ML-11-032 -- Zero Energy Buildings in France: Overview and Feedback ✓ Most Recent

This paper presents an overview of the first positive/near zero energy buildings (NZEBs) in France. The aim is to study the design methods and to identify innovative solution sets. Nineteen French zero-energy buildings and projects have been identified so far. Innovative solution sets in terms of design and conception that emerge from this state of the art have been highlighted and are presented in the first part of the paper. For instance, a general trend concerns the shape of NZEBs that are narrower in terms of width. This allows using passive solutions, such as natural cross-ventilation and natural lighting on both sides of the building. Then, as few NZEBs have been built around the world so far, the first three French NZEBs will be presented in the second part of the paper in order to offer feedback on their construction and energy utilization and consumption. The comparison of the energy consumption during the design phase and occupancy given in the last part of the paper shows that it is always complicated to forecast a building's energy consumption. One of the major problems in specifying energy consumption during the design stage is the definition of a timetable to evaluate the occupancy of the future building. This work is part of a joint international program supported by the international energy agency Towards Net Zero Solar Buildings. See more