How will climate alter efficiency objectives? Simulated impact of using recent versus historic european weather data for the cost-optimal design of nearly zero energy buildings (NZEBs)

Abstract

Achieving “nearly zero energy buildings” (NZEB) has been established as a vital objective over the next decade within the European Union (EU) [1,2]. Previous work has shown that a series of very cost effective thermal efficiency measures, equipment, appliance and renewable energy choices are available across climates to reach the NZEB objective. Resulting detailed energy and economic optimization findings have been obtained and published [3,4]. One area that has just begun to be explored, however, is how selection of weather files and their application against coming climate change can influence outcomes from energy optimization procedures.