Creation of Zero CO₂ Emissions Residential Buildings due to Operating and Embodied Energy Use on the Island of Crete, Greece

Abstract

The possibility of creating zero CO 2 emissions residential buildings due to life cycle energy use in the island of Crete, Greece has been examined. In a typical residential building located in Crete, Greece, its annual operating energy has been appraised at 170 KWh/m 2 and its embodied energy at 30 KWh/m 2 . Various locally available renewable energies including solar energy, solid biomass and low enthalpy geothermal energy with heat pumps have been considered for generating the required heat and offsetting the grid electricity used. Their technologies are mature, reliable and cost-effective. Offset of the annual grid electricity use in the building with solar-PV electricity is allowed according to the net metering regulation. For zero carbon emissions due to embodied energy of the building, generation of additional solar electricity injected into the grid is required. A mathematical model has been developed for sizing the required solar-PV system installed in the building in order to offset the grid electricity use. For a residential building in Crete, Greece with a covered area of 100 m 2 , the power of the additional solar-PV system has been estimated at 1.6 KWp and its cost at 2400 €. In the current work, it is indicated that the creation of a zero CO 2 emissions residential building due to life cycle energy use in Crete, Greece does not have major difficulties and it could be achieved relatively easily.