Proposal for zero energy housing designs in Jordan: Achieving Sustainability through Innovative Architecture

Proposal for zero energy housing designs in Jordan: Achieving Sustainability through Innovative Architecture

Proposal for Zero Energy Housing Designs in Jordan: Achieving Sustainability through Innovative Architecture

The construction industry is a major consumer of global energy, accounting for nearly one-third of the world’s total energy use. As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources and carbon neutrality, the design of zero-energy buildings (ZEBs) has become increasingly crucial. A ZEB generates enough renewable energy to satisfy or exceed its annual energy demand, reducing the reliance on non-renewable energy sources and greenhouse gas emissions.

Jordan, a country heavily dependent on imported oil and gas, has set ambitious goals to increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity generation and overall energy mix by 2030. The residential sector, which constitutes 72% of the country’s building stock, presents a significant opportunity for achieving substantial energy savings through the implementation of low-energy use intensity (EUI) design principles.

This study, conducted by researchers at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, addresses the pressing need for zero-energy residential building designs tailored to Jordan’s diverse climate zones. By leveraging statistical analysis, architectural design, and energy simulation tools, the team has developed a set of region-specific zero-energy housing designs that serve as benchmarks for enhancing energy efficiency and promoting renewable energy adoption in the residential sector.

Renewable Energy Strategies

Solar Power Integration

Jordan’s abundant solar energy potential, with annual daily solar irradiance ranging from 5 to 7 kWh/m2 and 330 sunny days each year, makes photovoltaic (PV) systems a particularly attractive and cost-effective option for residential buildings consuming more than 5,000 kWh annually. The proposed zero-energy designs strategically incorporate PV systems on flat roofs, optimizing their installation and maximizing the available roof area for renewable energy generation.

Passive Cooling Techniques

In Jordan’s warm and dry climate, the integration of passive cooling strategies, such as exterior shading devices, plays a crucial role in minimizing the energy required for cooling. The proposed designs feature adjustable shading solutions, such as roller shutters and retractable sunshades, to precisely control daylight, sunlight, and outdoor views, thereby reducing solar heat gain and glare.

Energy-Efficient Building Practices

The zero-energy designs prioritize the optimization of the building envelope’s thermal performance, with a focus on achieving the target U-factor for wall, roof, and fenestration components. This approach, combined with the selection of energy-efficient windows, doors, and lighting systems, ensures that the energy loads are minimized before the integration of renewable energy systems.

Architectural Innovations

Bioclimatic Design Principles

The proposed zero-energy housing designs are strategically oriented along the east-west axis to maximize the efficiency of solar-control strategies and passive solar design parameters, such as sunlight, shading, and thermal mass. This orientation minimizes challenges with solar gain and glare on the east and west facades while optimizing the southern façade for shading.

Adaptive Building Envelopes

The innovative building envelopes incorporate energy-efficient materials and advanced insulation techniques to enhance thermal performance and reduce energy consumption. The designs also feature daylighting strategies, including strategically placed windows and glazed interior doors, to harness natural light and reduce the reliance on artificial lighting.

Integrated Green Infrastructure

The zero-energy designs incorporate green infrastructure elements, such as roof gardens and vertical greenery, to provide additional thermal and aesthetic benefits. These elements not only contribute to improved indoor environmental quality but also enhance the overall sustainability of the buildings.

Environmental Impact Mitigation

Reduced Carbon Footprint

By achieving zero-energy performance, the proposed designs significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the residential sector in Jordan. The integration of renewable energy systems, energy-efficient building practices, and passive cooling strategies collectively contribute to a substantial decrease in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the buildings’ operational phase.

Water Conservation Measures

The zero-energy designs prioritize water conservation through the selection of high-efficiency fixtures and equipment, reducing the overall water demand and the associated energy requirements for water heating and distribution.

Waste Management Solutions

The architectural and engineering approaches employed in the zero-energy designs consider the efficient management of construction waste, minimizing the environmental impact during the buildings’ construction and eventual demolition or repurposing.

Socioeconomic Considerations

Affordable Housing Initiatives

The study’s findings demonstrate that the proposed zero-energy designs can be constructed at a cost comparable to, or even lower than, conventional code-compliant houses in Jordan. This economic feasibility is crucial in promoting the widespread adoption of sustainable housing solutions, addressing the need for affordable and energy-efficient residential options.

Community Engagement Approaches

The design process involved extensive engagement with Jordanian homeowners, capturing their preferences and incorporating them into the proposed zero-energy housing designs. This collaborative approach ensures that the designs resonate with the local community and foster a sense of ownership, contributing to the long-term success and acceptance of these sustainable housing solutions.

Policy and Regulatory Frameworks

The study’s findings align with Jordan’s ambitious energy strategy for 2030, which aims to achieve a 30% share of renewables in the total electricity generation capacity and a 14% contribution to the total energy mix. The proposed zero-energy designs serve as valuable benchmarks and guides for policymakers, regulators, and the construction industry to drive the nation’s transition towards a more sustainable built environment.

The European Future Energy Forum is an influential platform for sharing innovative solutions and best practices in the renewable energy sector. This study’s comprehensive approach to designing zero-energy residential buildings in Jordan, with a focus on renewable energy integration, energy-efficient building practices, and environmental impact mitigation, offers valuable insights for the European audience. By showcasing these innovative architectural designs, the forum can inspire and inform the ongoing efforts to achieve sustainability in the built environment across the European continent and beyond.

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