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The impacts of extensive implementation
of Zero Energy Buildings
Two CenSES PhD candidates, Karen B. Lindberg and Pernille
S. Seljom, have cooperated on a study on an extensive
implementation of Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs) in the
Scandinavian energy system. ZEBs are identified as one
of the remedies to meet the 20-20-20 goals of the EU, and
according to the EU directive on buildings (EPBD), all new
buildings shall be nearly ZEBs from 2020. A ZEB is a high
energy efficient building that produces, on an annual basis,
as much renewable energy as it consumes. Mostly, the on-
site renewable energy production comes from solar power
(PV) integrated in the roof and façade of the buildings. As
ZEBs in a nordic climate also consumes electricity during
winter when PV production is low, the electricity market
will act as a seasonal storage which serves the building
with electricity in winter, and receives electricity from the
building in summer. The aim of the work is to investigate
the impact of ZEBs on investments in the Scandinavian
energy system, and it is performed by using the TIMES
energy system framework, which covers investments and
operational decisions in the building, transport, industry,
electricity and district heat sector.
The findings show that the reduced heat demand of ZEBs,
and their increased PV electricity production, lowers the
electricity price within the Scandinavian countries. This
makes investments in wind and CHP less profitable, but
increases the use of electricity for heating purposes. The
results show that the Scandinavian region will increase
its net export towards Europe. Overall, the findings of this
research indicate that on an aggregated system level, we
see no large challenges of introducing ZEBs. However,
further analysis of grid implications on regional and
distributional grid level is needed.
International cooperation 2015
Nordic researchers, IEA and Nordic Energy Research
cooperateonthesecondeditionofNordicEnergyTechnology
Perspectives (NETP). The NETP project started in 2014,
continued in 2015, and the publication will be launched in
May 2016. The project provides in-depth analysis on how the
Nordic countries can decarbonize the Nordic energy system.
In addition the project has two focus areas: 1) the urban
level by looking at how to achieve smarter and sustainable
utilization of energy in cities, and 2) the international level
by analyzing how the Nordic energy system can interplay
with Europe, with focusing on electricity integration.
The project aims to:
• Develop Nordic research competencies and cooperation.
• Provide research-based analysis to inform Nordic
decision-makers.
• Share knowledge to inform decisions on decarburization
outside the Nordic region.
The partners:
• Norway: IFE
• Sweden: IWL and Profu
• Denmark: DTU Risø and EA Energianalyse
• Finland: VTT
• Iceland: University of Iceland.
CenSES PhD candidates Karen Lindberg (left) and Pernille S. Seljom.