Energy analysis of a nZEB standard residential building: case study in Rio de Janeiro

This research aims to identify the technical feasibility of the concept of Nearly Zero Energy Building according to Brazilian standards and climatic conditions. The analysis was performed under the most up-to-date normative references and through computational energy simulation via EnergyPlus software, focusing on the building envelope model of a residential building in Rio de Janeiro. A reference model and five other construction models common in the national market were analyzed in two scenarios: firstly, in terms of natural ventilation only, and then using natural ventilation alternating with artificial cooling. Although those models were shown to be in the scope of international benchmarks about energy consumption in warm climate areas, some models stood out. In this case, the model with the lowest energy consumption presented results 22% lower than the reference model. This model was then associated with a supply of solar photovoltaic energy in order to apply one of the fundamental requirements of nZEB: the use of renewable energy sources. The results show the potential for nZEB implementation in Brazil.