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Towards Sustainable Cities: A Review of Zero Energy Buildings Techniques and Global Activities in Residential Buildings

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  • Gamal Ali Mohammed

    (College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
    Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Thamar University, Thamar City 87246, Yemen)

  • Mahmoud Mabrouk

    (Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Urban &Regional Planning, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt)

  • Guoqing He

    (College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Karim I. Abdrabo

    (Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Urban &Regional Planning, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt)

Abstract

Under rapid urbanization-induced global warming and resource depletion, growing interest in zero-energy building (ZEB) and zero-emission building (ZEB) technologies have emerged globally to improve energy performance in homes and shape sustainable cities. Although several countries have released ZEB-enhanced strategies and set national standards and policies to promote ZEBs, construction projects are still limited to demonstration projects. This paper reviews global ZEB activities and state-of-the-art technologies for energy-efficient residential building technologies [based on an evaluation of 40 residential buildings]. Over 40 residential buildings on different continents were reviewed, and their technical details and performance were evaluated. Our results show that 62.5% of the buildings achieved the +ZEB standard, 25% of the buildings were net-zero energy buildings, and only 12.5% of the buildings were near-zero energy buildings. Solar PV is the most widely used renewable energy source in the studied cases, while in warmer climates, advanced cooling technologies and heat pumps are the preferred technologies. A building envelope and thermal ventilation with heat recovery are essential in cold climates. Our systematic analysis reveals that the thermal performance of the building envelope and solar energy are the most effective mechanisms for achieving energy efficiency and shaping sustainable cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Gamal Ali Mohammed & Mahmoud Mabrouk & Guoqing He & Karim I. Abdrabo, 2023. "Towards Sustainable Cities: A Review of Zero Energy Buildings Techniques and Global Activities in Residential Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-26, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:9:p:3775-:d:1135529
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Panagiotidou, Maria & Fuller, Robert J., 2013. "Progress in ZEBs—A review of definitions, policies and construction activity," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 196-206.
    2. Kneifel, Joshua & Webb, David, 2016. "Predicting energy performance of a net-zero energy building: A statistical approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 468-483.
    3. Lamia Kamal-Chaoui & Alexis Robert, 2009. "Competitive Cities and Climate Change," OECD Regional Development Working Papers 2009/2, OECD Publishing.
    4. Röck, Martin & Saade, Marcella Ruschi Mendes & Balouktsi, Maria & Rasmussen, Freja Nygaard & Birgisdottir, Harpa & Frischknecht, Rolf & Habert, Guillaume & Lützkendorf, Thomas & Passer, Alexander, 2020. "Embodied GHG emissions of buildings – The hidden challenge for effective climate change mitigation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    5. Imessad, K. & Derradji, L. & Messaoudene, N.Ait & Mokhtari, F. & Chenak, A. & Kharchi, R., 2014. "Impact of passive cooling techniques on energy demand for residential buildings in a Mediterranean climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 589-597.
    6. Haleh Moghaddasi & Charles Culp & Jorge Vanegas & Mehrdad Ehsani, 2021. "Net Zero Energy Buildings: Variations, Clarifications, and Requirements in Response to the Paris Agreement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, June.
    7. Mohamed, Ayman & Hasan, Ala & Sirén, Kai, 2014. "Fulfillment of net-zero energy building (NZEB) with four metrics in a single family house with different heating alternatives," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 385-399.
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    Cited by:

    1. Carmen Mârza & Raluca Moldovan & Georgiana Corsiuc & Gelu Chisăliță, 2023. "Improving the Energy Performance of a Household Using Solar Energy: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-32, September.
    2. Mahmoud Mabrouk & Haoying Han & Mahran Gamal N. Mahran & Karim I. Abdrabo & Ahmed Yousry, 2024. "Revisiting Urban Resilience: A Systematic Review of Multiple-Scale Urban Form Indicators in Flood Resilience Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-44, June.

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