Design guidelines for Plus Energy Buildings

The European Union’s enhanced climate and energy targets emphasize the need for significant improvements
in the building sector to accelerate the clean energy transition. The Climate Target Plan 2030 and the Reno-
vation Wave strategy have shifted the focus from operational energy performance to the full decarbonization
of the building stock by 2050. This transition requires new buildings to achieve zero-emission standards and
existing buildings to be transformed accordingly. Building construction and renovation present opportunities
to improve indoor environmental quality, climate resilience, and environmental health standards while enhan-
cing carbon sinks and accessibility.
Zero-emission buildings (ZEBs) are designed with high energy performance, incorporating demand-side flexi-
bility and covering minimal residual energy needs with renewable energy generated on-site or nearby. Plus
Energy Buildings (PEBs) go further by producing surplus renewable energy that can be exported to other buil-
dings or the grid. The growing adoption of net-zero and positive energy initiatives across Europe underscores
the importance of implementing these advanced building concepts.
The PEB design guidelines target building owners interested in PEB investments and designers embarking
on PEB projects. The guidelines introduce designers to key PEB design principles, offer practical tips for im-
plementing technologies effectively and efficiently throughout design and operational phases, and provide
recommendations for each project phase, including design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and
post-occupancy evaluation.