The Critical Role of Buildings in the Energy Transition

Phius (Passive House Institute US) building design principles aim to create comfortable living spaces while achieving high energy efficiency. Phius projects are designed to adapt to and mitigate the climate crisis by using renewable energy, electrical mechanical systems, and energy efficiency. Phius buildings typically use 40–60% less energy than traditionally designed buildings. While the Phius ZERO standard allows for both on-site and off-site renewable energy, it favors on-site and local renewable energy first. In addition, grid-interactive technology and demand response, or load shaping and shifting, particularly from the incorporation of simple, safe and energy efficient DC & Hybrid AC/DC microgrids, are projected as the best ways to utilize on-site clean energy resources. An overview of how Phius’ best practices for on-site energy conservation, generation, storage, and control, net out their annual operational energy with renewable energy, and become assets for the new renewable energy supported grid-of-grids will be presented.