Design of a multipurpose 'zero energy consumption' building according to european directive 2010/31/EU: Life cycle assessment

Considering the significant impact that the residential sector has on energy consumption, it is particularly important to implement policies aimed at improving energy efficiency in buildings for saving primary energy, and also to spread the concept of sustainable development through the use of appropriate technologies and proper project criteria for new constructions. For these reasons the Municipality of Città della Pieve promoted the creation of a "Renewable Energy Park", in a deprived area of its territory, where the main technologies for the production of green energy could be demonstrated. In this context, an educational/demonstrative "zero energy consumption" building for multifunctional activities was also planned and built with the most innovative techniques to save energy. In a previous work, the technical solutions adopted both in the building envelope and the system concept for the project of that "zero energy consumption" building according to Directive 2010/31/CE were evaluated. In that context an economical and environmental cost-benefit analysis was assessed. This paper presents the results of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis conducted on the "zero energy consumption" building for a 50 years useful life. All life cycle phases were included in the research: acquisition and production of materials, on-site construction and use/maintenance, demolition and material disposal. Moreover various disposal scenarios were considered. The LCA modelling was performed using the SimaPro software tool, connected to the Ecoinvent database. This work makes it possible to evaluate the environmental impact related to a zero energy consumption building, thanks to the use of specific environmental indicators.