New Methods of Technology for Zero Net Energy Buildings

Abstract
The main objective highlighted in this report is the new methods of technology applied in the
construction of zero net energy buildings in regard to the new materials of construction, energy
consumption, innovative procedures, renewable energies, managements system and the reuse
and the recycling of materials. The report gives an account of the importance of our selection in
terms of the construction
The report goes ahead to give the differences and feasibility of using net zero carbon energy
components of construction by comparing the emission of carbon energy emission of two houses
that are both located in Melbourne and having the same layout plan. One of the house was
named as YH, this house is constructed using the traditional method and selection of materials
while the other house named as RH has a selection of new materials with more innovative
methods of construction with both houses having a life cycle of 40 years.
The methodology used to carry out the analysis of the two houses was by running the building
designs through HOMER software and energy plus. The results obtained after running the analysis
included the embodied carbon energy, the saving of embodied energy, and the financial
conditions of the houses.
Finally the report concluded by giving the findings and recommended better methods that can be
used to improve the construction of houses in order to meet the requirements of net zero energy
emission.
1 | P a g e

Contents
Abstract...........................................................................................................................................1
Introduction............................................................................................................................3
2.1 Review low/zero carbon design technology.......................................................................5
Selection of low carbon construction materials...........................................................................5
Innovative Construction Process..................................................................................................8
Renewable Energy......................................................................................................................14
2.2 YH Details........................................................................................................................20
YH detail construction material..................................................................................................21
Detail Construction Process for YH............................................................................................22
Details of YH heating/cooling, hot water, and appliances.........................................................23
2.3 RH Details........................................................................................................................24
Selection of construction materials...........................................................................................24
Your Selection of manufacturing constituents for RH that need less replacement/maintenance
over their service life..................................................................................................................27
Your selection of construction process that has fewer carbon emissions for RH......................29
Your approach to reuse and recycle construction materials for RH..........................................29
Your Energy management design to reduce energy consumption for heating/cooling............30
Your energy management design to reduce energy consumption for hot water, and Appliances
...................................................................................................................................................31
Your selection of on-site renewable energy..............................................................................32
2.4 Estimating the annual and total carbon emission over the service life of YH and RH.........35
Estimation of embodied carbon emission of YH and RH Construction Material.......................35
Estimation of carbon emission related to the construction of YH and RH.................................37
Estimation of carbon emission related to maintenance............................................................38
Estimation of carbon emission from wastes of your rebuilt/redesigned home........................40
Estimation of operating carbon emission in relation to the daily usage for hot water, and all
appliances of YH and RH............................................................................................................41
Estimation of operating carbon emission in relation to the daily usage for heating and cooling
of YH and RH..............................................................................................................................43
2.5 Use HOMER to design on-site renewable energy supply to achieve ‘net-zero-emission’ over
the service life of RH (e.g. 40 years).......................................................................................46
Released Carbon Dioxide Benefits.............................................................................................61
2.6 Estimate cost and benefit (e.g. energy saving) of RH in comparison with YH.....................62
2.7 Discuss the feasibility and challenges of implementing RH, and the Ways to overcome the
challenges.............................................................................................................................63
References............................................................................................................................65
2 | P a g e

Introduction
The construction industry has a great impact on our lives and the environment in that about 45%
of basic energy produced on earth is utilized by residential habitats. This energy used also impacts
largely on the environment to cause climate change and air pollution in a market where the
pollutant non-renewable energy continues to dominate (Anderson & Shiers, 2009). The world is
gradually gaining more insight into the built environment and how it affects our surroundings and
hence measures are being taken by various stakeholders to construct environmentally friendly
buildings by legislation, reviewing building codes to reduce impacts on the environment. Some of
the major impacts include global warming and climate change, which have already hazardous
disasters on our planet such severe droughts, floods and increase in ocean water levels (Balzani &
Armaroli, 2010).
A good example of a government taking action is in California where it has stated a well
detailed goal and vision that requires all existing and future residential houses to be converted
into net zero emission homes by the year 2020 (Balzani & Armaroli, 2010). The vision has also
stated that the commercial buildings in the state should meet similar standards in the beginning of
2030 (Bergh, 2008).This vision aligns itself with the Energy Independence and Security Act which
was passed in the year 2007. This bill stipulates total elimination or reduction in the use of fossil
fuel energy in upcoming federal projects by the year 2030 (Bergh, 2008). Due to these actions
being taken, contractors are adapting to meet these goals and soon net zero certified buildings
would start to become a norm.
Research from America’s department of Energy shows that a building, which has achieved
net zero emission status, is any building, which has been able to greatly reduce its energy
requirements through maximizing energy efficiency through balancing energy requirements
usually, supplied using renewable energy (Borenstein, 2008). Vigorous and articulate planning is
mandatory to achieve a home with these kinds of energy usage standards. Regulations have to be
abided to in order for energy consumption to be set to the minimum and extra energy systems
have to be installed to enable the home produce energy.
Net zero emission homes were started and developed in the 2000s mainly due the urge to run an
economy on environmental friendly activities and to reduce the cause of climate change
(Borenstein, 2008). In the near past, the American government was able to complete the
construction of a research facility situated in Colorado USA (Bergh, 2008). It conducted research
on net zero emissions and the project was able achieved a net zero emission threshold by altering
3 | P a g e

the design process during building. Many policies were affected during building which were all
geared towards energy saving which included extra sources of energy such as 1.6 megawatts of
photovoltaic power via a power purchase agreement (Construction Limited Company, 2010). They
also involved incorporating day lighting, a hundred percent natural ventilation and they went
ahead to build a data Centre which they made sure that it was energy conserving and efficient.
There are several buildings in the world that have achieved net zero emission status but the most
notable is Adam Joseph Lewis built categorically to be utilized for Environmental research and
study situated in Oberlin University in the United States (Dixit, et al., 2010).
It is evident that the world is facing new challenges in dealing with carbon emission from buildings
which has the highest contribution to global warming. Therefore, as professions in the built
environment, our main goal is to come up with new technologies that will help reduce emission of
carbon to the environment. Houses built using materials of low carbon energy have demonstrated
that they are effective in mitigating climate change (Dixit, et al., 2010)
.
This report attempts to explain the impact of houses on climate change by introducing two
building with different selection of materials and calculating their embodied carbon energy and
the cost of saving when using renewable sources of energy. To conclude, the report will highlight
the possibility of constructing a net zero energy building and the challenges that are being faced in
its implementation.
5 | P a g e
4 | P a g e

2.1 Review low/zero carbon design technology
Selection of low carbon construction materials
Embodied carbon refers to the total amount of carbon gases such as carbon monoxide and
carbon dioxide produced during the whole production process of a certain material. Reducing
embodied carbon is one of the most practical ways in achieving net zero emission homes
(Goswami, 2004).
Embodied carbon can be presented as a core environmental indicators or as a single indicator
normally measured when carrying out Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) (Ameli & Brandt, 2015).
Life Cycle Assessment method is used to assess a wide range of environmental impacts that
are as a result of materials, which are also a source of embodied carbon.
All the building elements and materials contribute a certain percentage of embodied carbon
energy. Below is a well-structured list that shows the sources of embodied carbon:
 Steel for frame, infrastructure and stairs 35%
 Piling 4.2%
 Raised floor 4.5%
 Walls & partitions 2.0%
 Cladding 8.5%
 Electricity used in site offices 4.2%
 Roof 2.8%
 Waste 1.9%
 Vehicle delivery 1.9%
 Concrete Works 19%
 Diesel used in machinery, and plants 5.3%
5 | P a g e

By having the knowledge of the amount of carbon emitted by different materials, as
designers we can make better choices when selecting the type o material to be used for
construction.
According to the analysis of embodied energy percentages above, it shows that the choice of
selecting concrete and steel for construction works proves to be very critical due to their high
percentage of carbon content. However, steel is more advantageous compared to concrete
because steel can be recycle and a reused steel normally have a lower carbon content hence less
carbon emission compared to concrete (Hui, 2010).
In addition, steel structures are always lighter than concrete buildings. However, we can also use
precast concrete for suspended floors since the precast panels usually have low content of carbon
energy which is as a result during their controlled production (Hui, 2010). Another alternative is
using a thinner slabs by pouring less concrete, since study shows that the thinner the concrete
slab the lesser the carbon content.
A number of research are being carried out to improve and invent construction materials that
have low carbon content. There are many examples of low carbon materials, which have been
invented recently, and they can be used as alternative materials for our first option. These
materials include:
- Blended Cements
Mixed cement comprises of a high capacity of a single or more matching cementing substances
such as granulated slag, rejoining rice-husk ash, coal fly powder and silica fume (Khan, et al.,
2004). This type of cement can be used in the production of concrete up to a percentage of 40;
the practice reduces the embodied carbon drastically.
- Stabilized mud blocks for masonry
Burnt bricks made of clay are primarily developed through high temperature burning
progression of the processed mud. Minerals present in the clay undergo irreversible variations
that impart strength to the block at the expense of increased energy input with high CO2
emissions (Van den Bergh, 2008). The SMBs are the energy proficient eco-friendly substitutes of
the burnt mud slabs. The solid bricks are processed by compressing a combination of sand, soil,
water and stabilizers. The main advantage of the stabilised clay materials is that they are highly
energy competent and they allow the contractor to save about 70% of the workforce vitality as
compared to the burnt mud (Lewis, 2007). Other benefits of the steadied clay substances are
that they enable site and decentralised productions, SMBs’ brick strength is easily adjustable by
regulation of the stabiliser they are also cost effective; they are easily transported thus reduced
expenses.
6 | P a g e

- Compacted fly ash blocks
A blend of stone crusher powder, lime and fly ash are compacted into a block of high-
density. These bricks are easily produced, they are also eco-friendly and energy sufficient.
The production strength relies on the mixture’s composition
- Rammed earth walls
Bumped earth is a method of establishing solid walls through cramming processed dust in
successive layers within a short outline. There are two approaches of REW which are the
unstabilized and stabilised techniques (Van den Bergh, 2008). The benefits of this scheme are
that it uses recyclable materials which are mostly available locally and it requires limited energy
intensity (Steg, 2008). The method also offers an extensive variety of finishes and textures. It
also allows flexibility in the forms of the plan for the constructions.
Timber is one of the carbon materials that are low embodied with a variety of
applications. Wood is a carbon-based substance that is delivered from sustainable sources.
Timber can be used in place of concrete and steel in some circumstances; it is also very feasible
in low-rise constructions (Martchek, 2000). Wood is said to be applied as a finishing and an
external cladding material (like cedar boarding) instead of glass, steel or aluminium cladding.
Additionally, timber is an excellent matter for interior partitions as a framing substance and
material for internal doors.
The natural substances are also carbon matters that are low embodied and can be
significant in various aspects of the building process due to their sustainability and natural
resources. Natural textile is an exceptional insolvent in comparison to synthetic foam and
mineral fibre products. Bamboo is useful in place of some hardwoods such as the formation of
floor slabs. Paint that is water-based provides limited personified carbon replacement to the
paint that is solvent-based (Anderson & Shiers, 2009). Straw-based and hemp products are
applied in the formation of some concrete blocks that are conventional.
7 | P a g e

Innovative Construction Process
The high percentage of carbon emissions at this level, the construction methodology and
process has an essential role in ensuring reduction of the emanations to zero or low carbon rate.
The practice of building comprises of various sub-phases which include planning, provisions of
the structuring matter to the site and constructing. Since the exercises at this stage involve the
use of human power as a source of working energy, lack of education and experience can be
significant disadvantages to the process as the factors lead to carbon discharges and wastage of
materials. The topic, therefore, reviews the innovative structuring techniques and the use of
substances in the building site to ensure reduction of embodied carbon. There is a need for the
consideration of lowering the personified carbon using processes that are less expensive and
costly. The methodology should be financially lucrative; it should reduce the number of
resources used and lower the wastage rates though ensuring limited dependence on energy
processing tactics and provision of good reputation to the construction company and its
management. Because of the broad perception of structuring, construction experts categorise
stratagems to mitigate the emission of embodied carbon at each level (Ameli & Brandt, 2015). In
the viable designing and study stage embodied carbon is reduced by selecting the right low
carbon matter as well as choosing a delivery means that has low carbon for supplying the
materials.
At the designing phase, few materials can be used by picking a prudent designing tactic. By
planning a compact form of a structure and using the spaces correctly, fewer construction
substances are used, and a more efficient building is designed. This saves about 5% of the
personified carbon at the planning level. Additionally, by varying the requirements for the
structuring elements like lower-weight floor blocks or roof designs, saves up to 20% exemplified
carbon in the process of construction (Bergh, 2008). Moreover, there are various concerns
during the scheming which seem to be simple but can significantly influence the embodied
carbon and the efficiency of energy. The primary considerations are of significance as they put
the structure in the in the rightful position within the site where energy consumption is reduced,
and more viable energy is used. Windows need to be used at the prime places to acquire the
solar power and natural light. Gardening and landscaping in the lawn can be essential in
controlling the heating and ensuring house cooling in addition to beautifying the viewpoint of
the homestead and reducing the exemplified carbon. The placement of the social and living
areas of the house directed towards the north with the bedroom facing to the south ensures the
8 | P a g e