Page 61 - ZEB Final Report 2009-2017

Effects of the ZEB Centre for the Overarching Goal of the FME-Programme & Conclusions | 61

Arild Gustavsen Ruth Woods
Professor, NTNU, Senior Researcher, SINTEF,
ZEB Centre Director ZEB Centre Manager

Conclusions

The Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research Program (FME) by the Research
Council of Norway have proven to be the correct way of addressing the Zero Emission
Buildings (ZEB) vision, providing the volume and research time needed.

The FME Program has enabled multidisciplinary research
between engineers, architects, and social scientists and
intimately integrated industry and public partners within
these processes. Collaboration has taken place in both the
planning and application of the activities. Applied research and
collaboration in the pilot building projects has been important,
providing real-life examples and inspiration, alongside the
more theoretical studies needed to understand the underlying
factors for many of the topics covered by the centre.
The ZEB management format has been an inspiration for
other NTNU and SINTEF research centres and collaborations,
and what has been learnt will be carried forward into the new
Research Centre on Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Campus Evenstad. Photo: Leikny Havik Skjærseth.
Cities. Openness, sharing, and generosity are significant factors.
During the eight-year project, partners have been involved journey for many of us, being part of the largest and longest
in different ways. Evaluations among the user partners show that research project for the Norwegian building industry. We do
overall expectations have mostly been fulfilled. Nevertheless, this by concluding that The Research Centre on Zero Emission
there is still room for improvement. E.g., some partners would Buildings has:
have liked to see more results within their business area; others
are very satisfied with the outcome. • Made the future Norwegian building standard, Zero
Finally, it is time to conclude what has been a unique Emission Buildings, a reality today. Pilot buildings built
have proven unequivocally that zero emissions in domestic,
public, and commercial contexts are possible.
• Raised the level of awareness about the impact of buildings
on energy and CO2 emissions and promoted innovations
where it was previously unlikely that they would occur.
• Increased the debate about CO2 emissions in the building
sector in Norway, and shown internationally what is
possible in a life cycle perspective.
• Implemented research tools for development of zero
emission buildings, e.g. laboratories, methods, and pilot
buildings
• Cultivated the next generation of building researchers,
consultants, and practitioners.
• Provided society with a taste of a future that can be
Campus Evenstad. Photo: Leikny Havik Skjærseth. attractive and green.