, the
the electricity objective function
could be and operational
generated restrictions of the
through the optimization
RES, then the problem are
building can be described. Third,
a zero-energy the methodology is
building. The explained by
contributions of implementing the
 this work are HOMER grid
briefly software
summarized as optimization. Last,
follows: system
assessments will be
• _Perform life addressed on how
cost cycle (LCC) the software results
analysis of were acquired and
NZEBs with assessed
energy-efficient depending on the
of advanced research
LED lighting, objectives.
HVAC system,
and a PV-grid
connected
system on a
national scale.
• _Apply for
demand-side
management
(DSM)
programs for an
actual
educational
building located
in Egypt and
display the
impacts of
these solutions
on the LCC.
• _Choose the
optimal
integrated RES
to minimize the
overall cost and
emissions by
using the
HOMER
software
platform.

Sample Synthesis Matrix

Themes Sources
Theme 1 1. Optimal design of renewable energy solution sets for net zero energy buildings
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.05.013
Optimum Design
(Harkouss et al., 2019)
The analyses show that, in Indore (hot climate), it is recommended to utilize the
solution set composed of air source heat pump for cooling and flat plate solar
collectors for domestic hot water (DHW) production. In Tromso (Cold climate), the use
of a biodiesel generator is promising to produce both electricity and hot steam for
heating as well as DHW use. In Beijing (mixed climate), it is recommended to utilize
electric chillers for cooling and natural gas condensing boiler for heating and DHW
usage.

2. Design optimization and optimal control of grid-connected and standalone

nearly/net zero energy buildings
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.06.007

(Lu, Wang, & Shan, 2015)

Although there is significant progress in the application of passive design strategies,
energy efficiency technologies and
hybrid energy systems in buildings, many challenges are still existing, especially the
urgent needs of a comprehensive approach for optimal design and control of energy
systems in for nearly/net zero energy buildings.

3. Robust optimal design of renewable energy system in nearly/net zero energy

buildings under uncertainties
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.11.042

(Lu et al., 2017)

• A mid-size existing institutional building is planned to be converted to NZEB in a
very harsh weather condition such as in the State of Kuwait (hot and arid). The
interaction between the NZEB and the national energy grid is considered to assure
the independency of the building on the grid particularly during the peak demand
periods. In addition, the economical and environmental impacts of converting the
building into NZE are also studied.
• In order to achieve such aims, the building experiences two main phases. The first
phase is to increase the energy efficiency of the building by reducing its energy
consumption to its lowest possible value. This was attained by implementing and
proposing the appropriate EEMs that were validated through collected measured
data and simulated results using EnergyPlus.
• The second phase is to integrate solar energy systems within the footprint of the
studied building to provide the required energy to achieve NZE for the building.
Then, three scenarios that are based on photovoltaic and solar absorption cooling
systems are proposed and simulated using TRNSYS program to achieve NZEB on
annual and monthly basis.

4. (9) A multi-criterion decision analysis framework for sustainable energy retrofit in

buildings
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.122315

(Ongpeng et al., 2022)

A hybrid AHP - VIKOR model was developed for evaluating sustainable building retrofit
with environmental, economic, and technical performance criteria. This model can be
used by engineers to support retrofit decisions for existing buildings while considering
relevant performance dimensions. This approach was demonstrated using an
illustrative case study. From the case study, the top 3 compromise solutions that are
acceptable to stakeholders and decision makers are retrofit scenarios: on-site
generation with high energy potential, mechanical/electrical with moderate impact
energy potential, and building envelope with low energy potential. Although a Net-zero
energy scenario can be achieved, it was least desired due to environmental and
economic impact. The comparative analysis on the economic and technical
performance of retrofit options signifies that a performance tradeoff is present, and an
optimum balance between these indicators should be considered in selecting the best
strategy. This model can provide essential decision support to improve the
sustainability of existing buildings, which may continue to operate for decades after
their initial construction. This hybrid AHP-VIKOR method addresses the limitations of
the other tools by providing a more systematic and structured decision framework.
5. (10) Sensitivity analysis of macro-parameters in the system design of net zero energy
building
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.10.031

(Sun, 2015)
A systematic study has been conducted to investigate the sensitivity impacts of three
groups of parameters. Meanwhile, an exhaustive search approach has been proposed to
minimize the overall cost of renewable energy system and the associated storage
system. Using this cost optimized approach, the differential sensitivity analysis has been
performed to evaluate the impacts of each parameter on the sizes of the key NZEB
systems including HVAC system, renewable energy system and energy storage system. It
has been found that all building system sizes and the overall initial investment cost in the
NZEB are most sensitive to the indoor temperature set-point. System COP and internal
gain intensity have significant impacts on different building system sizes and the over-all
cost. Medium impacts are found from the parameters including wall thickness and
window to wall ratio. Infiltration rate and wind turbine loss have very slight sensitivity
impacts on the sizes of all building system and the overall cost. The PV efficiency has
different impacts on different system sizes and the overall cost.

6. (25) Multi-objective optimization methodology for net zero energy buildings

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2017.12.003

(Harkouss et al., 2018)

In this paper, a multi-criteria decision-making methodology for NZEB design
optimization is introduced to enhance its energetic and economic performance. The
methodology is applied through the combination of energy simulation and optimization
programs (TRNSYS and MOBO) coupled with a ranking decision-making technique
(ELECTRE III). The objective is to evaluate the most cost-effective passive strategies and
RE system sizes that should be implemented to achieve a NZE-design for a typical
residential building located in various climatic zones. In the optimization analysis, a
wide range of design and operating measures are considered including wall and roof
insulation levels, windows glazing type, WWR at eastern and western facades, cooling
and heating set points, PV and SDWH systems sizing. The proposed optimization
methodology is a powerful and useful tool to enhance NZEBs design and to facilitate
decision-making in early phases of building design. The stability and robustness of the
optimized solution, to ensure its independence of the DM preferences, is carried out
through a sensitivity analysis.
The optimum design parameters and their corresponding objective functions shows
that the annual thermal loads decrease in a range from 6.7% for Beirut to 33.1% for
Cedars, compared to the base case in different climates. Meanwhile the SDHW auxiliary
electric resistance and circulating pump electricity decrease ranges from 2.6% for
Nancy to 26.7% for Qartaba. Furthermore, the LCC decrease ranges from 0.8% for
Limoges to 31.0% for Cedars. The results of the analysis clearly indicates that,
regardless of the climate, for designing a residential NZEB, it is essential to minimize
space thermal load through passive strategies which is ensured by a building envelope
with high thermal performance. Moreover, the remaining energy demands (thermal,
hot water, lighting, and appliances) are covered to the maximum extent, by RE sources.
Furthermore, in all climates more emphasis should be placed on air conditioning set
points control, taking into account the occupants comfort. The adaptive comfort
approaches are promising methods to reduce the required times for cooling, heating,
and ventilation. In order to decide where to invest, the decision maker must at first
organize the priorities: whether to save money directly during the project initial
investments or to wait for 10–20 years to start getting profits. It is important to
mention that the optimal design feature of each country depends on the utility costs
and the implementation costs of energy efficient measures.