Nearly zero energy buildings
The EU Directive on the energy performance of buildings was adopted in 2002. It was intended to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, reduce carbon emissions and reduce the impact of climate change.
A recast directive 2010/31/EU was adopted on 19 May 2010 to strengthen energy performance requirements and to clarify and streamline some of the provisions from the 2002 Directive.
The recast directive suggests that buildings account for 40% of total energy consumption in the European Union, and that as the sector expands, so will its energy consumption. In order to reduce the Union’s energy dependency and to honour its commitment to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% below 1990 levels by 2020, it is necessary to reduce energy consumption in the building sector and to increase the proportion of energy from renewable sources. This will also help improve energy security.
A number of measures are set out to help achieve these objectives (see Energy Performance of Buildings Directive for more information).
Article 9 of the Directive requires member states ensure that:
- by 31 December 2020, all new buildings are nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB).
- After 31 December 2018, new buildings occupied and owned by public authorities are nearly zero-energy buildings.
It requires that member states draw up national plans for increasing the number of nearly zero-energy buildings and develop policies and take measures to stimulate the transformation of buildings that are refurbished into nearly zero-energy building.
However, member states may decide not to apply the requirements in specific and justifiable cases where cost-benefit analysis over the economic lifecycle of a building is negative.
Article 2 of the Directive defines a nearly zero-energy building as ‘…a building that has a very high energy performance, as determined in accordance with Annex I. The nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby.’
Annex 1 lists the items that should be considered in calculating the energy performance of a building, such as the building fabric, heating and cooling, ventilation, lighting and so on as well as positive influences that may be considered such as solar systems, cogeneration, district heating, natural lighting and so on.
However, it does not define a specific standard of performance that might be considered ‘nearly zero’ and instead, says that national plans should include, ‘detailed application in practice of the definition of nearly zero-energy buildings, reflecting their national, regional or local conditions, and including a numerical indicator of primary energy use expressed in kWh/m2 per year….’
There had been considered to be some alignment between the requirement for nearly zero-energy buildings and the UK definition of zero-carbon homes and zero-carbon non domestic buildings. However, on 10 July 2015, the government published ‘Fixing the foundations: creating a more prosperous nation’ a plan for increasing Britain’s productivity. Amongst a great number of wide-ranging changes, the report stated, 'The government does not intend to proceed with the zero carbon Allowable Solutions carbon offsetting scheme, or the proposed 2016 increase in on-site energy efficiency standards, but will keep energy efficiency standards under review, recognising that existing measures to increase energy efficiency of new buildings should be allowed time to become established.'
This announcement was made with no consultation and came as a surprise to much of the industry. It is not clear where this leaves the UK in terms of plans to implement the requirements of the directive.
There was an attempt to revive zero carbon homes as the Housing and Planning Bill 2015 went through the House of Lords, however, following some political ping pong between the Lords and the Commons, the proposed amendment to the Bill was defeated.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- A zero-carbon UK by 2050?
- Biotechnology: The key to zero energy buildings.
- Carbon footprint.
- Carbon negative.
- Carbon neutral.
- Carbon ratings for buildings.
- CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
- Display energy certificate.
- Emission rates.
- Energy Act.
- Energy performance certificate.
- How civil engineers can make cities better.
- Low or zero carbon technologies.
- Net zero carbon 2050.
- Net zero carbon buildings.
- Performance gap.
- What does net-zero emissions by 2050 mean for the infrastructure sector?
- What we need for the journey to net-zero carbon emissions.
- Wood and carbon.
- Zero Bills Home.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.
Featured articles and news
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
How to write an inspection and test plan
ITPs for quality control and assurance particular elements.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.
Winners of the 2024 ASBP Awards
Project, Product and Initiative according to the 6 pillars.
Comments
Does anyone know if this 'nearly zero' scheme has targets set in the UK?