What is a net zero energy building?

VIA International Living Future Institute

Zero energy is recognized worldwide as one of the highest aspirations in energy performance in the built environment. The International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) Zero Energy (ZE) Certification was created to allow projects to demonstrate zero energy performance, building an advanced cohort of projects with the integrity of third-party performance certification. This program, the only international zero energy certification:

• certifies that the building is truly operating as claimed, harnessing energy from the sun, wind or earth to produce net annual energy demand through a third-party audit of actual performance data

• provides a case study platform for your project to inform and accelerate other zero energy efforts throughout the world

• celebrates a significant accomplishment, and differentiates both the building and those responsible for its success in this quickly evolving market

The ILFI Zero Energy Standard is as follows:

One hundred percent of the building’s energy needs on a net annual basis must be supplied by on-site renewable energy. No combustion is allowed.

Certification is based on actual, not modeled, performance.  Complete documentation requirements can be seen here. (Please note that these documentation requirements are provided for information only —actual certification documentation occurs on the ILFI online platform).

There are a number of ZE Certification exceptions, related to use of offsetting offsite renewables, on-site combustion, and other circumstances. These exceptions, and associated required documentation, are found in the online Dialogue (available to registered projects – see below), as well as the Energy Petal Handbook.