California bold goal: 2020 new residential net energy consumption to achieve zero

The Nikkei technology online news, "Hello said with a new home, the thermal charges said Goodbye." this is the zero net energy consumption is headquartered in Arizona, Scott, DELL's U.S. homebuilder Meritage Homes "(ZNE:Zero Net Energy) slogan" residential. The company in the April 22, 2015 world earth day, the state of California is being built ZNE residential community.

Currently, California residential and commercial buildings in the field of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, second only to the car, ranking second. ZNE residential popularity, it can contribute to the construction of low-carbon society.

Not only the use of new residential insulation technology and energy saving technology, but also the establishment of photovoltaic power generation systems and other distributed generation system, which can provide all the energy required for a year. Can meet the ZNE standard.

California's bold goal

The Japanese government also proposed by 2020 to make ZEH (Net Zero Energy House) has become the target of new residential standards. California, which has a slightly larger size than Japan, set the same goal.

California in pure electric vehicle (EV) and photovoltaic power generation equipment import, as well as the degree of energy saving for the first. In order to maintain a leading position in carbon dioxide reduction and environmental protection, 2008 set the goal of making all new homes by 2020, before the year 2030 to make all commercial buildings ZNE.

By the way, the target is called "bold" target, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC:California Public Utilities Commission) and the California Energy Commission (CEC:California Energy Commission) the two government agencies were involved in the project.

The definition of ZNE by the state government of California is "the construction of zero annual energy consumption". In other words, the residential distribution system of the total annual power generation and residential electricity consumption the same. For changes in response to the needs of the whole year, usually with ZNE construction of electric power grid, power generation capacity more than consumption, the remaining power supply to the power system, power consumption is less than when using the power system to provide enough power.

According to CEC, according to the energy conservation standards formulated by the state of California, as well as in 2020 to set the target for the ZNE, the state's energy consumption will gradually stabilized. Through the effect of energy saving and decentralized power generation system, only ZNE residential in 2040 will be able to cut the power of 18TWh.

California has begun to promote the development and construction of residential ZNE. But it is the custom of residential, residential areas and local government operations of public utilities to carry out verification experiments.

Meritage Homes Herro, vice president of environmental CR, said, "the previous ZNE residential is not as a community. Our community projects will not only help households reduce the cost of light and heat, in order to achieve the popularity of ZNE residential, we will also provide electricity and residential communities as a whole of electricity generation and electricity consumption data".

In the residential project of ZNE enterprises in addition to Meritage Homes, and HEMS (in the home energy management system) business of American BIRAenergy, American Itron, and the local power company Southern (SCE) California Edison. In addition, the United States Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and CPUC to carry out energy related research will assess the impact of ZEN on residential energy consumption and power system.

Meritage Homes is the first residential builder for all new residential buildings that have imported energy star products. Energy star is the United States Department of energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began in 1992 for the implementation of energy-saving electronic products environmental labeling system.

Meritage Homes is in the suburbs of Losangeles, Fontana, the 130 residential areas composed of residential buildings, the construction of 20 residential ZNE. Equipped with a photovoltaic power generation system, HVAC system, polyurethane (HVAC) solar water heater, heat pump, heat insulation and airtight high spraying insulation materials, insulation Low-E glass, window frame, LED lighting appliances, intelligent home appliances and HEMS.

By using these thermal insulation and energy saving technologies, the ZNE house can save about 60% of the new residential buildings in accordance with the latest building standards in California. Due to the realization of energy saving, but also to reduce the capacity of the set of photovoltaic power generation system. Herro proud to say, the same area of the house, previously required 7K ~ 10kW photovoltaic power generation system. And our ZNE residential just 3.5K ~ 4.5kW system is enough".

The construction of 20 ZNE residential area of 1939 ~ 2319 square feet. There are two kinds of layout options: (1) the living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, three Restroom, two car garage, or (2) four bedrooms, four bathrooms, three Restroom, three car garage. Price of 370 thousand to $440 thousand. By the way, the same area (3LDK) of the new residential average price of $310 thousand.

As Meritage Homes on earth day, the "happy earth, happy wallet" promotional activities, the original 20 ZNE residential property buyers do not need to pay any additional costs to enjoy the ZNE standard. In addition, Sierra Crest area of the construction of other residential users if you want to upgrade to ZNE residential, you can enjoy the discount offered by Meritage Homes.

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