The Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies is owned and occupied by Oberlin College and was completed in January 2000. Since then it attracts visitors from around the world and inspires architects and engineers.

The Lewis Center generates its own on-site electricity, so it is a net zero energy building.

Photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the Center (60 kW photovoltaic system) and a 100 kW PV system located over the parking lot use renewable energy from the sun. This is combined with energy efficient technologies and appliances to minimize energy use.

Zero energy building ZEB technology:

• Geothermal wells – heat pumps
• Constant air exchange and heat recovery
• Triple-panes for reduced heat loss
• Argon gas interior, which increases insulation value
• Low-emissivity coatings that reflect unwanted heat
• Anaerobic Reactor – 1500 gal anaerobic tank
• Closed Aerobic Reactors – wastewater is aerated to provide oxygen
• Open Aerobic Reactors
• Clarifier
• Photovoltaic (PV) panels

The Aldo Leopold Legacy Center, located in Baraboo, WI, owned and occupied by The Aldo Leopold Foundation, Inc., is a commercial office building of 11,900 ft2 (1,100 m2) completed in April 2007. It is rated as a Zero energy building, LEED ® Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (61 points).

The Leopold Center produces at least 100% of energy used and its overall energy budget is net-zero or better. It is also designed to be carbon neutral.

Energy sources

• Photovoltaics – 39.6 kilowatt (kW) solar electric (photovoltaic) system on its roof
• Wood Heat – fireplaces and wood stoves
• Earth Tubes – for zero energy building ventilation
• Radiant Floor – geothermal energy for heating and cooling

energy comsumption and production

energy use comparison

If you are interested in building a zero energy home, we recommend to have a look at this  nice blog about  the  Zero energy house in Richmond:

http://zeh-richmond.blogspot.com/

If you know about any other similar blogs please let us know and we will publish them here. Thanks!