Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) Gains in Importance and Popularity

A "net-zero energy building" is a building whose total amount of energy used by the building is roughly equivalent to the total amount of renewable energy it creates. A building that produces a surplus of energy is called "energy-plus building" while those that consume slightly more energy than they produce are called "near-zero energy buildings" or "ultra-low energy houses".

Traditional buildings are responsible for huge amounts of CO2 emissions and contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect. The principle of net zero energy consumption aims to reduce carbon emissions and be less dependent on fossil fuels by the use of electrical grid (smart grid) for energy storage and through the use of solar and wind energy producing technologies. The modern zero-energy buildings has now become a reality with the latest construction techniques coupled with progress in academic research.

The John J. Sbrega Health and Science Building of the Bristol Community College in Massachusetts which claims to be the largest zero net energy classroom and science lab building in the Northeast is a 50,600 sq feet building. To achieve a zero net energy goal the building uses a large solar array field in conjunction with a photovoltaic array on the roof. The facility is projected to use less than 20% of the new array and no fossil fuels for heating and cooling. The college’s goal is to become carbon neutral by 2050.

In California, new bills require all commercial structures in the state to be net zero buildings by 2030. It seems appropriate then that Net Zero Plus Electrical Training Institute, the largest net zero-plus commercial building in the US, opens its door in Los Angeles