Smart zero-energy buildings and communities have a major role to play in the evolution of the electric grid towards alignment with carbon neutrality policies. The goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment can be pursued through a holistic approach, including the drastic reduction of buildings’ energy consumption. The state-of-the-art in this field relates, on the one hand, to design methodologies and innovative technologies which aim to minimize the energy demand at the building level. On the other hand, the development of information and communication technologies, along with the integration of renewable energy and storage, provide the basis for zero and positive energy buildings and communities that can produce, store, manage and exchange energy at a local level. This book provides a structured and detailed insight of the state-of-the-art in this context based on the analysis of real case studies and applications.

Smart zero-energy buildings and communities have a major role to play in the evolution of the electric grid towards alignment with carbon neutrality policies. The goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment can be pursued through a holistic approach, including the drastic reduction of buildings’ energy consumption. The state-of-the-art in this field relates, on the one hand, to design methodologies and innovative technologies which aim to minimize the energy demand at the building level. On the other hand, the development of information and communication technologies, along with the integration of renewable energy and storage, provide the basis for zero and positive energy buildings and communities that can produce, store, manage and exchange energy at a local level. This book provides a structured and detailed insight of the state-of-the-art in this context based on the analysis of real case studies and applications.

SMART GRID AND ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES Discover foundational topics in smart grid technology as well as an exploration of the current and future state of the industry As the relationship between fossil fuel use and climate change becomes ever clearer, the search is on for reliable, renewable and less harmful sources of energy. Sometimes called the “electronet” or the “energy Internet,” smart grids promise to integrate renewable energy, information, and communication technologies with the existing electrical grid and deliver electricity more efficiently and reliably. Smart Grid and Enabling Technologies delivers a complete vision of smart grid technology and applications, including foundational and fundamental technologies, the technology that enables smart grids, the current state of the industry, and future trends in smart energy. The book offers readers thorough discussions of modern smart grid technology, including advanced metering infrastructure, net zero energy buildings, and communication, data management, and networks in smart grids. The accomplished authors also discuss critical challenges and barriers facing the smart grid industry as well as trends likely to be of importance in its future development. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to smart grid architecture, including traditional grids, the fundamentals of electric power, definitions and classifications of smart grids, and the components of smart grid technology An exploration of the opportunities and challenges posed by renewable energy integration Practical discussions of power electronics in the smart grid, including power electronics converters for distributed generation, flexible alternating current transmission systems, and high voltage direct current transmission systems An analysis of distributed generation Perfect for scientists, researchers, engineers, graduate students, and senior undergraduate students studying and working with electrical power systems and communication systems. Smart Grid and Enabling Technologies will also earn a place in the libraries of economists, government planners and regulators, policy makers, and energy stakeholders working in the smart grid field.

Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB): Concepts, Frameworks and Roadmap for Project Analysis and Implementation provides readers with the elements they need to understand, combine and contextualize design decisions on Net Zero Energy Buildings. The book is based on learned lessons from NZEB design, construction, operation that are integrated to bring the most relevant topics, such as multidisciplinarity, climate sensitivity, comfort requirements, carbon footprints, construction quality and evidence-based design. Chapters introduce the context of high performance buildings, present overviews of NZEB, cover the performance thresholds for efficient buildings, cover materials, micro-grid and smart grids, construction quality, performance monitoring, post occupancy evaluation, and more. - Offers a roadmap for engaging in energy efficiency in high performance buildings projects - Combines solid grounding in core concepts, such as energy efficiency, with a wider context that includes the technical, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions - Covers key areas for decision-making - Provides a logical framework to analyze projects in the context of environmental change - Presents worldwide examples and cases for different climates and societies

The new threshold for green building is not just low energy, it's net-zero energy. In The New Net Zero, sustainable architect Bill Maclay charts the path for designers and builders interested in exploring green design's new-frontier net-zero-energy structures that produce as much energy as they consume and are carbon neutral. In a nation where traditional buildings use roughly 40 percent of the total fossil energy, the interest in net-zero building is growing enormously--among both designers interested in addressing climate change and consumers interested in energy efficiency and long-term savings. Maclay, an award-winning net-zero designer whose buildings have achieved high-performance goals at affordable costs, makes the case for a net-zero future; explains net-zero building metrics, integrated design practices, and renewable energy options; and shares his lessons learned on net-zero teambuilding. Designers and builders will find a wealth of state-of-the-art information on such considerations as air, water, and vapor barriers; embodied energy; residential and commercial net-zero standards; monitoring and commissioning; insulation options; costs; and more. The comprehensive overview is accompanied by several case studies, which include institutional buildings, commercial projects, and residences. Both new-building and renovation projects are covered in detail. The New Net Zero is geared toward professionals exploring net-zero design, but also suitable for nonprofessionals seeking ideas and strategies on net-zero options that are beautiful and renewably powered.

Five papers were selected for this Special Issue, with three relating to solar energy applications in houses, smart cities, and microgrids; one studying the relationship between the smart city model and the concept of energy sustainability; and one addressing the following two topics: the lack of effectiveness of detection algorithms based on the voltage/frequency displacement concept under voltage-controlled inverters and the applicability limits of others based on the impedance measurement (IM).

This book paves the road for researchers from various areas of engineering working in the realm of smart cities to discuss the intersections in these areas when it comes to infrastructure and its flexibility. The authors lay out models, algorithms and frameworks related to the ‘smartness’ in the future smart cities. In particular, manufacturing firms, electric generation, transmission and distribution utilities, hardware and software computer companies, automation and control manufacturing firms, and other industries will be able to use this book to enhance their energy operations, improve their comfort and privacy, as well as to increase the benefit from the electrical system. The book pertains to researchers, professionals, and R&D in an array of industries.