On August 29, 2026, in Hanoi, the Final Round of the competition “Energy Simulation Towards Net-Zero Buildings” officially took place, featuring the top 5 outstanding teams. Following their presentations, analyses, and defenses before the Board of Judges, the competition identified the standout teams. Among them, First Prize was awarded to team The Squad A from Hanoi University of Civil Engineering.
The Journey of Exploring Energy Simulation and the Net-Zero Challenge
The “Energy Simulation Towards Net-Zero Buildings” competition was organized to provide students with the opportunity to access and apply knowledge and tools related to building energy simulation throughout their research and design development process.
Throughout the rounds, teams progressively developed and refined their proposals by simulating building energy, evaluating performance, and analyzing the impact of design solutions on energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Through this simulation challenge, participants gained hands-on experience using data to guide evaluation and decision-making in building design. This approach is gaining increasing attention as the construction industry moves toward improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions.
Top 5 Outstanding Teams Entering the Final Round
Following the competition rounds and evaluation process, in the final stage, the 5 teams will directly present their solutions to the Board of Judges, focusing on simulation results, building energy performance, and proposed measures toward the Net-Zero target.
Beyond reviewing the simulation outputs, the session provided a platform for judges to engage with and question the teams regarding the rationale behind their chosen solutions, their analytical approaches, and the practical application of their simulation results to real-world building challenges.
Combining simulation data, technical analysis, and defense capability was a core focus of the Final Round, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of each team’s competence.
After presentation and evaluation, the Board of Judges selected the top performers of the competition:
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First Prize: The Squad A – Hanoi University of Civil Engineering
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Second Prize: HAU Net-Zero – Hanoi University of Architecture
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Third Prize: Zero-H2 – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, VNU-HCM
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Promising Project Award: Nzeb Lab HUST – School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology
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Creative Idea Award: BK ECO TECH – Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, VNU-HCM
These results recognize the teams’ dedication to researching, modeling, analyzing data, and refining their designs. They also reflect a diverse range of approaches toward energy simulation and Net-Zero building development.
Bridging Education and Construction Industry Practice
More than an academic competition, the event aims to integrate energy simulation into students’ learning and research, helping them better understand the relationship between design decisions and operational building performance.
By building models, testing scenarios, and analyzing simulation outcomes directly, students developed a data-driven mindset—an increasingly vital skill in the construction industry’s transition toward green and low-emission practices.
With participation from teams across 15 universities nationwide, the competition also established a bridge connecting students, industry experts, and practical knowledge surrounding energy efficiency and Net-Zero buildings.
The Organizing Committee hopes that the knowledge and skills gained will continue to serve participants in their academic pursuits, research, and future professional careers, contributing to a workforce ready to drive energy-efficient, low-emission, and sustainable construction.
The Organizing Committee extends its sincere gratitude to the Board of Judges, partner organizations, universities, and all participants for dedicating their time, passion, and expertise to creating a practical and impactful competition.
