What Is a Zero Energy Building?
Zero Energy Office Building
The term “zero-energy building” (or “zero net energy building”) is used to designate structures that have no net energy consumption and produce no carbon emissions. Many people in developing countries already live in zero-energy buildings such as huts, shacks and caves with no access to electricity. Of course, not many people in industrialized countries have romantic notions of living in a yurt.
The idea of zero net energy buildings is a relatively novel one in developed nations. Many of them employ highly efficient lighting and HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption, coupled with renewable energy generating technologies like photovoltaic solar cells and wind turbines to fulfill the remaining energy needs. Continue reading
