The Zero Energy Building: A Driver of Change Towards Environmentally Focused Technologies

Author:
Burbach, Eric, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia
Advisor:
Seabrook, Bryn, EN-Engineering and Society, University of Virginia
Abstract:

Throughout a lifetime, an individual must maintain various documents in order to get by, including identification like a driver’s license and a passport, banking information, pay stubs from previous employers, and much more. These documents are not needed physically, so storing them electronically provides both ease and organization. With documents being stored electronically, all of the important documents that you may have misplaced at some point can all be found in a single location. This solves the problems one has with trying to keep all of their important documents together and safe. Another problem that arises with personal documents is trying to get new ones. It is hard to know exactly what is necessary to renew a document or apply for a document one does not have. This project allows users to easily view the exact requirements for a document and automatically provide you with the ones you do have. Users can also share documents with others, including companies or enterprises. This way, a user can easily onboard when starting a new job by automatically providing all the necessary documents. All of these features provide ease of use in storing important personal documents.

The zero-energy building is a building concept that prioritizes the environment before anything else. The zero-energy building aims to limit energy usage to a minimum, and produce its own clean, renewable energy as much as possible. In this way, all the energy that the building uses is created sustainably through the building’s own processes. Therefore, the zero-energy building achieves carbon neutrality. The concept of the zero-energy building is one that has a rare property: its entire design is based around being good for the environment. Unlike so many other technologies that only hurt the environment, this one was created just to benefit the environment. This philosophy can be used to resolve the issues that climate change presents. The necessary solution to climate change is one that requires a paradigm shift in the design of new technologies towards benefiting the environment. This paradigm shift is one that is exemplified perfectly by the zero-energy building.

Degree:
BS (Bachelor of Science)
Keywords:
Paradigm shift, Climate Change, Zero-energy building, Technology
Language:
English
Rights:
All rights reserved (no additional license for public reuse)
Issued Date:
2020/05/07