The 'new' zero-energy office building

Abstract

This thesis analyses the impact of new energy efficiency regulations for the built environment on the development of highly energy efficient and zero energy office buildings. In The Netherlands energy efficiency regulation BENG and determination method NTA8800 will become effective januari 2021. BENG and NTA8800 will replace the current EPC and NEN7120 policies. This change in policy in The Netherlands is sparked because EPC and NEN7120 do not fit the framework of the international EPBD and Paris Climate Agreement. The research consists of three successive parts. The first part of the research consists of a scientific framework where the energy efficiency policies and the technical and financial feasibility of zero energy office buildings are studied. The second part of the research consists of an empirical research, formed by case studies of three zero-energy office buildings in amsterdam. The third part is a research by design. In this third part a technical design is proposed for developing zero energy office buildings within the framework of the new Dutch policies. The technical design is tested by making redesigns for the studied cases and used to evaluate the boundaries for developing zero-energy office buildings within the framework of the new policies. This research concludes that new energy efficiency policies are still not completely in line with the international agreements. Furthermore, it concludes that it is technically and financially feasible to develop zero-energy office buildings up to six floors within the framework of the new policies. This conclusion takes current market standards and proven technologies into consideration. For developing Paris-Proof office buildings, 10 to 15 floors are considered feasible. There are no limits on the number of floors for developing BENG compliant office buildings according to this thesis.