Aiming to reduce energy costs and minimize the carbon footprint of their buildings, governments, corporations, and home-builders are pursuing zero energy building (ZEB) solutions.  Also called net zero energy buildings, ZEBs bring together existing energy efficient technologies to form a high-performance building.  According to a new report from Navigant Research, worldwide revenue from ZEBs is expected to grow from $629 million annually in 2014 to more than $1.4 trillion in 2035. 

“The global zero energy building market has many pockets of potential growth, but challenges remain in defining what exactly a ZEB is, as well as raising awareness of the increasing accessibility of these solutions,” says Noah Goldstein, research director with Navigant Research.  “The strongest driver for this market is regulation, as policies like the European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and California’s evolving Title 24 building code bring ZEB markets into being for new commercial, new residential, and retrofitted commercial spaces.”

The technology and equipment associated with the building envelope are developing rapidly, reducing the soft costs associated with ZEBs, according to the report.  New developments in building envelope materials, along with innovative manufacturing techniques for windows and glazing, should help lower the energy use intensity of buildings.  This focus on improved envelopes is expected to aid the greater building ecosystem, reducing energy costs for non-ZEBs, as well.

The report, “Zero Energy Buildings,” defines and analyzes the global market for ZEBs with a focus on six product and service categories: lighting, walls and roof, glazing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, renewable energy, and soft costs.  It provides an analysis of the region-specific and worldwide market issues, including drivers and barriers, associated with ZEBs.  Global market forecasts for revenue, broken out by region, product/service, and development type (commercial construction, commercial retrofits, and residential), extend through 2035.  The report also examines the key technologies and services related to ZEBs, as well as the competitive landscape.  An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.

About Navigant Research

Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often highly regulated industries.  In the energy sector, Navigant Research focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology markets.  The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Utilities, Smart Transportation, and Smart Buildings sectors.