The project aims to digitally remodel the BITS Library as a case study and tries to apply the principles of ZEBs (Zero Energy Buildings) to it. Another phase of the project deals with establishing an ideal ZEB design in Rajasthan, taking into account all environmental factors. At the heart of the project is the belief that Renewable Energy can be integrated with infrastructure.

Various types of sustainable analysis have been considered for the project, to be done on the BITS Library as well as a prototype ZEB. A few of them are passive and active solar studies, wind simulation, material variation and so on. Software used to do this are: Autodesk Project Vasari and Ecotect Analysis. Also used will be RETScreen.

The project involves the use Autodesk Ecotect Analysis 2013 and Autodesk Project Vasari as 3D modelling software that will help in designing of an ideal Zero Energy Building. The word “asymptotic” is used in the title of this project, because a ZEB is basically an ideal concept. It cannot be ideally achieved, the design can only tend towards achieving a net zero energy balance. Using the power of these 2 software, a case study of the “BITS Pilani Library, Pilani Campus” is to be implemented and remodelled according to the various codes defined by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for ZEBs. Also, an ideal Zero Energy Building will be attempted using the same software tools.

Buildings have a significant impact on energy use and the environment. Commercial and residential buildings use almost 40% of the primary energy and approximately 70% of the electricity. The energy used by the building sector continues to increase, primarily because new buildings are constructed faster than old ones are retired. Electricity consumption in the commercial building sector doubled between 1980 and 2000, and is expected to increase another 50% by 2025.