Problem description: The buildings consume significant amounts of energy and are therefore major contributors to the overall CO2 emissions at the present time. The reduction of energy consumption in buildings is a major contribution to the overall control of global warming and to the improvement of sustainability. These reductions are essential as the world faces economic and energy crisis. An important key to the world’s energy problem is sustainable development. Taking the island of Cyprus as a case study, this thesis explores the different building categories and types, analyse building energy models and propose guidelines for the success development of Zero energy buildings in hot climates without compromising the comfort levels of the buildings. Purpose: The ultimate target is to be able to design and operate a building which requires no fossil fuel consumption – the so called “zero energy/carbon (emissions)” building. It is important for all countries to set a national goal in order to achieve zero energy consumption in the building sector and reduce the energy demands. Method: Through the theoretical research the project explored the causes of the problem of building energy, the different types of buildings, the definitions of zero energy buildings in various countries, regulations and standards concerning the buildings energy and all the available technology, methods and materials that can be used in the building sector. In this way the analysis presents the needs of the project and the point of focus during the practical part of the research with simulation of building models. The practical part of the project was the simulation of different building models in order to apply and check the theoretical findings and finally reach conclusions on the development of Zero energy buildings in hot climate countries. During the building simulation a variety of parameters such as the weather, the orientation, the shading methods, the insulation methods, the buildings materials, the glazing, the HVAC systems and building operation profiles were checked in order to find the appropriate combination of factors and achieve the zero energy building goals. Conclusions: This new approach to zero energy building, gives a new perspective to the energy consumption of the building and the indoor environment while also taking environmental impact from the building sector into account. This change in approach is a crucial part of the overall problem of how to achieve the ultimate goal of Zero Energy Buildings and how to convert buildings into “producers” of energy and help solve the world energy problem/crisis.

Buildings account for up to a third of total world greenhouse gas GHG emissions, and this pattern is expected to persist. By 2050, cities will be home to 70 % of the world's population, demanding a significant number of buildings to be constructed. Efforts to reduce these emissions in the past had varied performance. However, several examples indicate that well thought and adequately executed mix of building technology coupled with environmental policies may reduce emissions. Therefore, cities worldwide are joining the race to decarbonize their buildings to become net-zero carbon and support green economies through a diversified bundle of policies. However, designing and selecting the appropriate mix of building technology and environmental policies is challenging to generate the most outlast net-zero carbon impacts. This research aims to uncover the intersection between science and policy's role in achieving a global net-zero energy building sector. First, an urban comparative analysis for ten environment-leading cities has been made to understand the latest progress in the building sector and draw on future recommendations. The findings are thematically grouped into five themes a) Building's energy efficiency (energy demand sector). (b) Electrified renewable grids (energy supply sector). (c) Green fiscal incentives (d) Education and capacity building. (e) Governance and collaboration. Second, the University of Ottawa has been utilized as a part of the campus as a living lab initiative to examine installing photovoltaic panels over the campus buildings as part of the university expansion program to achieve net-zero operations by 2040. The following parameters have been considered to address the PV systems viability, 1) the expected electricity output. 2) the initial and operational costs. 3) the GHG reductions in operational energy. 4) the PV system embodied carbons. RETScreen Expert software has been used to perform the Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) to assess PV system output and financial viability. One Click-LCA software to carry-out Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess embodied carbons. The results indicate from analyzing 31 buildings that 20% - 107% of electricity can be offset depending on each building's energy use and solar collector area. Additionally, the 31 buildings analyzed for electricity generation collectively have the potential to save around 23% of the total campus electricity consumption with a production capacity of 18 million units (kWh) annually, including 21,108 solar panels. Also, the project shows financial viability only if the PV systems are installed as part of the whole campus with a Net Present Value (NPV) of $4,985,89 and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 11.4%. The analysis shows 24% and 18% maximum sensitivity to increased initial cost and decreased electricity generation/rate. Finally, the GHG estimated reductions over 25 years from generated electricity are 14,445 tCO2, and the estimated increased embodied carbons from the Life Cycle Assessment are set to be 1,023 tCO2. Additionally, drawing upon urban analysis and the case study, the research highlights the dynamic nature of the building sector emissions reduction and city initiatives. Thirdly, a detailed analysis was carried out in the System Advisor Model (SAM) software to integrate the solar system with energy storage in the Advanced Research Complex (ARC) Building at the University of Ottawa. The study assesses the system viability and helps the university to reduce its monthly electricity bill and help Ontario to maintain its grid reliability by keeping the electricity demand low at peak times. The findings show that using an integrated solar system with an energy storage system by mitigating 100%, 90%, 75%, and 50% of the building electricity demand during the Ontario gird peak could lead to a Net Present Value of $2,01, $1.70, $1.30, and $0.864 million over 25 years the lifetime of the project through the Ontario Global Adjustment Program. The study also shows that with the absence of the Ontario Global Adjustment Program as a fiscal reform tool and relying only on the time of use electricity rates, the solar panels with an energy storage system could lead to a negative Net Present Value of $-550 thousand.

Syfte: Dagens samhälle blir mer och mer energimedvetet och regeringen sätter upp riktlinjer för bland annat byggsektorn i form av nya regler från Boverket. Ett av den svenska regeringens mål för klimat- och energipolitiken är att till år 2020 minska klimatutsläppen med 40 % och energianvändningen ska vara 20 % effektivare än i dagsläget. Ett led i detta är att bygga byggnader som är mer energieffektiva eller till och med tillverkar sin egen energi. Byggbranschen i Sverige står i dagsläget för cirka 40 % av koldioxidutsläppen, majoriteten av utsläppen sker vid producering av energi som tillförs byggnaderna under brukningsskedet. Målet för arbetet är att granska lönsamheten hos off-grid-förskolor i en mindre kommun i Mellansverige ur ett ekonomiskt perspektiv. Metod: Arbetet är en fallstudie som undersöker projektering av förskolor som planerar byggas i en mindre kommun i Mellansverige. Förskolan ska vara självförsörjande på energi genom att ha solceller på taket tillsammans med vätgasbränsleceller. Med det systemet ska hela byggnadens energibehov kunna tillgodoses. Intervjuer genomförs med de aktörer som ska bygga förskolan, både från beställarsidan och utförarsidan. Dokumentanalys av bygghandlingar används för att göra en LCC-analys som jämför den planerade energikällan mot bergvärme och passivhus. Resultat: Det är inte ekonomiskt lönsamt att använda vätgasbränslecell med solceller som energikälla. LCC-analysen indikerar att det inte är lönsamt att investera i vätgasbränsleceller som energikälla eftersom initialkostnaden är så hög att den inte går att ta igen ekonomiskt under byggnadens livstid jämfört med de andra två alternativ som undersökts. Formfaktorn är bra men det finns utrymme för förbättringar främst i minskad fönsterarea och en mer kvadratisk byggnad som leder till minskad väggarea och därmed lägre byggpris. Både LCC-analysen och intervjuerna indikerar att vätgasbränsleceller är en dyr teknik i dagsläget. Det behövs fler satsningar från politiskt håll för att få igång debatt om bränsleceller och skapa förutsättningar för att företag och privatpersoner ska kunna satsa på tekniken. Det kan dock vara lönsamt för en kommun på andra sätt, till exempel genom att ny industri och fler jobb lockas till kommunen. Konsekvenser: Slutsatsen är att det i dagsläget inte verkar vara lönsamt med vätgasbränslecell som energikälla. Ämnet behöver studeras i större perspektiv där den nya industrin som genereras av kommunens satsning på vätgasbränsleceller tas i beaktning. Begränsningar: Studien utgår från det planerade projektet i Mariestads kommun och har inte jämförts med några andra liknande projekt. Studien tittar på initial- och driftkostnader och tar inte med miljöaspekten i värderingen om lönsamhet. / Purpose: Today’s society is becoming more and more energy conscious and the government sets guidelines for, inter alia, the construction sector in the form of new regulations by the Boverket. One of the Swedish government´s goals for climate and energy policy is to reduce climate emissions by 40% and 20% more efficient energy use than now. A part of this is to build buildings that are more energy efficient or even produce their own energy. The construction industry is Sweden currently accounts for about 40% of the carbon dioxide emissons, the majority of emissions occur in the production of energy supplied to buildings during the use phase. The aim of the work is to review the profitability of off-grid preschools in a small municipality in central Sweden from an economic perspective. Method: This study is a case study that investigates the planned project of kindergartens in a smaller municipality in mid-Sweden. The kindergarten is supposed to be off-grid, self-sustained, in energy using photo voltaic cells on the roof together with hydrogen fuel cells. With this system the entire energy need of the building will be provided. Interviews are performed with participants of the project, both client and contractor. A document analysis is used to make an LCC analysis that compares the intended energy source with a geothermal one and zero energy building. Findings: It is not economically profitable to use hydrogen fuel cell in conjunction with photo voltaic cells as an energy source. The LCC analysis indicates that it is not profitable to invest in hydrogen fuel cells as an energy source since the initial cost is so high that it can´t be recouped within the life span of the building compared to the two other options investigated. The form factor is good but there is room for improvements especially in cut window area and a square shaped building that leads to smaller wall area and therefore less expensive building. Both the LCC analysis and the interviews indicate that hydrogen fuel cells as of today is an expensive technique. More political engagement is required to start debate about fuel cells and to create conditions for companies and individuals to be able to invest in the technique. It can however be profitable for a municipality in other ways, i.e. new industries and more jobs in the municipality. Implications: The conclusion is that it is not economically profitable to use hydrogen fuel cells as an energy source. The subject needs to be studied in a greater context considering the new industries generated by the municipality’s investment in hydrogen fuel cells. Limitations: The study generates from the planned project in Mariestads municipality and has not compared with other similar projects. The study investigates initial costs and maintenance costs and does not consider the environmental aspect in profitability.

Being the major energy consumer of electricity and natural gas, buildings consume more than 70% of electricity and 30% of natural gas. On the way to green buildings and zero energy buildings, investigation and improvement of energy efficiency of the buildings will result in significant reductions in energy demands and CO2 emissions / make cost savings and improve thermal comfort as well. Key steps of a successful green, energy efficient building can be summarized as whole building design, site design, building envelope design, lighting and day lighting design and HVAC system design. Energy Plus&reg / software is mainly developed to simulate the performance of the buildings in the view of the above listed points. The design of a building or the analysis of an existing building with the software will show how efficient the building is or will be, and also helps finding the best efficient choice of the whole building system. Thesis focuses on the effect of changes in building envelope properties. In Turkey, topic of green buildings has recently started to be studied. Therefore, this thesis aims to present efficient technologies providing energy savings in buildings, to present green building concept and alternative energy simulation software. In the context of this study, design, methods and material guidelines are introduced to reduce energy needs of buildings and to bring in the green building design concept. Building and system parameters to enhance building energy efficiency and energy savings together with green building principles are summarized. Moreover, whole building energy analysis methods and simulation steps are explained / year-round simulation is performed for a sample building / as a result, energy savings about 36% is achieved.

This doctoral thesis proposes a new method of energy retrofitting of existing residential buildings towards nearly zero-energy status. The topic of energy retrofitting of existing buildings is widely discussed and lamented within the European Union and the Member states and is enshrined in the Directive 2010/31/EU. This research is in line with the European Union strategy Europe 2020 which sets targets for climate change and energy sustainability. The thesis describes the study of building energy performance of a pilot energy retrofitted residential building towards nearly zero-energy where progressive design technologies, such as energy modelling, monitoring, building optimisation and verification were used. This case study helped to formulate the recommendations on the effectiveness of various passive and active design methods together with renewable energy systems and after the extensive research it contributes to model and verify the future expectation and energy efficiency requirements of the residential market.

Without decarbonizing cities energy and climate objectives cannot be achieved as cities account for approximately two thirds of energy consumption and emissions. This goal of decarbonizing cities has to be facilitated by promoting net-zero/positive energy buildings and districts and replicating them, driving cities towards sustainability goals. Many projects in smart cities demonstrate novel and groundbreaking low-carbon solutions in demonstration and lighthouse projects. However, as the historical, geographic, political, social and economic context of urban areas vary greatly, it is not always easy to repeat the solution in another city or even district. It is therefore important to look for the opportunities to scale up or repeat successful pilots. The purpose of this paper is to explore common trends in technologies and replication strategies for positive energy buildings or districts in smart city projects, based on the practical experience from a case study in Leipzig—one of the lighthouse cities in the project SPARCS. One of the key findings the paper has proven is the necessity of a profound replication modelling to deepen the understanding of upscaling processes. Three models analyzed in this article are able to provide a multidimensional representation of the solution to be replicated.

Objectives set by the EU means that all buildings after 2020 has to be nearly zero energy buildings. This means that thicker layers of insulation have to be added in the wall construction which makes the wall thicker. It means that the living area will be reduced. Vacuum insulation is a highly effective type of insulation and because of its low thermal conductivity it has the ability to reduce the thickness in wall structures. This project investigates a proposal to apply vacuum insulation in one-storey buildings. In order to achieve the goals of the project, a proposal for a one-storey building was developed. Calculations have been made and the proposal was developed as an alternative to show how to construct a family home containing vacuum insulation. The empirical data was collected through interviews, document analysis and literature studies. The collected data was analyzed together with the theoretical framework that has been developed through literature studies and document analysis. Creating a wall construction containing vacuum insulation as a primary insulation usually means that the wall will be considerably thinner than a wall construction with traditional insulation. This means that living area can be saved. Vacuum insulation has to be protected properly as it is easily punctured where upon it loses the most of its insulation capacity. Vacuum insulation is not common on the Swedish construction market today, this is due to many factors, including its high price. Vacuum insulation is a good problem solver which can be used in bay windows to gain extra space. One can also make use for it in tight spaces. From an economic point of view vacuum insulation offers the greatest advantages in cities where living space is considerably higher than in rural areas. To take part of the work there is no need for prior knowledge about vacuum insulation. The project focuses only on wall structures in the single-storey villas, therefor, no indentations has been made on the floor- and roof structures or other building types. The project only focuses on newly constructed buildings. No calculations are made for moisture or production costs. / Mål uppsatta av EU innebär att samtliga byggnader som uppförs vid år 2020 måste vara nära-nollenergihus. För väggarna i konstruktionen innebär det att tjockare lager av isolering måste adderas vilket ger bredare väggkonstruktioner. Bredare väggkonstruktioner innebär även att boarean minskas. Vakuumisolering är ett högeffektivt isoleringsmaterial som genom sin låga värmeledningsförmåga har möjligheten att minska tjockleken vid väggkonstruktioner på grund av dess tunna skikt. Arbetet utreder ett förslag att applicera vakuumisolering i enplansvillor. För att uppnå arbetets mål har ett förslag på enplansvilla tagits fram. Beräkningar har gjorts och förslaget är framtaget som ett alternativ för att visa hur en villa innehållande vakuumisolering kan utformas. Det empiriska materialet har samlats in genom intervjuer, dokumentanalyser samt litteraturstudier. Empirin analyseras sedan tillsammans med det framtagna teoretiska ramverket genom litteraturstudier och dokumentanalyser. Att skapa en väggkonstruktion med vakuumisolering som primär isolering betyder oftast att väggen blir avsevärt mycket tunnare än en väggkonstruktion av traditionell isolering, vilket betyder att boarea kan sparas. Vakuumisolering måste skyddas på rätt sätt i väggkonstruktioner eftersom materialet lätt punkteras varpå det förlorar den största delen av sin isoleringsförmåga. Idag är inte vakuumisolering utbrett på den svenska byggmarknaden vilket beror på många faktorer, bland annat dess höga pris. Vakuumisolering är en väldigt bra problemlösare som med fördel kan användas i burspråk för att vinna extra utrymme. Det kan även användas i trånga utrymmen som elnischar. Ur ekonomisk synpunkt ger vakuumisolering störst fördel i städer där boarea per kvadratmeter är högre än motsvarande på landsbygden. För att ta del av arbetet krävs inga förkunskaper om vakuumisolering. Arbetet fokuserar endast på väggkonstruktioner i enplansvillor, därför har inga fördjupningar skett på golv- och takkonstruktioner eller andra byggnadstyper. Enbart nybyggnationer av trästommar är utrett. Beräkningar är inte gjorda för fukt och produktionskostnader.

This thesis investigated application of the heat recovery ventilation using an exhaust air heat pump and a roof top photovoltaic (PV) system for a group of three multi-family houses located in Ludvika, Sunnansjö. The buildings in the existing condition have mechanical ventilation and a centralized heating system consists of a pellet boiler as the main source and an oil boiler as back up. Exhaust air heat pump (EAHP) has been known by the previous relevant researches as an effective solution to promote the energy efficiency in the buildings. Furthermore, reduction in PV cost has made the PV as a financially viable option to be contributed in supplying electricity demand. In this respect, this thesis aimed to calculate the potential of energy saving in the case study using the combination of EAHP and PV. For this purpose, the buildings and the proposed energy system were simulated to enable the comparison of energy demand before and after the renovation. The simulation was gradually progressed through several phases and each stage created the prerequisites of the next. Since the buildings were relatively similar in terms of boundary conditions, one of the buildings were initially modeled and the concluded space heating (SH) demand was extrapolated to the three buildings scope. The simulation of the building was done using 3dimensional thermal model offered by Trnsys3d. The primary results were also calibrated against the available annual fuel consumption data. In the second phase, a pre-developed TRNSYS model of the energy system was completed using the result of previous step as the total SH demand as well as the estimated domestic hot water (DHW) consumption from a stochastic model. This simulation produced the electricity demand profile of the heat pump when the heat pump provided the total heat demand. Subsequently, the electricity consumption of the flats and operational equipment were estimated using stochastic model and available monthly measurement, respectively. Since the feasibility and optimal placement of 74 𝑘𝑊 PV modules offered for these buildings had been already examined by the author in another study, the final simulation were performed in an hourly basis considering PV production and total electricity demand; i.e. EAHP, flats consumption and operational equipment. The results of the simulation showed that 21 % of total electricity demand during a year could be supplied by the proposed PV system even without any electrical storage, whereas 74 % of total yearly PV production is consumed by the local loads. The results also proved that removing old inefficient oil boiler and supplementing the pellet boiler with the combination of EAHP and PV could mitigate the annual purchased energy (including electricity and pellet) by approximately 40 % compared to the current condition.

Diploma thesis is focus on ventilation systems in Zero energy building and indoor air quality. Whole thesis has three part. First is about theory, where you can find law regulations and standards connected wit nZEB, factors influence IAQ and introduced ventilations systems. Second part is focus on particles transport in buildings like a nZEB and in heat recovery units. Last part of the thesis shows own design of the nZEB for Nový Lískovec.

Purpose: This degree project aims to see how the energy demand from active heating of detached houses can be improved to meet the energy performance requirements set for nearly zero-energy buildings by Boverket (The Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning). Method: To accomplish this, the benefits from two different energy-saving installations are studied: bedrock heat pumps and heat exchangers in Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems (HRV-systems). These are then compared in a new and an older detached house with very different heat losses. There are several reports of energy-saving systems in detached houses. What distinguishes this work is that it compares the specific results from the added energy-saving system depending on whether it was added first or last. The older detached house is an important part of this work as it represents a possible impact on parts of the existing housing stock with a similar technical standard. The energy balance for the buildings is calculated monthly with all contributions from passive heat considered, and with the energy demand for active heating as the main result. Results: It is very difficult to meet the energy performance requirements for an older detached house without extensive measures or renovations. The HRV-system had a low to very low impact. Both types of detached houses have a lot to gain from an investment in bedrock heating, especially the older one that has high energy demands. However, the new detached house with a higher technical standard in the building envelope, was the only one to meet the energy requirements with the bedrock heat pump on its own. Conclusion: Bedrock heating can be a very profitable investment as it provides heat both for the active heating of the building as well as for the domestic hot water. In order to meet tougher energy requirements, the bedrock heat pump may need to be accompanied by an improved and more energy-efficient building envelope and the supply of self-produced electricity, such as solar cells. HRV-systems require a good air tightness and an energy-efficient building envelope to be profitable. In older detached houses, it is not a profitable investment, as it does not have sufficiently large proportions of controlled ventilation to work with. In newer houses the proportion of controlled ventilation is bigger, but the amount of heat loss that can be affected is still not as big as the energy savings a bedrock heat pump can bring.