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Towards Zero Energy Buildings in Israel: Models, criteria and methodology towards a road map for local adaptation
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In Israel, the discussion on Zero Energy Buildings is in its very early stages, and thus the opportunity is there to responsively adapt the term ZEB to the specific opportunities and challenges the local context brings, considering the knowledge which had been accumulated on this topic globally. The research is built from four main sections – the first includes a wide literature review which aims to map the field of Zero Energy Buildings focusing on definitions, criteria, methodology and policy. The second part focuses on the Israeli context and uses the models and criteria studied to evaluate the potential of their implementation in the local context. The following analytic part is built upon a sensitivity analysis which aims to supply a preliminary evaluation of the potential to achieve zero energy performance in different building uses and typologies typical to the Israeli city. The last part gathers meaningful observations gathered along the research process and offers a road map composed from policy guidelines, model definitions and future research indication to adapt the Zero Energy concept to the Israeli context.
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A significant urban heat island (UHI) was identified in Tel-Aviv on a stable winter day. The UHI detection was performed using air temperatures at both the roof and the street levels (using fixed-station and car-traverse measurements) and at the surface level (using an airborne thermal video radiometer [TVR]). Whereas the complex microscale characteristics of the UHI studied by the TVR at the surface level showed variations of up to 10°C, at the street level, air temperature variations of 3–5°C were identified between the city center and the surrounding areas. It was found that during the nighttime, the warm Mediterranean Sea has a moderating effect on the roof-level temperatures, whereas, at the street level, the urban heat island is more pronounced. The combined method of monitoring the UHI from different levels and on different scales for the first time enabled a spatial assessment of the city’s UHI and its diverse thermal coverage characteristics. The thermal differences of neighborhoods, urban activity and urban components were compared. It was demonstrated that the city cover plays an important role in the thermal activity of Tel-Aviv. A similar UHI spatial pattern was obtained using isotherm maps, generated from the air temperatures at street level, and thermal images, generated by the TVR at the surface level. It was concluded that there are differences in the magnitude of the UHI at different levels of the canopy layer and at different times, but the UHI pattern has similar trends.
A net zero-energy building (ZEB) is a residential or commercial building with greatly reduced energy needs through efficiency gains such that the balance of energy needs can be supplied with renewable technologies. Despite the excitement over the phrase "zero energy," we lack a common definition, or even a common understanding, of what it means. In this paper, we use a sample of current generation low-energy buildings to explore the concept of zero energy: what it means, why a clear and measurable definition is needed, and how we have progressed toward the ZEB goal. The way the zero energy goal is defined affects the choices designers make to achieve this goal and whether they can claim success. The ZEB definition can emphasize demand-side or supply strategies and whether fuel switching and conversion accounting are appropriate to meet a ZEB goal. Four well-documented definitions—net-zero site energy, net-zero source energy, net-zero energy costs, and net-zero energy emissions—are studied; pluses and minuses of each are discussed. These definitions are applied to a set of low-energy buildings for which extensive energy data are available. This study shows the design impacts of the definition used for ZEB and the large difference between definitions. It also looks at sample utility rate structures and their impact on the zero energy scenarios.
Net zero energy buildings, equilibrium buildings or carbon neutral cities – depending
on location and the reasons for making the calculation, the numbers are run
differently. The variety of terms in use indicates that a scientific method is still
lacking – which is a problem not just in regard to international communication,
but also with respect to planning processes as a response to energy challenges.
The clarification and meaning of the most important terms in use is extremely important
for their implementation. Since October 2008, a panel of experts from an
international energy agency has concerned itself with these topics. The objective
is to analyse exemplary buildings that are near a zero-energy balance in order to
develop methods and tools for the planning, design and operation of such buildings.
The results are documented in this publication: In addition to the presentation of
select projects, it is not just architectural showcase projects that are shown – the
focus is on relaying knowledge and experience gained by planners and builders.
- Representation of a comprehensive balancing methodology
- Explanation and usage contexts of crucial terminology
- Energy balancing in building practice
- Implementation examples of zero energy and plus energy buildings
- Typology-oriented cross-sectional views of international projects
The term Net ZEB, Net Zero Energy Building, indicates a building connected to the energy grids. It is recognized that the sole satisfaction of an annual balance is not sufficient to fully characterize Net ZEBs and the interaction between buildings and energy grids need to be addressed. It is also recognized that different definitions are possible, in accordance with a country's political targets and specific conditions. This paper presents a consistent framework for setting Net ZEB definitions. Evaluation of the criteria in the definition framework and selection of the related options becomes a methodology to set Net ZEB definitions in a systematic way. The balance concept is central in the definition framework and two major types of balance are identified, namely the import/export balance and the load/generation balance. As compromise between the two a simplified monthly net balance is also described. Concerning the temporal energy match, two major characteristics are described to reflect a Net ZEB's ability to match its own load by on-site generation and to work beneficially with respect to the needs of the local grids. Possible indicators are presented and the concept of grid interaction flexibility is introduced as a desirable target in the building energy design.
The technical feasibility of zero net energy buildings in California
- Arup North
- America Ltd
Arup North America Ltd. (2012). The technical feasibility of zero net energy buildings
in California. ZNE/219664 Final Report
http://www.energydataweb.com/cpucfiles/pdadocs/904/california_zne_technical_feasi
bility_report_final.pdf
Towards nearly zero-energy buildings-Definition of common principles under the EPBD
ECOFYS (2013(. Towards nearly zero-energy buildings-Definition of common
principles under the EPBD. Final report.
A common definition for zero energy buildings
- K Peterson
- P Torcellini
- R Grant
Peterson, K., Torcellini, P., & Grant, R. (2015). A common definition for zero energy
buildings. U.S. Department of Energy.