Building Integrated Solar Thermal (BIST) Technologies and Their Applications: A Review of Structural Design and Architectural Integration

Xingxing Zhang Jingchun Shen,Yupeng Wu Yong Shi,Tong Yang Llewellyn Tang,Zehui Hong Luying Wang

doi:10.4172/2090-4541.1000182

Xingxing Zhang Jingchun Shen, Yupeng Wu Yong Shi + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4172/2090-4541.1000182

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Abstract

Solar energy has enormous potential to meet the majority of present world energy demand by effective integration with local building components. One of the most promising technologies is building integrated solar thermal (BIST) technology. This paper presents a review of the available literature covering various types of BIST technologies and their applications in terms of structural design and architectural integration. The review covers detailed description of BIST systems using air, hydraulic (water/heat pipe/refrigerant) and phase changing materials (PCM) as the working medium. The fundamental structure of BIST and the various specific structures of available BIST in the literature are described. Design criteria and practical operation conditions of BIST systems are illustrated. The state of pilot projects is also fully depicted. Current barriers and future development opportunities are therefore concluded. Based on the thorough review, it is clear that BIST is very promising devices with considerable energy saving prospective and building integration feasibility. This review shall facilitate the development of solar driven service for buildings and help the corresponding saving in fossil fuel consumption and the reduction in carbon emission.

Highlights

In order to achieve the global carbon emission target, the high fraction of locally available renewable energy sources in energy mix will become necessary in addition to a significantly reduced energy demand
The specific structures of the Building Integrated Solar Thermal (BIST) systems are various when they serve as different building elements in practice
In European, the currently available standards are: (1) the Regulation 305/2011 that defines the essential requirements of building construction products placed on the market for an economically reasonable life cycle; (2) European Technical Approval Guidelines (ETAG) that seriously address the technical requirements for building components; (3) Construction Products Directive (CPD) and Construction Products Regulation (CPR) that give the upper and lower limit figures relating to the construction products; (4) Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) that specifies the detailed requirements for building, with extensive impacts to selection and application of a range of construction products

Summary

Introduction

In order to achieve the global carbon emission target, the high fraction of locally available renewable energy sources in energy mix will become necessary in addition to a significantly reduced energy demand. It is a double glazed unit fixed in the window frames with multifunction as glazing system for insulation, natural lighting, domestic hot water and heating and/or air conditioning [27]. This solar thermal window comprises two layers of glass panes, a certain volume of argon filling, a group of ∩-shape profiled thermal absorbers, a copper serpentine pipe with working fluid and aluminium strips. An overview of the structural design of currently available BIST systems is presented in Table 2 in terms of different architectural elements

Design standards

Findings

Conclusion