Recent progress on net zero energy buildings

The concept of net zero energy building (NZEB) is relatively new, but its deployment in building design construction practice is occurring quickly, with many countries now promising to make it mandatory for new constructions in a few years. It is therefore important to determine the relationship between research and NZEBs, in a context in which the research questions regarding NZEBs may not be obvious. This chapter discusses the recent progress in NZEB research and practice, dividing the analysis into the following sections: definition of the concept of NZEB; policy instruments; demonstration buildings (residential and non-residential); design strategies; and technologies for NZEBs. It shows that the feasibility of NZEBs has been demonstrated widely, in particular in low-rise buildings. The NZEB-specific research effort seems now to be moving towards issues of methods to assist efficient design (as an evolution from effective design) and their efficient monitoring and operation. NZEBs continue to benefit from motivating research in the areas of energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy, which may apply to all buildings, whether an NZEB or not.