On the Implementation of the Nearly Zero Energy Building Concept for Jointly Acting Renewables Self-Consumers in Mediterranean Climate Conditions

Faidra Kotarela, Anastasios Kyritsis and Nick Papanikolaou
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Faidra Kotarela: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100 Xanthi, Greece
Anastasios Kyritsis: Photovoltaic Systems and Distributed Generation Department, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving, 19009 Athens, Greece
Nick Papanikolaou: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100 Xanthi, Greece

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-29

Abstract: Cost-effective energy saving in the building sector is a high priority in Europe; The European Union has set ambitious targets for buildings’ energy performance in order to convert old energy-intensive ones into nearly zero energy buildings (nZEBs). This study focuses on the implementation of a collective self-consumption nZEB concept in Mediterranean climate conditions, considering a typical multi-family building (or apartment block) in the urban environment. The aggregated use of PVs, geothermal and energy storage systems allow the self-production and self-consumption of energy, in a way that the independence from fossil fuels and the reliability of the electricity grid are enhanced. The proposed nZEB implementation scheme will be analyzed from techno-economical perspective, presenting detailed calculations regarding the components dimensioning and costs-giving emphasis on life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) indexes—as well as the energy transactions between the building and the electricity grid. The main outcomes of this work are that the proposed nZEB implementation is a sustainable solution for the Mediterranean area, whereas the incorporation of electrical energy storage units—though beneficial for the reliability of the grid—calls for the implementation of positive policies regarding the reduction of their payback period.

Keywords: nZEB; photovoltaics; geothermal energy system; energy storage units; energy transactions; life cycle cost assessment; payback period (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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