Zero Energy Homes: What are they How do we get there

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Zero Energy HomesWhat are they? How do we get
there?

• Rob Hammon, Ph.D.
• Principal, ConSol

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Steps to Zero Net-Energy Homes

• Zero Peak Homes
• Electricity
• Noon 7PM?
• Zero Net-Electricity Homes
• Minimize gas use?
• Zero Net-Energy Homes
• Net-meter excess electricity to balance gas
• Eliminate gas
• Zero Net-Energy Communities
• Additional generation sites

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Premier Gardens Near ZEH
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Near-ZEH vs. SMUD
Advantage (60 Bill
(30 Cooling Reduction) reduction)
Savings)
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Demographics

• Similar price and size
• Contemporaneous sales
• Near-ZEH
• More-experience buyers
• More educated
• Did more research prior to buying
• Control
• Larger families (larger bedrooms)
• More wage-earners (2-3/household), more income

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Energy Efficiency Features
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Impact of Near ZEH on Mo. kWh
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ZEH vs Control July Bills
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Predicted vs Actual Electricity Use
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Near ZEH Peak Demand Potential
ZEH vs Non-ZEH Peak Reduction

• Monitoring 18 homes in each community
• Power production
• Monitor energy savings/production (kWh)
• Monitor peak demand savings (kW)
• Monitor exports to grid

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Over ¼ ZEH Not Contributing to Peak Reduction
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Impacts on Peak
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No East Arrays
1945
2045
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Steps to Zero Energy Homes

• Zero Peak Homes
• Electricity
• Noon 7PM?
• Zero Net-Electricity Homes
• Minimize gas use?
• Zero Net-Energy Homes
• Net-meter excess electricity to balance gas
• Eliminate gas
• Zero Net-Energy Communities
• Additional generation facilities

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More Efficiency, More Peak Reduction?
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Cost of Energy Savings
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Systems Research

• Improve envelopes
• Thermal mass and night cooling
• Alternative cooling systems
• Improved heating systems
• Lighting
• Practical solar water heating systems
• Reduced MELs
• Improved PV integration

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Steps to Zero Energy Homes

• Zero Peak Homes
• Electricity
• Noon 7PM?
• Zero Net-Electricity Homes
• Minimize gas use
• Zero Net-Energy Communities
• Additional generation facilities
• Zero Net-Energy Homes
• Net-meter excess electricity to balance gas
• Eliminate gas

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Suggested Strategies

• Near-Term Zero Peak Communities
• Most reachable
• Highest value
• Include additional solar facilities
• Longer-Term Zero Net-Electricity Communities
• Possible
• Currently costly
• Target gas savings
• NSHP 35 over T24 w/ 40 Cooling savings
• Develop Policies for Long-Term
• Net metering and natural gas
• White Certs / RECs / Carbon Credits

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Suggested Strategies (Cont)

• Research Needed
• Reduce feature costs
• Improve availability and reliability
• Address liability
• Decouple research from savings requirements
• Market Transformation Required
• Mandate will not work Need to build
  infrastructure
• Incentives ? likely not cost-effective with
  current evaluation practices (TRC, E3)
• Market research needed
• Sells faster??
• Improve customer satisfaction (reduce liability)??

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Thank You! Questions, Discussion?

• Rob Hammon, Ph.D.
• Principal, ConSol