An Aggregated Embodied and Operational Energy Approach

Highly insulated envelopes are an integral part of any net zero energy building with a target to reduce the demand that need to be supplied by the renewable energy and other mitigating measures. While stricter insulation levels can in theory reduce the operational energy demand of buildings, the additional embodied energy investment in the insulations can become significant and not recovered within the expected timeframes. Accounting for embodied energy investment requires a paradigm shift in design of highly insulated buildings and can determine U-value levels that can be justified based on an aggregated operational and embodied energy approach. The following chapter discusses the aggregated approach in more detail showcasing the shortcomings of existing building codes and standards using a case study building. The chapter also reviews the potential barriers of adopting such approaches with a specific focus on the uncertainties of embodied energy data and offers a holistic view on its implications for various end-users and stakeholders within the construction sector. The presented analyses in this chapter depict optimal insulation levels beyond which the additional embodied energy burden cannot be recovered using the associated operational energy savings highlighting the necessity of accounting for embodied energy in developing future design principles for zero energy buildings.