Technical and economic feasibility study for a university zero energy building in Southern Brazil

Electricity plays a leading role in the fossil fuels to renewable energies matrix transition. In this context, buildings are among the principal electricity consumers, and Netzero Energy Buildings concept aims to reduce energy consumption through energy efficiency and offset consumption by renewable energy. This study objective is to analyze the technical and economic feasibility to make a university building a Zero Energy Building. It was carried out the characterization of a building of the University of Passo Fundo, in southern Brazil, with data about constructive characteristics, use and occupation, energy consumption, and renewable energy. After that, were defined the retrofit strategies, which will allow a reduction of 18,02 % of the building consumption. The on-site renewable energy system provided the performance rating of 0.92 used to design the ZEB scenarios. The three proposed scenarios had eligible payback times ranging from 2 to 10 years for payback. The building offers technical feasibility to become a Zero Energy Building due to favorable solar orientation and consumption reduction potential. The study contributes as a model for verifying energy efficiency strategies to be replicated for other typologies of buildings, collaborating to make a resilient and sustainable infrastructure, and meeting 2030 Agenda goals.