Energy performance of integrated adaptive envelope technologies for commercial buildings

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of various adaptive envelope technologies when integrated and deployed for US office buildings. The investigated technologies include switchable insulation systems, dynamic PV-integrated shading devices, and dynamic cool roofs. These dynamic technologies are designed to alter their thermal and optical properties in response to control strategies on seasonal or hourly basis. In this paper, the energy performance of the dynamic technologies is evaluated when deployed individually and combined for the same commercial building. The analysis results indicate that the integrated AETs offer significant energy saving potential in space heating and cooling for US office buildings. Specifically, the integrated AETs can achieve annual savings in space cooling up to 51% and 109% in total energy demand allowing office buildings to reach net-positive energy status especially in temperate climate zones.