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Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) is a sustainable community that incorporates energy-efficient design and practices. The community features buildings with excellent insulation, natural ventilation, and efficient cooling systems. Residents actively participate in reducing energy consumption, including using natural ventilation during summer months and implementing shading techniques to minimize the need for mechanical cooling.
Source: Tom Chance, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
ENERPOS is a university building that is an exemplary Nearly Zero-Emission Building (NZEB) that showcases outstanding energy performance. This innovative structure demonstrates how the use of current technologies, with an additional cost of approximately 9%, can result in a building consuming merely one-tenth of the energy consumed by a standard building of the same type, while simultaneously generating six times its own energy needs. Notably, ENERPOS has successfully eliminated the need for air conditioning, even during scorching hot days.
What sets this project apart is the utilization of simulation tools not only for system sizing but also for modeling and passive optimization of the building. Moreover, ENERPOS integrates the fundamental principles of tropical vernacular architecture, emphasizing natural ventilation and effective sun protection. The incorporation of ceiling fans emerges as a key factor contributing to the building’s success, significantly reducing the reliance on air conditioning. Additionally, occupant awareness plays a crucial role as the project aims to foster an environment where users actively participate in maintaining a passive building, rather than passively relying on the building’s features.
Source: Posener, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Federal Office of Economics and Export Control offers the following financial support:
- 80% of the eligible consultancy fee, up to a maximum of 1,300 euros for detached or semi-detached houses.
- 80% of the eligible consultancy fee, up to a maximum of 1,700 euros for residential buildings with three or more residential units.
- Additional funding for condominium owners’ associations: 500 euros once per condominium if the results of the consultation are explained at residents’ meeting or advisory board meeting.