Building Energy and Envelope Performance of a Near Net Zero Energy Building ✓ Most Recent

Pennsylvania State University's GridSTAR Experience Center, located at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, features a near net zero energy building. A unique combination of building materials, construction methods, energy management strategies, and renewable energy sources were employed to approach net zero. The building is heated using the combination of a solar thermal hot-water system, a high-efficiency electric hot-water heater, and high-performance mini split heat pumps.

Research was conducted to evaluate building energy and envelope performance. The results of the measured building energy performance were compared to a whole-building energy simulation. One-dimensional hygrothermal modeling results were compared to measured data for the above-grade wall assemblies. Measured temperatures and relative humidity were found to agree with simulated results within the uncertainty of the thermocouples and relative humidity sensors. Total measured building energy consumption compared well to simulated results.