Advancing the Net Zero emission building concept: Integrating photovoltaics and electrical storage for NZEB environmental performance in different energy and climate contexts

Abstract

Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards are instrumental to drive sustainable construction and climate resilience. However, most analysis focus on the operational phase, overlooking embodied impacts from materials, construction, and end-of-life processes. This study addresses this gap by using a life cycle approach to evaluate NZEB environmental impacts in two contrasting grid and climate contexts. A calibrated building energy simulation and life cycle assessment (LCA) were used to compare three configurations: a base case without renewables, PV integration, and PV with Battery Storage System (BSS) integration.

The study revealed significant context-specific differences. In Benguerir, PV integration reduced the climate change impact by 31 % (avoiding 2727 Kg.Co2eq/Year), and adding BSS further reduced it by 51 % (avoiding 4941 Kg.Co2eq/Year), achieving environmental payback in 39 and 26 years, respectively. Conversely, in Lyon, PV integration increased the climate change impact by 20 % (adding 370 Kg.Co2eq/Year), and adding BSS raised it by 50 % (adding 929 Kg.Co2eq/Year), as the renewable energy generated did not compensate for the embodied impacts. The findings demonstrate that grid context and climatic conditions significantly influence the sustainability performance of the same building, highlighting the importance of context-specific strategies for renewable energy integration and building design.