by Rebecca Walker — April 11, 2011—Zero and Net-zero Energy Buildings + Homes,a 64-page report that proclaims “the next frontier in the green building movement,” is available online from Building Design+Construction.
The 40,000-word report from Building Design+Construction, a professional publication serving the $350 billion commercial building sector, provides a road map for the U.S./Canadian design, construction, and real estate industry to develop “net-zero” buildings and homesenergy-efficient, affordable structures that generate as much energy as they use.
In the report, industry experts provide case studies of completed net-zero energy buildings, notably the Research Support Facility at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colo. It offers detailed information on energy-conservation technologies and renewable energy strategies, as well as the business case for net-zero buildings and proposed building and energy codes and standards for such structures. A prototype “net-zero carbon” building, designed to produce no greenhouse gas emissions, is also presented.
The report concludes with a 21-point plan of specific recommendations by government officials, utilities, building owners, developers, universities, design and construction firms, and the public to encourage development of new and reconstructed net-zero energy buildings and homes.
The report encourages Federal agenciesnotably the Department of Energy and the General Services Administrationto lead the way in net-zero energy demonstration projects and building technology research.
