Energy and environmental performance of tall buildings: state of the art

In a historical period in which more than half the population lives in urban centres, tall buildings – which are a key instrument of densification – require a special focus. In the common imagination tall buildings are seen as ‘energy intensive boxes’, but the scientific community, even though divided between supporters and opposers, is investigating their potential in terms of energy efficiency. This chapter aims to highlight, by going through case studies, the limits and potential of energy-efficient (low energy) tall buildings and provides an outline of their key characteristics. It especially focuses on the possibility of implementing systems for generating power from renewable energy sources, in relation to the vertical development of these buildings, which enables the production of amounts of energy that are unheard of for other types of building. Based on the analysis of the state of the art in this field, and on a number of related considerations, we are able to assume that the objective of Net Zero Energy tall Building could potentially be achieved.