Traditional and modern technologies for achieving zero-carbon buildings

Given the dwindling fossil fuel reserves and the escalating global environmental degradation, largely attributed to fossil fuel consumption, the imperative to reduce energy consumption has become increasingly pressing. Considering that approximately ۴۰% of the world’s energy is consumed by the building sector, the introduction and implementation of zero-energy buildings offer a promising avenue to curtail global energy consumption. Constructing low-energy buildings stands as the most effective strategy for minimizing energy consumption within buildings. The architectural aspect of buildings should be the primary focus when seeking to reduce energy consumption. To achieve zero-energy architectural design, buildings must be tailored to the specific climatic conditions of their location, capitalizing on climatic potentials while acknowledging limitations. This research employs a descriptive and analytical approach, with data gathered through both library research and field studies. The initial step in designing zero-energy buildings involves a thorough understanding of climatic conditions and the identification of climatic potentials and limitations at the building’s location to establish a climate-responsive architecture. Consequently, the first crucial step toward achieving zero-energy architecture is a meticulous analysis of climatic data. This paper commences with definitions and a historical overview of zero-energy buildings, followed by an exploration of the strategies for attaining zero-energy building goals. Zero-energy buildings pursue two primary objectives: minimizing energy consumption within the building and generating energy on-site through renewable sources. Subsequently, the paper delves into potential strategies for achieving these objectives. Finally, the impact of occupant behavior and effective design strategies for zero-energy buildings is examined.

Keywords:

Zero-energy building , reducing energy consumption in buildings , on-site energy generation , renewable energy , occupant behavior impact.