Green buildings & construction
Energy-plus building
Definition
An energy-plus (plus-energy) building is a highly efficient building that produces a net annual energy surplus from locally available renewable sources, while maintaining low emissions and a balanced relationship between load and generation. It goes beyond net-zero buildings, which balance consumption and generation.
References
definition, annual surplus, local renewables
design characteristics, surplus production
Overview
What it means
PEBs combine passive design, very efficient systems and on-site renewables (typically solar PV and heat pumps, often with storage) so that surplus energy can serve neighbouring buildings, vehicles or the grid. The concept is promoted in EU research projects (e. g. Cultural-E) as a step beyond the EPBD's zero-emission building standard.
How it is used
Used in demonstration districts, positive-energy district programmes and advanced building certification; informs design targets in renovation policy.
Why it matters
Moving from zero-energy to positive-energy buildings turns the building stock from a demand problem into a distributed supply asset.