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Net Zero Energy Communities: Integrated Power System, Building and Transport Sectors

Author

Listed:
  • Haleh Moghaddasi

    (Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Charles Culp

    (Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Jorge Vanegas

    (Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

Abstract

A Net Zero Community (NZC) concept and its energy characteristics are presented in this paper. NZC is an emerging topic with multiple variations in terms of scope and calculated methods, which complicates quantifying its performance. This paper covers three key barriers in achieving NZC targets: (1) the main focus of current definitions on buildings, disregarding community power systems and energy use in transportation; (2) different requirements (source, supply, metrics, etc.) in the existing definitions; and (3) lack of updated published reports to track the progress of committed NZC targets. The importance of this research is summarized as due to increased savings in primary energy and greenhouse gas emissions related to the three main energy sectors, namely power systems, buildings, and transportation (PBT). To clarify the current NZC, this paper reviews: (1) variations in the existing definitions and criteria from peer-reviewed publications; (2) the latest climate projection models by policymakers to achieve net zero by 2050; (3) the literature on renewable-based power systems; and (4) three planned NZC cases in international locations, in order to study their NZC targets, energy performance, and challenges. The outcome highlights NZC design guidelines, including energy efficiency measures, electrification, and renewables in PBT sectors that help stakeholders including policymakers, developers, designers, and engineers speed up achievement of NZC targets.

Suggested Citation

  • Haleh Moghaddasi & Charles Culp & Jorge Vanegas, 2021. "Net Zero Energy Communities: Integrated Power System, Building and Transport Sectors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-33, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:21:p:7065-:d:667274
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    Cited by:

    1. Mehreen Saleem Gul & Hassam Nasarullah Chaudhry, 2022. "Energy Efficiency, Low Carbon Resources and Renewable Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-3, June.
    2. Łukasz Mazur & Sławomir Cieślik & Stanislaw Czapp, 2023. "Trends in Locally Balanced Energy Systems without the Use of Fossil Fuels: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-31, June.
    3. Haleh Moghaddasi & Charles Culp & Jorge Vanegas & Saptarshi Das & Mehrdad Ehsani, 2022. "An Adaptable Net Zero Model: Energy Analysis of a Monitored Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-24, May.

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