GREEN BUILDING- SUSTAINABLE BUILDING- NZEB

Green building: It is the practice of creating structures and

using processes that are environmentally responsible and
resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from
siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance,
renovation and deconstruction. This practice expands and
complements the classical building design concerns of
economy, utility, durability, and comfort. Green building is
also known as high-performance building.

Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall

impact of the built environment on human health and
the natural environment by:

 Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources

 Protecting occupant health and improving employee
productivity
 Reducing waste, pollution and environmental
degradation.

Sustainable building: The practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction,
renovation, operation, maintenance and demolition. A sustainable building has to be a healthy facility designed
and built in a cradle-to-cradle resource-efficient manner, using ecological principles, social equity, and life-cycle
quality value.
Developing sustainable buildings minimizes the use of water, raw materials, energy and land. It also reduces
emissions, waste and pollution in the environment.

Zero energy buildings: A zero-energy building, also known as a zero net energy (ZNE) building, net-zero energy
building (NZEB), net zero building or zero-carbon building is a building with zero net energy consumption,
meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount
of renewable energy created on the site, or in other definitions by renewable energy sources elsewhere.
They do at times consume non-renewable energy and produce greenhouse gases, but at other times reduce
energy consumption and greenhouse gas production elsewhere by the same amount.
Difference: Green buildings – Sustainable buildings – Net Zero Energy buildings

Though the words “green” and “sustainable” are often used interchangeably, there are several differences
between them, meaning that a “green” building is not always “sustainable."
A building is green when it helps reduce the footprint it leaves on the natural environment and on the health of
its inhabitants.
Green design includes building for energy efficiency, including the use of renewable energy sources such as
wind, water, or solar; creating a healthy indoor environment; implementing natural ventilation systems; and
using construction materials that minimise the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the building.

Sustainability has a more precise meaning derived from the term “sustainable agriculture,” which is the
production of any plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public
health, human communities, and animal welfare without compromising future generations’ ability to do the
same.

A very clear example of the difference between “green” and “sustainable,” can be the popular “green” bamboo
flooring. The lumber product made from a renewable resource is green, but most bamboo flooring is made in
China and transported by ships and trucks to different countries all around the world. The air pollution caused,
and the fuel used to transport the material turn it into the opposite of a sustainable material, since it
contributes to global climate change.

NET zero energy buildings simply put are buildings which generate as much energy as they consume over a
period. To put in practical terms, they are green buildings which reduce their energy consumption through
passive and active measures and then meet their energy needs through renewable sources of energy installed
on site. Such sources may include solar, wind and hybrid generation techniques.

EXAMPLES:

Green building:

Infinity Benchmark, Kolkata:

This 20 storey structure which is spread over
5,60,000sq.feet was 7th building in the world to
receive the LEED Platinum rating. The building is
furnished with Co2 monitor sensors, rainwater
harvesting, waste water recycling system and
humidification controls. The exterior of the
building is made of brick wall block while the
roof comprises of deck thick polyurethane foam
for better insulation.
Following are some green features of the
building:
 Indoor air quality: CO2 monitoring
sensors maintain the indoor air quality,
supplying fresh air depending on the occupancy
level. Another feature maintaining the indoor
environment is the presence of intelligent
humidification controls, very important for a
coastal place like Kolkata.

 Zero-discharge water facility: A rainwater harvesting system is installed that stores water in large
tanks. This water is treated and used to minimize need for any external water sources. The waste
water is treated and recycled for irrigation and cooling purposes. Low flow and efficient water
fixtures also make this building self-sufficient in its water needs.
 Effective insulation for energy efficiency: A terrace garden on the rooftop reduces the heat island effect that
is so common in cities like Kolkata. This goes a long way in minimizing the cooling needs of Infinity Benchmark.
The external walls are made of brick wall blocks with thick polystyrene insulation and ACP cladding. Similarly,
the roof has an under-deck thick polyurethane foam coating. Additionally, an energy-efficient design and
equipment are used to minimize the energy load.
 Effective glazing: Double-glazed glass units ensure maximum penetration of the day-light inside the building.
The natural lighting covers nearly 75% of the work area, reducing the need of artificial lighting. Double glazing
also reduces the heat intake that minimizes the load on air-conditioners.
 Recyclable construction material: To minimize the building’s impact on the environment, construction
materials having 20% recycled material were used. In addition, 20% locally available material was used to
reduce the impact of material transportation.

Sustainable building:

Micro Emission Sun-Moon Mansion, Dezhou, China:

Resembling a sundial, the Sun-Moon Mansion, in Dezhou, Shandong province, is 75,000 square meters in size and
one of the world's largest solar powered structures. The building contains offices, a hotel and a conference
canter, all powered by solar energy and featuring a solar powered hot water supply, energy saving glass, and
50,000 square feet of solar panelling.

The solar roof of the complex enables utilization of solar energy with solar thermal, photovoltaic and energy-
saving technologies. It uses more than 30 advanced technologies such as photovoltaic grid-connected power
generation, photo-electricity sun-shades, northern grilling sun-shades, and other technologies that boosts its
energy-saving efficiencies to 88%. The building is reported to save an estimated 2.5 tons standard coal, 6.6 million
kWh of electricity and more than 8.6 tons in toxic emissions. The buildings provide spaces for displays, research
and development, work, meetings, education, hotel, recreation, etc.
Net zero energy building:
Indira Paryavaran Bhavan:
It’s India’s first net zero energy building that has been constructed with adoption of solar passive design and
energy-efficient building materials.
The Indira Paryavaran Bhavan is one of the first buildings in India to have deployed energy efficiency and
renewable energy technologies at a large scale. It is one of the exemplary projects to be rated under Green
Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment [GRIHA] and has set standards that can be emulated by upcoming
buildings in the region.

The building has received GRIHA 5-star (provisional) rating for the following features:

 The design allows for 75 per cent of natural daylight to be utilised to reduce energy consumption.
 The entire building has an access friendly design for differently-abled persons.
 With an installed capacity of 930 kW peak power, the building has the largest rooftop solar system among
multi-storied buildings in India.

The building is fully compliant with requirements of the Energy Conservation Building Code of India (ECBC).
Total energy savings of about 40 per cent have been achieved through the adoption of energy efficient
chilled beam system of air-conditioning. As per this, air-conditioning is done by convection currents rather
than airflow through air handling units, and chilled water is circulated right up to the diffuser points unlike
the conventional systems.

Green materials like fly ash bricks, regional building materials, materials with high recyclable content, high
reflectance terrace tiles and rock wool insulation of outer walls have been used.

Use of renewable bamboo jute composite material for doorframes and shutters.

UPVC windows with hermetically sealed double glass. Calcium Silicate ceiling tiles with high recyclable
content and grass paver blocks on pavements and roads.

Reduction in water consumption has been achieved by use of low-discharge water fixtures, recycling of
waste water through sewage treatment plant, use of plants with low water demand in landscaping, use of
geothermal cooling for HVAC system, rainwater harvesting and use of curing compounds during
construction.