Energy saving potential of advanced dual-band electrochromic smart windows for office integration

Abstract

Integrating dynamic transparent technologies into building envelopes is becoming crucial for tackling the challenges posed by climate change, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing occupant comfort. Nowadays, a range of dynamic glazing technologies exists, among which electrochromic glazing is notably effective in contributing to sustainability objectives in building design. This paper presents a comprehensive simulation analysis of the energy efficiency and interior comfort impacts of a novel class of spectrally selective dual-band electrochromic windows, also referred to as “Plasmochromic”. A simplified office model, oriented both south and west, was used to compare the performance of dual-band electrochromic glazing, using experimental data collected from a window-scale prototype, with that of commercially available advanced glazing systems. The comparison was conducted under two different control strategies: a rule-based and a model-based control algorithm. Five European climate zones have been considered to cover most of the continent’s climatic conditions and provide a comprehensive evaluation of the glazing performances. The simulations demonstrate the superior capability of dual-band electrochromic windows, when coupled with an intelligent control strategy, in reducing total annual energy consumption for heating, cooling, and lighting by up to 27% compared to the best-performing static solar control glazing systems. Additionally, they achieve a reduction of up to 32% in visual discomfort, measured by the cumulative value of useful daylight illuminance.