Methodology for developing economically efficient strategies for net zero energy buildings: A case study of a prototype building in the Yangtze River Delta, China.

The concept of net zero energy building (NZEB) has attracted worldwide attention and has the potential to achieve significant energy and emissions reductions. Various technical strategies have been demonstrated to be able to achieve the net-zero-energy target. However, this issue becomes more complex when the economic performances of these strategies are considered. Although studies on the economic performance of NZEBs can be found in the literature, gaps in the research still exist. This paper presents a systematic methodology that combines life cycle cost analysis, benefit-cost analysis, and dynamic building performance simulation to effectively evaluate the economic performance of individual NZEB technologies and holistic technical strategies and determine the most economically competitive options. To demonstrate the application and validity of the methodology, a case study of office buildings in the Yangtze River Delta region of China is presented. Although this case study is ad hoc, the proposed methodology is applicable to buildings of other types and in other regions as long as the climatic and economic conditions are known. • A methodology for developing economically efficient NZEB strategies is proposed. • The methodology combines building energy simulation, LCC and benefit-cost analysis. • A prototype of office buildings in the Yangtze River Delta region is established. • Economically competitive NZEB strategies for the prototype building are developed. • Without extra rooftop PV, designing the prototype as NZEB is economically inviable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]