Energy Efficiency

Chapter 10

The Prospect of Zero Net Energy Buildings in the United States

Nicholas B. Rajkovich¹, William C. Miller² and Roland J. Risser³, ¹PhD Candidate, University of Michigan, Urban and Regional Planning Program, ²Program Manager, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Environmental Energy Technologies Division, ³Director, U.S Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office

1 Introduction

In the United States, a number of efforts are underway to achieve zero net energy (ZNE) in the built environment [1]. ZNE is generally defined as a highly energy efficient building or community where the balance of energy needs is supplied by renewable energy technologies.

Frequently described as the “Apollo” project for energy efficiency and renewable ...