Moving to Net Zero

Many obstacles exist in the marketplace, such as lack of awareness and knowledge, and tight budgets during a difficult economic time. However, demand for energy savings and the push from governments and utilities via policies, codes, and legislation will drive innovation in the Net Zero space and increase interest from consumers in ZNE homes.

Implications on the Net Zero Players

Electricity Providers

With the goals to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases, expect renewable energy and storage to exist behind the meter, at the micro-grid community level and at larger scale utility operations. The distributed energy segment will continue to see rapid gains in efficiencies and lower costs as adoption increases. Enhanced load shedding and load shifting will be implemented to optimize renewable wind, solar, and storage.

Builders

As demonstrated by the collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Habitat for Humanity in Colorado, new construction of ZNE homes can been cost effective. The demand is there – 62% of households say their electricity bills are too high so the new group of home buyers will certainly see the appeal of energy-efficient homes. While some builders have differentiated themselves by offering higher efficiency homes and focusing on the additional benefits, the status quo remains for the majority. Builders who are willing to invest in the skills and materials needed to build net zero homes have an opportunity to tap into a growing market.

Smart Home Players

Smart home manufacturers and retailers have an opportunity to work with builders to develop smart home packages that support the ZNE goal. Custom builders have full flexibility with regards to brands and mixes of devices. Production builders will want a more standardized solution, representing an opportunity to sell in bulk but an implicit requirement for cost savings and additional support. Also, manufacturers and installers of connected energy devices have an opportunity to work with energy providers and policymakers to push for their products to be included in requirements for energy-efficiency programs that work in a ZNE context.

This excerpt is from a?Parks Associates?white paper in partnership with?Nice Group, “Building Net Zero Homes with Home Management Systems,” written by Jennifer Kent, Ph.D. , VP, Research, Parks Associates . To access this complimentary white paper, visit:?https://online.flippingbook.com/view/607603400/