Energy Analysis for Construction of a Zero-Energy Residential Building Using Thermal Simulation in Iran
Creators: name: REZASOROUSH, ABDULAMIR
name: Amani, Nima
name: Moghadas Mashhad, Mostafa
name: Safarzadeh, Keyvan
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 330101
subject: Architectural computing and visualisation methods
classificationCode: 330102
subject: Architectural design
classificationCode: 330105
subject: Architectural science and technology
classificationCode: 330110
subject: Sustainable architecture
classificationCode: 330107
subject: Architecture management
classificationCode: 330201
subject: Automation and technology in building and construction
classificationCode: 330202
subject: Building construction management and project planning
classificationCode: 330203
subject: Building industry studies
classificationCode: 330206
subject: Building science, technologies and systems
classificationCode: 330301
subject: Data visualisation and computational (incl. parametric and generative) design
classificationCode: 330305
subject: Design management
classificationCode: 330311
subject: Models and simulations of design
classificationCode: 330310
subject: Interaction and experience design
classificationCode: 330314
subject: Sustainable design
classificationCode: 400501
subject: Architectural engineering
classificationCode: 400504
subject: Construction engineering
classificationCode: 400505
subject: Construction materials
classificationCode: 400808
subject: Photovoltaic power systems
classificationCode: 400910
subject: Photovoltaic devices (solar cells)
classificationCode: 401102
subject: Environmentally sustainable engineering
classificationCode: 401703
subject: Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical)

description: PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the feasibility and design of zero-energy buildings (ZEBs) in cold and semi-arid climates. In this study, to maximize the use of renewable energy, energy consumption is diminished using passive solar architecture systems and techniques.Design/methodology/approachThe case study is a residential building with a floor area of 100 m<sup>2</sup> and four inhabitants in the cold and semi-arid climate, northeast of Iran. For thermal simulations, the climate data such as air temperature, sunshine hours, wind, precipitation, and hourly sunlight, are provided by the meteorological station and weather databases of the region. DesignBuilder software is applied for simulation and dynamic analysis of the building, as well as PVsyst software to design and evaluate renewable energy performance.FindingsThe simulation results show a 30% decrease in annual energy consumption of the building by complying with the principles of passive design (optimal selection of direction, Trombe wall, shade, proper insulation selection) from 25,443 kWh to 17,767 kWh. Then, the solar energy photovoltaic (PV) system is designed using PVsyst software, taking into account the annual energy requirement and the system’s annual energy yield is estimated to be 26,291 kWh.Originality/valueThe adaptive comparison of the values obtained from the energy analysis indicated that constructing a ZEB is feasible in cold and semi-arid conditions and is considered an effective step to achieve sustainable and environmentally friendly construction.