Net zero energy buildings: The next big step towards a better future

[ecis2016.org] Energy-efficient buildings can become the central pillar of India’s carbon-neutrality commitment

Climate change is real and it is here. Unseasonal rains across India, floods in Europe, wildfires in California and record-breaking summer temperatures – the impact of global warming is being felt in extreme weather events all around the world.

You are reading: Net zero energy buildings: The next big step towards a better future

Spurred by the toll exacted by extreme weather events and growing environmental consciousness among their populations, governments have begun to signal intent of becoming ‘greener’. India is no exception and has committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2070, at the recently concluded COP-26 climate conference in Glasgow.

While high-emissions areas of the economy have understandably been under the spotlight, the construction sector can deliver big gains in emissions reduction. India is industrialising and urbanising at a rapid rate. At the same time, and somewhat paradoxically, it is trying to clean up the air in its cities. Resource conservation and urbanisation are typically perceived as mutually exclusive but they need not be. The answer lies in Net Zero Energy buildings.

What are net zero-energy buildings?

Net zero energy buildings help mitigate climate change by significantly reducing emissions from energy use. They produce as much energy as they consume and the energy produced could be a mix of onsite and renewable energy sources offsite. In other words, they use secondary sources of energy that are renewable and minimise carbon footprint.

This is achieved by incorporating climate responsive design and technology interventions. Effective energy demand is met using renewable sources, which can be on-site or off-site. For example, a building or a facility can use renewable sources like solar PV, wind energy, or onsite geothermal energy, to meet demand. Such buildings also provide direct economic benefits, in the form of reduced energy consumption, improved energy efficiency and improved energy security.

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They enable improved energy access in underserved areas and better indoor and outdoor air quality. These buildings can even become energy secure and efficient, with the use of sophisticated home batteries and energy management systems that allow home owners to better control their energy use. Also, with the right planning, buildings can become net positive and enable its residents to lead low carbon lives.

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Policy and implementation

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) have calculated that implementing the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) across the country can prevent 1,065 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (from 2019) until 2030. Energy-efficient buildings can become the central pillar of India’s carbon neutrality commitment. Since the construction industry is a significant consumer of energy and has a significant carbon footprint, de-carbonising the sector is critical to achieving a sustainable low-carbon Indian economy. With this in mind, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) launched the ‘IGBC Net Zero Energy Buildings Rating System’ in 2018 for new constructions, as well as existing buildings. In the fight against climate change in India, the construction sector offers tremendous opportunities to reduce emissions.

Net zero energy buildings can be achieved by implementing the right strategy, design elements, construction materials and use of the right appliances during the use phase. The first step to achieve this, includes auditing the building’s energy demand through micro-climate analysis, simulations and on-site measurements. A climate-responsive design approach enables us to design thermally comfortable homes that do not have to rely on external cooling. Demand reduction is key to designing net zero buildings. The second step could be to identify and implement passive design features, as well as active strategies such as daylight sensors, occupancy sensors, motion sensors, efficient 5-star-rated air-conditioning and more. The third step involves carefully planning alternative strategies of energy supply, which are renewable and have minimal emissions. In case the total energy demand is not met through on-site renewable sources, off-site renewable sources can be utilised to fulfill the demand for energy.

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Realising the potential

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A rising population and mounting urbanisation have resulted in a growth spurt in construction (and energy consumption) of buildings. For a country like India, which is working not only to reduce pollution but also to dramatically improve access to energy in both, rural and urban areas, zero-carbon buildings are gaining added value. Net zero energy buildings could be a game-changer, not only for India’s construction sector but also for the energy sector, as every bit of electricity saved is electricity that can be deployed elsewhere. Net zero energy buildings can also potentially contribute to democratising power distribution and access to energy.

Despite the higher upfront costs associated with understanding, implementing and maintaining net zero energy usage, the rising awareness among stakeholders is accelerating the rate at which such measures are being adopted. Integrating this philosophy into the entire chain, right from conception and design of the project, can also significantly offset the upfront cost, as compared to simply retrofitting features into existing projects. Given the necessity and indeed the opportunity in sustainable construction, net zero energy buildings can be an indispensable part of India’s future real estate markets.

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Net zero energy buildings offer a feasible way to reduce energy consumption and enable lifetime reduced maintenance costs. The design and construction of these buildings are planned, so that they generate all the energy they need by combining energy-efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Public policy is one of the most effective ways to create economic incentives for the use of energy-efficient buildings and renewable energy sources. Since net zero energy buildings have a higher upfront cost, financial incentives can make such investments attractive. As an industry, the construction and real estate sector has a significant opportunity to mitigate the adverse impacts of carbon-intensive energy use through net zero energy projects for a sustainable future.

(The writer is head – sustainability at Mahindra Lifespaces)

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