Daikin Europe N.V. announces its intent to join forces with major research institutions to develop economically feasible net zero energy building (nZEB) concepts based on heat pumps. The net zero project is scheduled for completion in July 2010 at Herten, Germany.

The EU has imposed ambitious reduction targets for the year 2020: a 20% reduction in energy use compared to projected levels, a 20% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to 1990 levels, and the use of 20% renewable energy. Presently the energy consumption of buildings accounts for 41% of total consumption, and of this, 80% of energy consumption is attributable to heating, cooling and hot water. Hence, it is clear that increasing building energy efficiency will play a major role in meeting these goals.

Daikin Europe N.V. takes seriously its responsibility in the light of Europe’s 20-20-20 targets and to proactively contribute to meeting these targets, the company has initiated a project to construct a typical office that will have a net zero energy use, utilizing heat pumps and solar cells as renewable energy source. Heat pumps will reduce CO₂ emissions compared to fossil fuel based heating concepts. In this, collaboration is being sought with major research and educational institutions in Europe to further optimize energy reducing technologies. The emphasis in the project is on practicality: the building type chosen – a combination office/warehouse complex – is an often used concept, and existing and easily available technologies will be applied. While a new building is being used for the project, the intent is to also gain information to apply to existing buildings.

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