Zero Energy Building in Ireland: A Solution to Reduce Non-Renewable Energy Use

CIVIL ENGINEERING
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Section 1: (Problem Definition & principle research question & Main Objectives)

Problem Statement
According to various studies, there is consumption of up to 40% of the total energy in Ireland by
the building or national production. The use of the fossil fuels in Ireland has brought the country
into a position which is not accepted ecologically. Also there is production of over 36% of CO2
gas. The country has made a priority to have the emission of CO2 gas by almost 20% by 2020..
Renewable Sources of energy are known to be self-sustaining. Other than being found in nature,
they can be used for an infinite duration (Goodbody et al 2013).
Just like other countries, Ireland has figured out its own portfolio in terms of the energy which is
consistent with the endowed resources of energy. This goes alongside employment of the
technologies which are viable economically as well as being equitable socially besides having
very minimum destructive impacts. Most of the buildings in Ireland consume a lot of energy to
support various activities. Some these activities include heating of water, turning on of lights,
cooling of air and finally to power some of the personal devices which needs energy for their
operations (Mc Garrigle, Deane, and Leahy 2013).
Principle Research question
 How can the environmental protection be achieved through reduction of the non-
renewable energy source use?
Main Objectives
In order to manage the crisis of energy, the country considers several solutions including the
concept of Zero Energy Building. A zero energy building refers to those structures which are
known for the consumption of renewable energy sources which have been installed around or on
the building itself. This implies that the quantity of the energy which is used to support some of
the crucial activities in the structure can be generated from the building itself. When the
conditions of weather are never favorable, energy will be withdrawn by the building from the
electrical grid. After the conditions have undergone improvement, the renewable system of the
onsite will cover the demands of energy of the building. During this process, any excess energy
will be send to the country’s electrical grid. The objective of the study is to implement the use of
the concept of Zero Energy Building in Ireland while employing renewable sources of energy to
protect the environment.
Section 2 (Methodology)
The research work will be based on review of the secondary sources of data on the possible
sources of energy in regard to the use of the renewable energy sources in Ireland. This will
include reports among others.
The framework of the research work will be per the outline shared below

Section 3 (Project Plan)
Proposed Project plan after approval
Time in Months
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
Project Rationale Aims & Objectives
Introductio
nTechnology of Zero
Building Resources:
 Journals
 Research articles
 Books
 Reports
Literature Review
ENERGY Concepts
Research Gap Experimental
Investigation
Methodology
Performanc
e Measure
of of
Grid Evaluation Energy Rate
Consumption
Results and Discussions
Conclusion and Recommendations