Towards Sustainable Cities: A Review of Zero Energy Buildings Techniques and Global Activities in Residential Buildings

Under rapid urbanization-induced global warming and resource depletion, growing interest in zero-energy building (ZEB) zero-emission technologies have emerged globally to improve energy performance homes shape sustainable cities. Although several countries released ZEB-enhanced strategies set national standards policies promote ZEBs, construction projects are still limited demonstration projects. This paper reviews ZEB activities state-of-the-art for energy-efficient residential [based on an evaluation of 40 buildings]. Over buildings different continents were reviewed, their technical details evaluated. Our results show that 62.5% the achieved +ZEB standard, 25% net-zero buildings, only 12.5% near-zero buildings. Solar PV is most widely used renewable source studied cases, while warmer climates, advanced cooling heat pumps preferred technologies. A envelope thermal ventilation with recovery essential cold climates. systematic analysis reveals solar effective mechanisms achieving efficiency shaping