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Abstract
Zero net energy homes (ZNEH) are energy-efficient grid-connected houses with on-site electrical production from renewable energy sources, from photovoltaic (PV) sources in the present study. ZNEH send electricity to the utility when there is a surplus and draw from the same grid in the case of on-site energy production shortage. On an annual basis, the excess energy sent to the utility is enough to balance the amount purchased. The objective of the present study is to simulate, using the TRNSYS/IISiBat software, a ZNEH equipped with a PV systems and a geothermal heat pump.
The results presented in this thesis show that ZNEH using existing technologies are feasible in Canada. For Montréal, the annual energy needs of the ZNEH are 13550 kWh whereas the PV system produces 13655 kWh annually, giving essentially a zero balance.
A parametric analysis reveals that it is possible to reduce the size of the costly PV system by using existing technologies which are more energy efficient. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
