Introduction - Modeling, Design, and Optimization of Net-Zero Energy Buildings - page 5

optimal operation of passive and active storage that utilizes real-time
weather prediction (Athienitis, Stylianou, and Shou, 1990).
New building technologies, such as phase change materials (PCM), active
façades with advanced daylighting devices, and building-integrated solar
systems, open up new challenges and possibilities to improve comfort and
reduce energy use and peak loads, and they need to be taken into account in
developing optimal control strategies. The energy requirements and control
needs of commercial and residential buildings are usually quite different.
Forexample,incommercialbuildings,coolingandlightingplaymajorroles,
while in houses, especially in cold climate regions, space heating and
domestic hot water heating dominate energy consumption.
Plug loads (e.g., due to appliances and office equipment) represent a large
portion of building energy consumption and their share is increasing, as
HVAC and lighting systems become more energy efficient. Demand
response strategies, such as scheduling of appliances, are becoming more
popular as a way to significantly reduce the impact of plug loads on peak
electric demand.
1.1.2 Design of Smart Net ZEBs and Modeling Issues
The design of smart net-zero energy buildings requires the following three
key approaches:
1. An integrated approach to energy efficiency and passive design;
2. An integrated approach to building design and operation. Optimized
net-zero energy buildings need to be designed based on anticipated
operation so as to have a largely predictable and manageable impact on
the grid. Smart buildings optimally linked with smart grids will enable a
reduction in the need to build new power plants; and,
3. The concept of solar optimization requires optimal design of building
form and orientation so as to provide the maximum capture of solar
energy from near-equatorial facing façades and roofs for conversion to
solar electricity, useful heat, and daylight.
To design a Net ZEB efficiently in an optimal manner, a rigorous
quantitative approach is required in all stages of design starting from the
conceptual phase. One of the unique challenges is how to handle the
interaction and integration between the energy generating systems (such
as building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal systems), the heating, cooling,