The effect of doped glazing on thermal comfort: A case study of solar decathlon Africa

Abstract

This work is devoted to the study of the optimization of the energy performance of a modern architectural building with large glass surfaces. Within the framework of this study, we were led to use intelligent glazing. It was decided that the glass surfaces would be covered with a tungsten (W)-doped vanadium dioxide (VO2) film. This film is characterized by a phase transition, allowing its transmission coefficient to be high at low temperatures and low at high temperatures. An optimization study of the influence of the doping on the transfer coefficient of the glazing allowed us to obtain a significant improvement in the comfort conditions of the studied building. The results of our study indicate that the VO2/W film coating has a great potential to increase the comfort conditions in buildings, both in winter and in summer. This is because the film can modulate the solar radiation from the outside and thus maintain an ideal temperature inside without the need for an energy-consuming air conditioning system. As a result, VO2/W cladding film offers buildings significant thermal benefits and improved energy efficiency, but also a better quality of life as it provides a comfortable and pleasant indoor environment.