Project 03_ZERO-NET ENERGY/WATER BOSTON: DESIGN
During my investigation of sustainable design sites strategies I was able to find several viable options that could be integrated into the design and creating a net-zero building. Because this research has been done during the design phase of the building I have found it fairly simple to begin fully integrating and testing these ideas into the construction and envelope of the building. With an intent to develop an 81% efficient building envelope, I believe that constructing the exterior wall out of structural insulated panels (SIP), green walls, high performance glazing and operable louvers would help reach this goal.
SIPs are built to keep convection and air leakage from occurring which allow the building interior temperatures to be maintained without the an influence from the exterior environment that surrounds the building. Green wall act very similar to a SIP but main goal is keep the building cool, improve air quality and acting as a noise barrier. High performance glazing made of either a double or triple pane glass (in this case double pane, low-e) prevents heat from escaping the building during the winter and keeps the building cool in the summer as it is highly thermally insulated but allow as much natural light as desired. Operable louvers help control the amount of direct sun received on the south, east and west face of the buildings especially during the summer. All these system decrease the carbon footprint of the building. With these systems I also have designed the building to include LED bulbs, programmable thermostats and occupancy sensor, reducing the amount of energy required to operate the building. All these contribute to the adjusted kWh of the building, decreasing the amount of photovoltaic panels needed to cover the rest of the energy needed to run the building.
The designed building had plenty of roof space available several panels can be placed on the top of the building while also leaving excess space for the previously designed roof garden. Before understanding the amount of panels needed, I had to select an appropriate panel base off the efficiency of the panel desired, especially with the average solar panel only providing between 15 to 20% of the energy collected as usable energy. There only a few that can achieve anything slightly higher, like the 22% efficient panel I intended on using for my design. I was able to then calculate the number of solar panels needed to complete the design of creating a zero-net energy building for the Boston area.
SIPs are built to keep convection and air leakage from occurring which allow the building interior temperatures to be maintained without the an influence from the exterior environment that surrounds the building. Green wall act very similar to a SIP but main goal is keep the building cool, improve air quality and acting as a noise barrier. High performance glazing made of either a double or triple pane glass (in this case double pane, low-e) prevents heat from escaping the building during the winter and keeps the building cool in the summer as it is highly thermally insulated but allow as much natural light as desired. Operable louvers help control the amount of direct sun received on the south, east and west face of the buildings especially during the summer. All these system decrease the carbon footprint of the building. With these systems I also have designed the building to include LED bulbs, programmable thermostats and occupancy sensor, reducing the amount of energy required to operate the building. All these contribute to the adjusted kWh of the building, decreasing the amount of photovoltaic panels needed to cover the rest of the energy needed to run the building.
The designed building had plenty of roof space available several panels can be placed on the top of the building while also leaving excess space for the previously designed roof garden. Before understanding the amount of panels needed, I had to select an appropriate panel base off the efficiency of the panel desired, especially with the average solar panel only providing between 15 to 20% of the energy collected as usable energy. There only a few that can achieve anything slightly higher, like the 22% efficient panel I intended on using for my design. I was able to then calculate the number of solar panels needed to complete the design of creating a zero-net energy building for the Boston area.
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