NZEB Analyses by Means of Dynamic Simulation and Experimental Monitoring in Mediterranean Climate

Abstract

The reduction of energy consumption in the building sector has promoted the spread of the NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) model. A future target is represented by positive-energy buildings (PEB), which produce more energy than they consume. The study is centred on the examination of some peculiarities of NZEB through a case study and on the analysis of opportunities for further increase in energy performance, to trace the road that each designer should take, through an extensive evaluation of the potentials variations on the project that could lead to better results. The project assessments are developed through a dynamic simulation model and the data from the monitoring of the building’s performance are used to evaluate the actual energy saving conditions. The analyses demonstrate the importance of an accurate design of the envelope and technical building systems associated with a smart management of the control systems and the setting of the set points, for the optimal operation of the systems. Ambitious but feasible design choices and an accurate analysis of the possibility of increasing the energy performance of a NZEB can lead to reaching the PEB target and energy independence, enhancing the production of energy from renewable sources.

Keywords

• energy efficiency policy
• nearly zero energy building
• Positive Energy Building
• energy performance of buildings
• thermal behaviour
• thermal dynamic simulation