NZEB - Nearly Zero Energy Buildings in Ireland
Paul Mulhern
Today we've been at the nZEB-15 National Retrofit Conference at Dublin Institute of Technology listening to the latest research, developments and education in this energy retrofit technology for Irish buildings.
Introduction video - Near Zero Energy Buildings
Some Information on Nearly Zero Energy Buildings standards in Ireland:
From January, 1st 2019 every new public building will have to be designed to nearly zero energy building standards. Also, all other new buildings will have to comply with the new nearly zero energy buildings standards from January, 1st 2021. This arises from the Recast European Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/30/EU.
For a typical dwelling this will equate to 45 kWh/m2/annum and an Energy Performance Coefficient (EPC) and Carbon Performance Coefficient (CPC) of 0.302 and 0.305 in accordance with the common general framework set out in Annex I of Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (Recast). This takes account of the energy load for space heating, water heating, fixed lighting and ventilation. A very significant proportion of which will be covered from renewable energy sources produced on-site or nearby. (Ref: Towards Nearly Zero Energy Buildings in Ireland – Planning for 2020 and beyond.
The proposed improvement from current building standards to an intermediate and final NZEB target for buildings other than dwellings are:
Targets will be further refined when developing new the technical performance standard TGD L – Buildings other than Dwellings. (Source: Towards NZEB in Ireland- Planning for 2020 and beyond)
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD - 2002/91/EC) is the main European legislative instrument for improving the energy efficiency of Europe's building stock. Under the Directive, the following obligations were introduced in all Member States:
- A methodology to calculate and rate the integrated energy performance of buildings
- A system of energy certification for new and existing buildings, with display requirements for public buildings
- Regular inspections of heating and air-conditioning systems
- Minimum energy performance standards for new buildings and for existing buildings that undergo major renovation with a useful floor area over 1000m2
The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was transposed into Irish Law from 2006 onwards.
From 2013, the EPBD was superseded by the Recast EPBD and S.I. No 666 of 2006 was superseded by S.I. 243 of 2012. See more at: http://www.seai.ie/Your_Building/EPBD
Changes in the Building Regulations in Ireland
Building Regulations were first introduced in Ireland in 1976 in Draft form and revised draft Regulations were introduced in 1981. The Building Regulations were formally revised in 1991, 1997, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011.
There have been significant step changes in the Irish Building Regulations since 2005. Technical Guidance Document Part L (TGD L), of the 2008 Regulations required a 40% reduction in primary energy use compared to a reference dwelling specified in the TGD Part L 2005 Regulations. TGD L of the 2011 Regulations require a 60% reduction in the primary energy us. The gradual improvements leading to NZEB standards for dwellings are summarised in the table below.
*These energy values are for a typical two storey semi-detached house.