IMPACT OF NET ZERO
Global temperature rise is a cause of concern for human survival, and hence it requires most urgent attention by people who contribute the maximum to this phenomena. Infrastructure and the way we use it contribute large parts to it. There is a need for designing net-zero buildings, to minimize the carbon footprint from non-renewable energy resources, that contribute most to global warming.
Why should we design net zero buildings?
Combating climate change is every individual’s responsibility and it offers benefits. If there is a reduction in Carbon Footprint, the environment becomes healthier, both locally and globally. Using renewable resources, which are available in abundance can reduce or probably eliminate the usage of fossil fuels, which are limited and depleting.
Looking on the bright side..
We could locate the buildings independent of the location of the building or without the concern for proximity to the grid, as a net zero building is self-sustaining. The charge of energy loss during the supply of energy and the actual cost of usage of it, both will be removed from the running cost of the building. On-site energy production can even result in rewards from the city/state. Massachusetts pay credits to the residents for installing solar panels to produce energy, which cancels out the cost of electricity produced. If excessive energy is produced, residents are eligible to sell excessive energy as well. Moreover, there is no waste produced by this type of energy.
But, there is a dark side too..
Our technology is amplifying to provide us with solutions which were beyond imagination until a few years ago. The cost of using them or implementing them are not budget friendly at the moment in most of the situations, especially in the case of having net zero solutions for designing the buildings. On a large scale, there are ways to achieve cost efficiency, but there is a big scope for cost reductions for using renewable resources efficiently. As designers, how can we solve this to achieve net zero solutions?
Designers can..
Analysis of the context of the site is a good start for beginning the search for a sustainable solution for a site. The height of the buildings, solar path, solar heat gain throughout the year helps to understand the use of solar energy, which is a commonly used resource for clean energy. Secondly, the size of the available land and soil type would determine the possibility for extracting energy from other resources like wind or geothermal energy. These solutions would have high installation costs but result in a long term benefit. Thirdly, Climate has a big role in governing the orientation of the buildings, massing/ form, openings etc. Passive designing methodology for a building helps in regulating the different heat gain required during different months of a year, which could help in energy efficiency and cost reduction by manifolds. Using the energy efficient equipment and fixtures that have low energy consumption seem a smaller suggestion, but it contributes a big chunk to achieve the net-zero energy resultant.
Net Zero is certainly the next thing, which would become a basic with research, experiments and positive results. We, the designers, need to follow and plan strategically to use these tools in an effective way, to have a net zero building or a site. If achieved, the building itself would stand out in today’s market as it ready for the future. Its a moral imperative that the client and designer, both need to understand and address the new developments and achieve sustainable solutions, that have net zero energy, waste, and water.
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