Desert Rain House: The first residential building to achieve the rigorous Living Building Challenge Certification

The Desert Rain House is a 2236 sq.ft, one storey residential building located in Bend, Oregon. It has been conceived with the idea of constructing an ‘extreme dream green home’ in the year 2008. The building consists of the main residence, a detached guest house, a second detached guest house/ office studio and garages. Some of the key features of the building are:

  • 100% Net zero in terms of energy.
  • 100% self-contained rainwater collection.
  • 100% processing of waste water.
  • Carbon neutral.
  • 35% of the site area used for food production.
  • A Biophilic approach to design and selection of materials.

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Massachusetts looks towards adopting a net-zero building code

In a bid to achieve its climate goals of reducing 80% carbon emissions by the year 2050, Massachusetts is considering the implementation of an updated code which pushes buildings to generate as much energy as they consume.

While there have been contentions that a net-zero policy would put too much emphasis on an individual building rather than a neighbourhood, some of the state’s municipalities are interested in pushing the boundaries of sustainability and choosing tighter energy requirements. The intent is to create highly energy efficient buildings on the limited undeveloped spaces to effectively focus on pollution reductions.

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Structure cooling – Low energy viable solution for comfort cooling for un-insulated buildings in India

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A developing economy and a predominantly hot climate means increased demand for new buildings as well as for air conditioning. In India, about 70% of the buildings required by 2030 are yet to be built. The share of room air conditioners in total electricity consumption will increase from 7% in 2016 to 26% by 2050. How can this demand be met in a sustainable manner?.

The way forward is to find viable and scalable cooling solutions that provide comfort without contributing to climate change.

Low energy solutions such as structure cooling present a viable solution for providing comfort using significantly less energy and even holding the potential to meet that requirement through renewable.

In this technique, the temperature of walls and floor is kept at a temperature lower than the body temperature of the occupants. Thus the skin will lose heat to the cooler surroundings by radiation. This approach is different from air-based systems where the thermal mass of the structure is used to an advantage and hence it can retain the “coolth” for a longer time compared to cooling air which has very low thermal capacity.

Read more in this article by Dr. Roshni Udyavar Yehuda

Participate in the #nzebindia Contest and get featured !

#nzebindia contest
#nzebindia contest

 Daylight is key to enhancing indoor environment and energy conservation. Here’s your chance to inspire others by taking a stunning photo of a good daylit space! Take a photo of a real daylit space, post it on social media, mention location and #nzebindia BY 26th May, 2019.

The winner will be featured on our page and NZEB website! 

This contest is open to all.. So please share it with your friends and colleagues !

Living Building guidelines for this affordable housing pilot shows that net positive energy is a possibility

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Affordable housing sector has been more elusive to sustainable design. It is a special challenge because it is fairly conventional in design, face aggressive schedules, value engineering, and strict development requirements. The Living Building Challenge, regarded as one of the most stringent high-performance building standards, presents a framework for sustainable affordable housing building, developed on the basis of pilot programs with the industry.

Read more and download the framework here

What life under a carbon neutral economy would look like?

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Its not just the way buildings are designed, but the way we live and the way world economy works needs to be revisited in order to have a true impact on climate change. One of the most influential economists – Prof. Nicholas Stern argues that we already have the tools we need to turn the economy carbon neutral. This is feasible in our lifetime with some fundamental changes such as different transport systems and more efficient use of everything. Innovation is key to bring these changes.

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Myths about renewables in the grid

The International Solar Energy Society challenges common notions about renewables, such as wind and solar energy being too intermittent for reliable grid operations, threats of blackouts and high costs. The facts are presented as interesting infographics.

The Netherlands to go completely gas-free as a step towards de-carbonizing the grid

The Dutch government has decided to stop natural gas extraction, well before its previously stated target of eliminating the fuel by 2050. A host of measures like subsidized solar and biomass boilers and pellet stoves will help homes and businesses adapt to the new move.

Singapore’s first new-build NZEB is all about climate responsive architecture

The School of Design and Environment 4 (SDE4) in National University of Singapore sets an example of a flexible, energy-efficient and environmental-friendly design within a tropical region. A hybrid cooling system powered by on-site solar PV ensures the rooms don’t get overly cooled, and air conditioning is used only when required.

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CitySquare is an all-electric and zero-net-energy residential community at Irvine in California.

Meritage Homes is a leader in energy-efficient homebuilding and with CitySquare, the company is setting the new standard to design and build super efficient homes. The net-zero energy design features high performing insulation and windows, heat pump water heater, heat pump dryer, LED lighting, induction cooktops, mechanically supplied outside air and rooftop photovoltaics.

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Advancing Net Zero

Advancing Net Zero is WorldGBC’s global project which aims to promote and support the acceleration of net zero carbon buildings to 100% by 2050. The Green Building Council’s of France, Canada, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, USA, Germany have already introduced programs with Net Zero target at various levels. This is going to bring about a market transformation towards accelerating energy efficiency in order to achieve the Net Zero goals.

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IGBC has launched the Rating System for Net Zero Energy Buildings in India

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The Indian Green Building Council has come out with Net Zero Energy Buildings rating system in collaboration with the World Green Building Council and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The rating system, launched during the 16th Green building Congress 2018 here, seeks to complement the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency and the National Solar Mission.

Read the full article here

Knowledge Centre – Passive Strategies

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