This research work aims to evaluate the potential to transform Brazilian office buildings into Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB) in different climates, based on computer simulations. The development of the model was divided into three steps. The first step was the evaluation of the prototype case (reference building), which represents the current building typology of Brazilian office buildings. The second step was the development of an optimal case (low energy building) according to the Brazilian energy efficiency labelling system. The performance of both cases was determined and compared by calculating the building's heat balance and energy balance. Finally, the ZEB case was obtained by the application of solar energy technologies (BIPV) in the building. The simulations were carried out with the computer programs EnergyPlus and Daysim for two cities in two different climatic zones of Brazil: Fortaleza/CE and Florianopolis/SC. The results showed that, in Fortaleza, more photovoltaic modules were necessary due to the higher energy consumption, especially for cooling. In addition, the application of the Brazilian energy efficiency regulation for buildings allowed a reduction of almost 50% in the final energy consumption. However, others strategies were also necessary to reach ZEB, due to the use of PV windows.
Energy efficiency; Zero energy buildings; Semi-transparent photovoltaic (PV) windows; Computer simulation
