A Zero Energy Building (ZEB), Essay Example

A Zero Energy Building (ZEB) is a building that has been built for energy efficiencies.  The building are non reliant upon electric power from the Grid.  Considered eco-friendly the building have several different design concepts. ” Climate change, high oil prices, and global concerns about energy security – these are prime factors fuelling the new wave of investment in alternative energy.”  (Board). In 2009 Singapore has been demonstrating its’ advancements in green technology and the considerable investment it is making in this area. ”  The ZEB, which is the first of its kind in Singapore, will take in a net of zero energy from the grid throughout the year, while depending primarily on solar systems to fulfil its energy needs.” (Board)

Advantages

One of the big advantages of ZEB is that the buildings use as much energy as they can produce and in a lot of circumstances they over produce and then return power to the grid. By metering this consumption and output of energy to the grid, the property owner can take advantage of energy credits. ” the meters reverse and the building or home owner receives one or more credits, which may also include a “Renewable Energy Credit”  (Goodell).  This policy has been substantially employed within the residential areas of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Other advantages include:

• More uniform temperatures make for better dwelling comfort
• Isolates the building owner from increased energy costs
• Reduced occupancy costs owing to improved efficiencies

“German architectural firm Gerber Architekten is planning to build the world’s first tower with a zero carbon footprint in Bahrain.”  (Millington)

Disadvantages

• Very few building designers are qualified and have the skills for ZEB building constructs
• Initial start up building costs are high. Resellers of property may not recover investment costs on the property
• There may be peaks and troughs on energy demand through the year as such the grid may still need to be used to bolster power supplies.

“Currently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s population is estimated at 27 million with energy demands growing at 5% annually. Despite being an oil-rich export economy for decades, the introduction of alternative energy could create significant value for Saudi Arabia’s energy landscape, by ensuring sustainable opportunities for diversified economic growth”  (Prakasham)

Works Cited

Board, Singapore Economic Development. EDB Singapore. 2009. 19 10 2009 <http://www.edb.gov.sg/edb/sg/en_uk/index/industry_sectors/alternative_energy/industry_background.html>.

Goodell, Monty. Net Energy Metering. 2002. 19 10 2009 <http://www.cogeneration.net/net_energy_metering.htm>.

Millington, Benjamin. Arabian Business.Com. 3 1 2009. 19 10 2009 <http://www.arabianbusiness.com/542438-zero-energy-brighter-future?start=0>.

Prakasham, Siva. Conergy Asia-Pacific to Construct 2MW PV System in Saudi Arabia . 29 4 2009. 19 10 2009 <http://www.green.roofandfacade.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=206:conergy-asia-pacific-to-construct-2mw-pv-system-in-saudi-arabia&catid=category&Itemid=50>.