A model for cost-optimal simulation of new Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) in Europe
The recast of the Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) establishes that new buildings occupied and owned by public authorities have to be nearly zero energy buildings (nZEBs) after December 31, 2018 and that all new buildings have to be nZEBs by December 31, 2020. The Directive also requires Member States to account for cost-optimality and to establish minimum energy performance requirements leading to the lowest building costs. Reaching buildings requiring nearly zero energy consumption at the lowest cost is still an open challenge through Europe.
This report evaluates the feasibility of EU requirements for new nZEBs constructions located in different European cities. With this aim an energy simulation and cost optimization model has been developed. The model performs hourly sequential simulations showing how to best achieve a nearly zero energy design at the lowest cost in 14 locations across Europe. The model has been adapted to run in a new residential building prototype using local hourly climatic data, relevant construction methods, cost data and unit energy consumption. A novel aspect is the inclusion of future climate change relative to estimated cooling loads.
A key finding of the research is that 90% source energy reductions compared with a baseline case are feasible for new constructions in all selected locations. Results highlight how the impact of selected measures varies with climate and how in each location final costs are different. They also confirm the importance of both renewables and energy efficiency measures to reach the nZEBs target.
D'AGOSTINO Delia;
PARKER Danny;
2023-09-08
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC106218
978-92-79-67779-3,
1831-9424,
EUR 28551 EN,
OP KJ-NA-28551-EN-N,
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC106218,
10.2760/001562,
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