International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)

ISSN : 2454-9150 Vol-04, Issue-10, Jan 2019

NZEB: A Case Study of Indira Paryavaran Bhawan

Balkar Singh, Research Scholar, Deptt. of Civil Engg., NITTTR, Chandigarh, India
balkar.22@gmail.com
Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Prof. & Head, Deptt. of Civil Engg., NITTTR, Chandigarh, India
sanjaysharmanitttr@gmail.com
Dr. Poonam Syal, Associate Professor, Deptt. of Electrical, Engg., NITTTR, Chandigarh, India
poonamsyal@nitttrchd.ac.in

Abstract: The net zero energy building design concept has gained wide international attention for the mitigation of
carbon dioxide emission by adopting renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in the building sector. It is now
considered widely with the introduction of net metering system of onsite renewable energy generation and grid power
utilization. Integration of solar photovoltaic power plant has boosted the morale of owners and building design
professionals for construction of energy efficient buildings and use of clean and green renewable energy. The design
strategy of net zero energy building is the ultimate solution to reduce energy consumption in the building sector
resulting considerable carbon dioxide emission reduction. The architects and building design professionals have
attempted this new design concept on the some important buildings, one of them is the Indira Paryavaran Bhawan
constructed at New Delhi in composite climate zone in India. In this research paper, a case study of Indira Paryavaran
Bhawan has been discussed in respect of energy efficiency and integration of renewable energy. Various design
strategies adopted in this building have been analyzed which can help in developing design considerations for Net Zero
Energy Building (NZEB) in the composite climate.

Key words: Clean and Green Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Net Metering, Composite Climate

I. INTRODUCTION results[4]. Some construction and building materials will

deserve a special attention under the sustainable
Climate change caused by the release of greenhouse gas development focus of horizon 2020. It includes eco-
emission into the atmosphere is one of the greatest threats efficient thermal insulators, materials for mitigating
in future. Building sector is one of the largest consumers of building cooling needs, material with reduced embodied
energy, responsible for 33% of energy related carbon energy, materials capable of reusing a high waste content
dioxide emissions worldwide [1]. Design and construction and nanotech energy efficiency building materials [5].
of energy efficient buildings is one of the solutions to
combat global warming. Enhanced energy efficiency can be The orientation of the buildings should remain in east
accomplished by addressing the related issues every stage west direction; less radiation will be received by walls in
of building, from planning, designing, material summer and more in winter in comparison to other
arrangements, construction and use. It is testimony to the orientations. It minimizes the heat load in summer and is a
fact that necessity for design of functional and energy very effective passive cooling strategy. Cavity walls are
efficient buildings has been very well recognized. The also very useful in controlling the heat gain of the
efforts are needed to design and construct buildings that building[6]. Energy efficiency in buildings can be achieved
would function in conformity with the climate and not only by addressing various codal requirements right from
against it[2]. Availability of appropriate and cost effective planning and design and right through the construction
building materials and equipment and facilities to test the phases of building projects[7]. With appropriate use of green
performance of these materials and equipment is being construction materials like fly ash brick, Pozzolana Portland
addressed through the establishment of testing centres in the cement and recycled steel significant amount of cost and
country[3]. Incorporation of simple energy efficient CO2 emissions saving is achieved[8]. With little extra
measures in buildings can reduce a significant amount of investment, tremendous energy and water savings are
energy consumption. Appropriate knowledge and possible. The relevant code and the star rating program will
technology is available for creating energy efficient and go a long way to encourage energy efficiency[9].
green buildings but behavioral, organizational and financial
barriers need to be overcome for achieving desired

525 | IJREAMV04I1046134 DOI : 10.18231/2454-9150.2018.1398 © 2019, IJREAM All Rights Reserved.

 International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)
ISSN : 2454-9150 Vol-04, Issue-10, Jan 2019

The sustainability of PV system is affected by its efficiency and generate onsite sufficient renewable energy
installation, orientation and location. Higher incident solar to run the building. Special emphasis was given to reduce
irradiance is one key for the sustainability of BIPV energy demand by providing adequate natural light,
technology applications[10]. Innovative and customized shading, landscape to reduce ambient temperatures and
solutions for sustainable, environmentally friendly and cost provision of energy efficient active building systems. Apart
effective construction of buildings can only be realized if from energy efficiency measures, energy conservation
the conflicting priorities of sustainability, cost effectiveness measures were also adopted by the design team to reduce
and design can be reconciled[11]. The effect of PV shading the energy loads and generating energy from the onsite
on heating, cooling and lighting energy has to be taken into solar panels thus meeting the net zero building criteria. The
account. The analysis of overall performance of PV various strategies involved in designing the building and
window is based on the simulations and measurements[12,13]. meeting all the criteria‟s of a net zero building have been
Considering the current state-of-the-art technology for discussed in this case study.
BIPV roofing systems, with some modification/revisions,
the existing technologies may be converted to vertical BIPV
that would meet owner desired criterion developed through
the matrices established[14,15]. The definition of PV
integration criteria seems one of the necessary instruments
for the solar implementation within historicized contexts,
aimed to technological innovation and energy efficiency[16].
With the drastic fall in prices of solar photovoltaic modules
and balance of systems on the one hand, and the high and
rising tariffs of certain consumer categories in India on the
other, grid-connected solar Rooftop PV systems are
becoming increasingly viable economically[17,18].
Integration of passive design technologies, energy efficient Fig. 1 North Edge Road View of The Indira Paryavaran
measures and renewable energy system are the key focus Bhawan
areas to define criteria of net zero energy building for
First design consideration was taken to preserve as many
composite climate zone[19]. The zero energy buildings have
existing trees as possible without compromising on its
the promising potential to reduce the energy use and
functional efficiency and user comfort. Various design
increase the share of renewable energy[20]. There is a need
option were considered and finally decided to place twin
of robust zero calculation methodology to reach at net zero
North South facing blocks with a large open space court at
energy building design.
the centre (Fig. 2). The height of the building was kept in
Out of different climate zones, composite climate zone tune with the surroundings and taking maximum allowed
has typical mix of hot, dry, humid and cold climatic ground coverage. Only 19 trees were chopped out of
conditions – a challenge for the design professionals to permission granted for 46 trees. The layout of the building
design net zero energy building. The building of Indira was designed to make it most environments friendly and
Paryavaran Bhawan has been set up to demonstrate energy energy efficient.
efficient technologies and use of renewable energy through
roof top solar power plant to meet the total energy
requirements of the office building. This building is
selected for carrying out case study for net zero energy
building falls under composite climate zone.

II. INDIRA PARYAVARAN BHAWAN

The Indira Paryavaran Bhawan is the office building of Fig. 2 Final design of twin North South facing blocks
the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) and is built with central open space court
under the concept of Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB). It
is situated at Aliganj on JorBagh Road in South Delhi. This The landscape and horticulture design of planting native
new building was constructed by providing minimum species and use of efficient irrigation systems leads upto
change to the old building and minimum disturbance to the 50% reduction of water requirement. The balance demand
of water was designed to meet by recycling, reusing the
surrounding ecosystem. The work of designing the
building was carried out by the Central Public Works waste water and rainwater harvesting system. Further water
Department (CPWD) and the sustainable design efficient fixtures have been used and provided effective site
consultants, Architects and Planners. The aim and objective water management system making it zero discharge to the
of designing this building was to bring maximum energy city storm water system (Fig. 3).

526 | IJREAMV04I1046134 DOI : 10.18231/2454-9150.2018.1398 © 2019, IJREAM All Rights Reserved.

 International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)
ISSN : 2454-9150 Vol-04, Issue-10, Jan 2019

Day-lighting: The inner courtyard serves as a natural light

well. The day light is covered more than 75% of building
floor space. The dependence on artificial sources of lighting
has been reduced to minimum.
Ventilation: Central courtyard helps in air movement as
natural ventilation happens due to stack effect. Windows
add to cross ventilation.
Building Envelope and Fenestration: The window
assembly of U-value 0.049 W/m2K, VLT 0.59 and solar
heat gain coefficient of 0.32 is used to optimize the building
Fig. 3 The Efficient water management makes it zero envelope. The windows with uPVC frame are hermetically
discharge building sealed double glazed using high efficiency and low heat
transmittance index glass. Rock wool is used for insulation
2.1 DESIGN STRATEGY for wall assembly. The roofs are made with cool roof
The design of the Indira Paryavaran Bhawan involves three treatment using high reflectance terrace tiles for low heat
design strategies. First is Passive Design Strategy, second is ingress, high strength and hard wearing.
Active Design Strategy and third is use of Renewable Materials and construction techniques: Autoclave
Energy System used to make it most energy efficient Aerated Concrete blocks are used for walls with fly ash
building. All the three design strategies discussed cement plaster. Local stone was used for flooring. Bamboo
simultaneously to reach at the most effective and workable jute composite doors, frames used as natural resource which
environment friendly and energy efficient design of the is replenished faster than regular timber trees. Light shelves
building. are made for diffused sunlight.
2.1.1 PASSIVE DESIGN STRATEGY 2.1.2 ACTIVE DESIGN STRATEGY
All the passive components such as orientation, Various active design strategies were adopted during the
Landscaping, day-lighting, ventilation, building envelope, design of the building.
materials and constructions techniques were looked upon
during the design phase of the building. Lighting Design: Interior and exterior lighting system
was designed by providing energy efficient lights. The
Orientation: The orientation of the building was set artificial lighting is controlled using lux level sensor to
towards north south direction with two separate blocks optimize energy efficiency in lighting. The lighting power
connected through corridors. A huge central court yard was density is maintained near to 5 W/m2 which is 50% more
placed for natural sky light and air movement in the efficient than Energy Conservation Building Code
building. It creates a landscaped connection with rest of the provisions.
vegetation, provides cross ventilation within the building.
The hot air escapes easily and the cool air is preserved. It Optimized HVAC system: The chilled beam system
minimizes the heat ingress in to the building. The optimal technology was used to reduce energy consumption upto
window to wall ratio is provided. 50% as compared to conventional system. 160 TR of air
conditioning load of the building is met through Chilled
beam system. Chilled beam are used from second to sixth
floor. Variable frequency drives used for water cooled
chillers, double skin air handling units. The fresh supply air
is pre cooled from toilet exhaust air through sensible and
latent heat energy recovery wheel. Integrated building
management system is set up to control HVAC equipments
and monitoring of all systems. The room temperature is
being maintained at 26 ±1 ° C optimizing energy efficiency
in HVAC.
Fig. 4 The courtyard creates cross ventilation within the
2.1.3. GEOTHERMAL HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEM
building
Geothermal heat exchanging system has been set up with
Landscaping and horticulture: The building is covered
180 vertical bores to the depth of 80 meter all along the
with plantation from outside. Circulation roads and
building premises. Minimum 3 meter distance is maintained
pathways are soft paved to enable ground water recharge.
between any two bores. Each bore has HDPE pipe U-loop
of 32mm outer diameter and is connected to the condenser

527 | IJREAMV04I1046134 DOI : 10.18231/2454-9150.2018.1398 © 2019, IJREAM All Rights Reserved.

 International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)
ISSN : 2454-9150 Vol-04, Issue-10, Jan 2019

water pipe system in the central air conditioning plant met with equivalent annual energy generation of 14.3 lakh
room. Single U-Loop of 0.9 TR heat rejection capacity kWh from Solar Power Plant installed on site. It is a set
combined together with 160 TR of heat rejection is example of net zero energy building design in composite
obtained without using a cooling tower. climate zone and is a sustainable paradigm of energy self
sufficiency of an office building. It will help to boost the
2.1.4 RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM
confidence of architects, design professionals and builders
The building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) Power Plant to adopt these building design strategies for future
has been installed to meet the reduced energy demand of construction of new and upcoming buildings. The design
the building with clean and green renewable energy system parameters adopted in the building will enlighten the
Fig. 5. Roof top solar photovoltaic power plant of capacity academician and professional for defining design criteria of
930 kW has been set on total area of 6000 m2 with solar net zero energy buildings in composite climate conditions.
panel area of 4650 m2. This solar power plant is generating
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528 | IJREAMV04I1046134 DOI : 10.18231/2454-9150.2018.1398 © 2019, IJREAM All Rights Reserved.

 International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)
ISSN : 2454-9150 Vol-04, Issue-10, Jan 2019

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529 | IJREAMV04I1046134 DOI : 10.18231/2454-9150.2018.1398 © 2019, IJREAM All Rights Reserved.