Roadmap Toward NZEBs in Quito

Equatorial and Andean climate has no extreme temperatures; however, the region has a high diurnal oscillation. The government seeks to contribute to the improvement of housing conditions, which is mainly reflected in the emblematic housing program "Plan Casa para Todos" (PCT). PCT that aims to cover the social demand and reduce the qualitative housing deficit. It has been widely discussed that habitability and the housing deficit cannot be improved if the thermal conditions of dwellings and passive designed strategies are ignored, thus passive design principles, active devices, and renewable energy (RE) offer a way forward. Based on the hypothesis to bring out the possibility of reaching Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in Quito, the objective is to develop a roadmap towards possible NZEBs. Inspired by genetic algorithms, optimization models were used to obtain the ideal NZEB for Quito. Simulations were carried using Python software with the calculating engine Energy Plus. First results show that the relationship towards the urban grid, the internal and spatial layout, thickness of walls, roof's sealing, among other factors, significantly affect the energy-efficiency as well as the thermal comfort conditions. Further research is required from the science-policy interface to apply NZEBs effectively. (paper)