Advanced Studies in Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings and Optimal Design

Dear Colleagues,

Many countries have committed to carbon neutrality plans to face the threat of climate change and, at present, the mid-century is the agreed time horizon to reach zero emissions. This requires an energy transition that involves all sectors and entails the rapid development and deployment of innovative technologies and solutions aimed at concretely implementing the green transformation.

In particular, the pathway outlined for the building sector is oriented towards the construction of nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEBs).

Meaningful experiences have been gained in this field, through the investigation and realization of nZEBs in various countries and for different end uses. Research in this area is still evolving, and its role is essential to report the results obtained and develop effective strategies to accelerate progress towards the achievement of nearly zero energy buildings on a large scale.

In this perspective, the objective of this Special Issue is to encourage the production of scientific works that can give evidence of the state of the art and the roadmaps established for the diffusion of zero-energy buildings, with the aim of sharing ideas and contributing to the strengthening of this constructive logic.

Experimental studies, as well as numerical simulation and predictive models are welcome. Reports and review articles are also expected. The thematic areas concern, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conceptualization and technical codification of nZEB (nearly Zero-Energy Buildings) and NZEB (Net-Zero-Energy Buildings);
• Design optimization;
• Cost-optimal analysis;
• Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis;
• Role of renewable sources;
• Passive systems;
• Innovative envelope and plant systems for nZEBs;
• Performance during operation;
• Renovation towards nZEBs;
• Satisfaction and evaluation by the occupants;
• Policies to support nZEBs;
• Challenges and opportunities of the nZEBs;
• Nature-based strategies towards nZEBs.

Dr. Cristina Carpino
Dr. Miguel Chen Austin
Prof. Dr. Dafni Mora
Prof. Dr. Natale Arcuri
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the Special Issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.