Integrating Passive Design Strategies and Energy Generation Systems for Net Plus-Energy Housing in Egypt

Abstract

Global risks and challenges concerning climatic change, resource depletion and environmental degradation are becoming increasingly obvious. Egypt has recently suffered from fuel shortages combined with rising electricity costs and growing demand for energy. With the residential sector responsible for 50% of the national electricity consumption, net zero and net plus-energy buildings are becoming high priority. This paper investigates the combination of passive design strategies and energy generation systems to achieve compromises between the heating, cooling, lighting, domestic hot water and plug load requirements. The aim of this study is to achieve a balance, on an annual basis, between the energy consumption and production to reach net plus-energy house design. A three-bedroom apartment located in three different climatic zones in Egypt has been selected as a case study. These relevant locations are: Cairo, Alexandria and Aswan. IESVE software is used for energy simulation analysis. Results indicate that the significance for applying these strategies is not the same for all climatic conditions. Theoretically, it was found possible to achieve net plus-energy housing in Egypt where the energy production from PV cells array exceeded the total annual primary energy consumption. Area needed for PV array system in this case study reached 145 m2. Although roof may not provide sufficient space to cover consumptions for all units, additional spaces can be provided on building façades as well as parts of a community renewable energy supply system, thus moving steps forward from net zero-energy balance toward plus-energy performance.