An Adaptable Net Zero Model: Energy Analysis of a Monitored Case Study

Haleh Moghaddasi, Charles Culp, Jorge Vanegas, Saptarshi Das and Mehrdad Ehsani
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Haleh Moghaddasi: Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Charles Culp: Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Jorge Vanegas: Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Saptarshi Das: Fellow, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Albany, NY 12203, USA
Mehrdad Ehsani: Department of Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-24

Abstract: Increased efforts toward climate change mitigation and achieving net zero (NZ) are occurring globally. This research addresses three challenges to meeting the target NZ goals: (1) quantifying energy use reduction approaches, including energy efficiency and renewable power; (2) obtaining measured data to verify NZ achievements; and (3) providing NZ definitions to a globally understandable concept. To do so, a reorganized NZ concept (NZX% ( ORG) ) is proposed that is practical, measurable, and adaptable to different regions and requirements. The “X%” presents the fraction of renewable energy to the total energy used, and the “ORG” defines the organization’s NZ definition that a project uses. The objective of this proposal is to create a universally NZ concept and method, using measured utility power data, by (1) determining a baseline NZX% ( ORG) ; (2) projecting an optimized NZX% ( ORG) ; (3) measuring and reporting the actual NZX% ( ORG) . This application is extendable from a building level to the community, city, and country levels (NZCX% ( ORG) ). The Serenbe community, a monitored case study in Georgia, was analyzed. The baseline NZ rating using metered data was NZC16% (ASHRAE) . The analysis showed that improved energy efficiency measures (lighting, windows glazing, air sealing) along with increased on-site solar power generation (from 10% to 25% of all roof space), provided a projected NZC80% (ASHRAE) . In addition, publicly available documentation of the measured utility power is required for reporting the actual NZCX% (ORG) in Serenbe. Using NZX% (ORG) provides recognition of partial success in moving toward 100% renewable power.

Keywords: reorganized net zero concepts; renewable power production; energy efficiency measures; monitored case study analysis; adaptable requirements; net zero verification (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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