A Holistic Approach for Increasing the Electric Energy Efficiency of a Nearly Zero Energy Building

This paper investigates the control challenges and potential capabilities for increasing the efficiency of a nearly zero energy building (nZEB). In particular, a holistic approach for the nZEB microgrid by integrating several improved efficiency generating and consuming devices is presented and thus, the efficiency increase of the whole nZEB is attained. The scheme of the proposed improving interventions aims to the efficiency increase of domestic wind turbines, the higher exploitation of the energy storage system (ESS) and the reduction of the energy consumption of electric motor drives in residential applications, such as elevators, electric roll-up doors, air-conditions, etc. The above efficiency improvement interventions do not only provide reduction of the operating expenses (OPEX) in a nZEB, but they can contribute to the reduction of the required capital expenditure (CAPEX) for transforming a conventional building to nZEB. The latter is attained because, for the same level of energy autonomy of the building and without affecting the comfort of the residents, reduction of the power capacity of the renewable energy sources (RES) and the energy storage capability of the ESS can be accomplished. The methodology of each of the proposed technique is described in the paper and also, selective experimental results are presented that both verify the effectiveness of the theoretical considerations and validate the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed improving efficiency interventions in a nZEB.