Comparative Analysis of Zero-Energy Office Buildings Across Hot Climates in Developing and Developed Countries

Gaber, Aya Mohammed; Nassar, Usama A.; Fawzy, Maha; Atwa, Sara M.

doi:10.21608/sceee.2025.341990.1051

Comparative Analysis of Zero-Energy Office Buildings Across Hot Climates in Developing and Developed Countries

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Architecture, The Higher Institute of Engineering, ElShorouk Academy,Cairo, EGYPT

² Architectural and Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Engineering, Suez Canal University, Ismailia City, Egypt

³ Department of Architecture, The Higher Institute of Engineering, ElShorouk Academy

10.21608/sceee.2025.341990.1051

Abstract

Buildings worldwide consume between 20% and 40% of total energy consumption, with approximately 50% of the energy used in buildings being attributed to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. In recent years, the term of net zero energy buildings (NZEBs) has emerged as an achievable strategy for improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption in buildings. To attain a NZEB goal, building systems and design techniques must be integrated and optimized for local climatic circumstances.
This review examines net zero energy office buildings (NZEB) in hot climates across both developing and developed countries to identify suitable strategies for application in Egypt, where awareness of NZEB standards is limited, and the design of administrative buildings is often inefficient. The study highlights successful implementations of passive and active strategies, such as optimized building orientation, natural ventilation, advanced insulation techniques, and the integration of renewable energy systems like solar photovoltaic and geothermal energy.The findings suggest that despite differences in economic resources, both developed and developing countries can achieve net zero energy goals by leveraging appropriate strategies and local resources.

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