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The application of a photovoltaic (PV) system for zero energy buildings is crucial to balance energy consumption. This paper investigated the potential of PV systems for buildings in different climate zones of China. The tilt angle, orientation, plot ratio, PV conversion efficiency and location were selected to study their influences on electricity production. The performance of the PV system was analyzed based on a residential building, and employed RETScreen in combination with TRNSYS. The results indicate that southwest China is the best place to develop zero energy buildings. Low-rise residential buildings can realize zero energy in China when the PV conversion efficiency is higher than 20%. However, an energy balance only occurs in the southwest when the PV conversion efficiency is 10%. For different building heights, with a high conversion efficiency (20%), the energy consumptions rates are less than 15 kW h/m2a all over China. In the southeast, the effect of the building shape on energy generation can be ignored due to the high solar elevation angle in the summer. Although the optimal tilt angle varies for different cities, the energy deviations are less than 10% when tilt angle is within 10° of the optimal angle. This study proposed a formula to evaluate the potential of a building PV system. The maximum difference between the simulated and calculated results is approximately 10%, which is reasonable and acceptable. This paper provides some references for the application of PV systems in zero energy buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although industrialized residential buildings (IRBs) are a significant contribution to sustainable construction, the lack of standardized design hampers their development. This study, therefore, develops a three-level modular grid (TLMG) system to fill this gap. The paper first introduces state-of-the-art modular construction for IRBs and then comparatively analyses the bottom-up and top-down modular coordination approaches to address the complex interrelationships between the modular grid and assembled parts. Comparative analysis results show that the TLMG system based on a top-down design approach can meet the requirements of a standardized design. Finally, the proposed modular grid system is validated through an actual residential building project in Nanjing, China. Interestingly, the TLMG system applied in the case project increases the assembly rate of IRBs to 90%. Applying a TLMG system enables the overall dimensions of the building to control local sizes and obtain coordination between them. Moreover, the TLMG system is not only suitable for residential buildings but can also be implemented in other types of buildings such commercial and educational buildings. The proposed methodology can also be referred to by other researchers and practitioners to improve the sustainable construction of industrialized buildings. • A three-level modular grid (TLMG) system is developed to support the standardized design of residential buildings. • The top-down method has advantages in promoting sustainable construction. • Validating through an actual residential building project in Nanjing, China. • The TLMG system fosters the development of industrialized residential buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved resource efficiency in the construction industry is needed to balance sustainability requirements with growing demand for new infrastructure. Resource efficiency includes the reduction of primary and non-renewable materials, the creation of high-quality products with minimal waste, and the retention of long-term product value. One potential source of resource efficiency is the increased adoption of industrialized housing construction which includes novel construction methods and products. Current literature identifies numerous opportunities for resource efficiency in industrialized housing construction. However, this literature is scattered across several sources and units of analysis. Using a Systematic Literature Review, this paper identifies eight recurrent product and process-related themes and fifteen specific subthemes of resource efficiency in industrialized housing construction across building lifecycle phases. These themes can be based on product such as the use of innovative and industrial materials or on process such as the use of inventory monitoring and tracking. Additional industry and regulatory themes are also identified. Furthermore using frequency analysis of literature, the paper finds while themes of resource efficiency exist across all building lifecycle phases, the most recurring themes occur in design, manufacturing and logistics phases. There is less literature dedicated to resource efficiency during occupancy and end-of-life phases. The paper further discusses how early design decisions such as material design have a systems-level impact that propagates throughout the building lifecycle, and how a beyond-systems approach is needed between stakeholders and processes to integrate current resource efficiency potentials into industrialized housing construction practice. Finally, the paper identifies future research directions for resource-efficient industrialized housing construction including concepts of circular economy, value chain coordination, and socio-economic impacts. • Systematic review of 86 papers on resource efficiency for industrialized housing construction. • Eight product and process related recurring themes and 15 subthemes identified for resource efficiency. • Resource efficiency opportunities are most frequent during value creation phases. • Early design decisions impact potential for subsequent resource efficiency. • Resource efficiency depends on multiple stakeholders and building lifecycle phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technological innovation systems (TIS) literature and the strand of system building studies explain the role of networks in the strategic creation of favorable institutional conditions for sustainability transitions. To better understand collective system building, it is important to delve into the formation of networks composed of diverse organizations, including firms, as well as government and civil society organizations, such as alliances. In this paper, we propose an analytical framework for the study of factors that influence the formation of alliances, as well as the contribution of alliances to system building. To illustrate our analytical framework empirically, we conduct a case study of the Green Protein Alliance (GPA), a distinctive example of an alliance network aiming to promote the transition to plant-based diets in the Netherlands. The results highlight the importance of organizational motives, organizational resources, and relationships for the formation of alliances. These factors also influence the type and course of system building strategies, as well as the creation of system-level resources. Moreover, we argue that alliances between diverse types of organizations can provide opportunities to accelerate transitions by promoting the adoption of potentially beneficial innovations and sustainable consumption. • To better understand collective system building, it is important to delve into the formation of alliances. • Organizational motives, organizational resources and relationships are involved in the formation of alliances. • These factors also influence the type and course of system building strategies, as well as the creation of system-level resources. • Alliances can accelarate the adoption of potentially beneficial innovations and sustainable consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]