Development and analysis of strategies to facilitate the conversion of Canadian houses into net zero energy buildings. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Asaee, S. Rasoul; Ugursal, V. Ismet; Beausoleil-Morrison, Ian
• Is Part Of: Energy policy. Volume 126(2019)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: CO2e Equivalent CO2 (kg) -- Euse, i Energy use of type i -- Egen, j Energy generation of type j -- EESsc.i end-use energy savings ratio due to each retrofit scenario (i = 1–6) -- EECHS end-use energy consumption of the CHS -- EEEL, Sc.i post retrofit end-use energy consumption of eligible houses (i = 1–6) -- EEN-E, Sc.i end-use energy consumption of houses not eligible for retrofit (i = 1–6) -- GEIEL, Sc.i GHG emission intensity of eligible houses (i = 1–6) -- GEIN-E, Sc.i GHG emission intensity of non-eligible houses for each retrofit scenario (i = 1–6) -- GER GHG emission reduction (decimal) -- GERSc.i GHG emission reduction ratio due to each retrofit scenario (i = 1–6) -- GHGCHS GHG emission of the CHS -- GHGEL, Sc.i post retrofit GHG emission of eligible houses (i = 1–6) -- GHGN-E, Sc.i GHG emission of houses not eligible for retrofit (i = 1–6) -- ruse, i Source energy conversion factor of energy use type i -- rgen, j Source energy conversion factor for energy type j -- SEIEL, Sc.i Source energy intensity of eligible houses (i = 1–6) -- SEIN-E, Sc.i Source energy intensity of non-eligible houses (i = 1–6) -- TCC Tolerable capital cost (C$) -- AB Alberta -- AL Appliance and lighting -- ASHP Air source heat pump -- AT Atlantic provinces (i.e. NF, NS, PE and NB) -- AWHP Air to water heat pump -- BC British Columbia -- BIPV/T Building integrated photovoltaic and thermal -- CHREM Canadian Hybrid Residential End-Use Energy and GHG Emissions model -- CHP Combined heat and power -- CHS Canadian housing stock -- COP Coefficient of performance -- CSDDRD Canadian single detached and double/row database -- C$ Canadian dollar -- DHW Domestic hot water -- GHG Greenhouse gas -- HP Heat pump -- HVAC Heating, ventilation and air conditioning -- ICE Internal combustion engine -- MB Manitoba -- NB New Brunswick -- NF Newfoundland and Labrador -- NG Natural gas -- NS Nova Scotia -- NZE Net zero energy -- NZEB Net zero energy building -- NZEm Net zero emission -- NZEmB Net zero emission building -- OEE Office of energy efficiency -- ON Ontario -- PCM Phase change material -- PE, PEI Prince Edward Island -- PR Prairie provinces (i.e. MB, SK and AB) -- PV Photovoltaic -- PV/T Photovoltaic thermal -- QC Quebec -- SAHP Solar assisted heat pump -- SE Stirling engine -- SK Saskatchewan -- SNEBRN Smart net-zero energy buildings strategic research network; Net zero energy building -- Housing stock -- Energy intensity -- GHG emissions intensity -- Energy policy -- Energy retrofit; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Politique énergétique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.10.055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4215

Abstract

Abstract: Canada has numerous climatic and geographical regions and the Canadian housing stock (CHS) is diversified in terms of vintage, geometry, construction materials, envelope, occupancy, energy sources and heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and equipment. Therefore, strategies to achieve net zero energy (NZE) status with the current stock of houses need to be devised considering the unique characteristics of the housing stock, the economic conditions and energy mix available in each region. Identifying and assessing pathways for converting existing houses to NZE buildings at the housing stock level is a complex and multifaceted problem and requires extensive analysis on the impact of energy efficiency and renewable/alternative energy technology retrofits on the energy use and GHG emissions of households. A techno-economic analysis of retrofitting renewable/alternative energy technologies in the CHS to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions was conducted to develop strategies to achieve or approach NZE status for Canadian houses. The results indicate that substantial energy savings and GHG emission reductions are techno-economically feasible for the CHS through careful selection of retrofit options. While achieving large scale conversion of existing houses to NZEB is not feasible, approaching NZE status is a realistic goal for a large percentage of Canadian houses. Highlights: Strategies to support conversion of Canadian houses into net zero energy buildings was developed. A bottom-up housing stock model was used to evaluate techno-economic feasibility of retrofit scenarios. Source energy intensity and GHG emission intensity of houses were used as performance indicators. Retrofit scenarios for each province need to be identified based on the desired perspective. Proposed strategies can be used to develop and update energy conservation programs.