Report on the definition of a Positive Energy Building (PEB)

The development of a shared definition of Positive Energy Buildings for the EXCESS project is
described. Based on a literature review and through discussions, the EXCESS team decided to define
PEB as “an energy efficient building that produces more energy than it uses via renewable sources,
with high self-consumption rate and high energy flexibility, over a time span of one year. A high
quality indoor environment is an essential element in the PEB, maintaining the comfort and
wellbeing of the building occupants. The PEB is also able to integrate the future technologies like
electric vehicles with the motivation to maximize the onsite consumption and also share the surplus
renewable energy.”


This definition and the general EXCESS objectives were compared to the EU regulations and long
term visions, concluding that these are very well in line with each other. EXCESS definition and
concept are especially well in line with the ideas on citizen empowerment and user comfort
underlined in several of the regulations and vision documents. The documents also refer to the
interaction with the grid and the (future) integration of EVs. Energy efficiency is particularly
highlighted in the EU’s documents, as well as the need to cover the remaining need by renewable
energy

Publication Date: 04 May 2020

Author: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Report on the definition of a Positive Energy Building (PEB)