Effect of electrochromic windows on energy consumption of high-rise office buildings in different climate regions of Iran

Abstract

Traditional windows cannot adapt to external and internal environmental conditions. Smart windows are the next generation of windows, which can change their thermal and optical properties to control indoor environmental conditions. Electrochromic (EC) windows can control solar energy and provide visual comfort. These windows can be used with other tools such as various glazing types, building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) and building energy management system (BEMS). This paper aims to evaluate the effect of EC windows, various glazing types, BIPVs and BEMS on energy consumption of high-rise office buildings. A model was created and several inputs were entered into the model. Then, annual simulations evaluated the effect of EC windows and other parameters on energy consumption of the building in four climate conditions of Iran. First, the effect of EC windows and various glazing types on energy consumption of the building were identified separately. Afterward, 12 different scenarios were defined to evaluate the effect of using both EC windows and optimal glazing type on energy consumption of the building. Then, BIPVs were combined with EC windows and photovoltachromic (PVC) windows were modeled using inputs of EC windows and BIPVs. In the end, BEMS was combined with PVC windows and had a positive effect on energy consumption of the building in all climate conditions. Finally, simulation results indicated that energy consumption of the building reduced up to 35.57% using EC windows and other tools. The difference between simulation and actual results is predicted to be at least 1.60% and maximum 6.22%.