Vol. 4, Issue 9, Part D (2018)

Emissions of carbon dioxide into the Earth’s atmosphere, primarily as a result of burning fossil fuels for energy, are thought to be the cause of rising global temperatures. The scientific evidence to support this assertion has become increasingly compelling in recent years, suggesting a need for urgent and concerted action by all nations to prevent ecological degradation on a massive scale. For the first time in history we face an energy crisis not because we might run out of energy, but because we are using it in the wrong way. Traditional buildings consume 40% of the conventional form of energy. Therefore the western countries, in addition to consuming a major amount of fossil fuel energy are also main contributors of green house gases. Designing buildings in such a manner, so that the consumption of the fossil fuel energy could be minimized is the need of the hour. In this respect, the concept of Zero Energy Building (ZEB), which is a building with zero net energy consumption, was introduced. Zero Energy Building (ZEB) combines state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems, such as solar water heating, solar electricity, etc. The combination results in a building that produces as much energy as it uses on an annual basis.

Besides mentioning the various micro-generation technologies such as solar cell, wind turbines for electricity and bio-fuels or solar thermal collectors linked to a seasonal thermal energy storage (STES) for space heating for ZEB, the scope of the principle of piezoelectric effect for the micro-production of electricity in future ZEB has also been pointed out. By optimizing the design features: such as climate specific design, passive solar heating and cooling, energy-efficient constructions and building products/materials, energy efficient appliances and lighting, renewable energy technologies (solar water, solar electric systems etc.). Apart from the above design features; the advantages such as improved comfort, reliability, energy security, environmental sustainability of ZEB over conventional type of buildings have been discussed. To the best of my knowledge this work has not been reported in this manner elsewhere.