Abstract
Research and development in the façade engineering field highlights the need for comprehensive system solutions integrating advanced materials and renewable energy use. Presented study focuses on implementation of Transparent Insulation Materials (TIMs) in a façade concept. The idea is based on sensible use of (renewable) solar energy to reduce the heating demand of buildings. The concept integrates TIMs into a Transparent Insulation Façade (TIF) based on more common “solar wall” or “Trombe wall” systems enhanced with selective absorber (SA) functionalities. The study presents analysis of thermal, solar energy and environmental performance of the concept on a case study basis. Firstly, thermal analysis based on standard calculation is introduced to describe thermal and solar performance of the concepts. Secondly, energy balance calculations are used to compare the concepts with conventional façade systems. Finally, a Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluating the environmental impacts of the façade concept is introduced. The results show that the proposed concept performs better in both energy consumption and environmental impacts compared to a common facade with external thermal insulation. The TIF has higher heating energy demand than a common façade, however this is offset by up to 178 kWh⋅m−2⋅a−1 solar heat gains. The difference in environmental impacts (up to 80%) is also in favour of the TIF.
Highlights
The efficient way to improve energy consumption of buildings is based on reduction of the heating and ventilation energy losses
The paper describes the experiment results, especially long-term thermal response and passive solar gain data. These data are applied for analysis of: influence of various polycarbonate-based transparent insulation materials (TIMs) on the real performance of the façades; influence of implementation of different solar absorbers on the performance of the proposed facades; effectivity of application of latent thermal energy storage as a part of heat accumulation layer and coupling of TIM with prismatic glass to enhance optical selectivity aspect
The integration of prismatic glass coupled with simple two-wall polycarbonate panel can reduce solar penetration through components at the level comparable with the most complex six-wall panel
Summary
The efficient way to improve energy consumption of buildings is based on reduction of the heating and ventilation energy losses. This paper focuses on one of more straightforward ways for exploitation of available renewable energy gains: solar (heat) energy gains through TIMs based on Polycarbonate multi-wall panels integrated in building envelopes, in multi-layer solar façade. Various types of multiwall panels with improved thermal properties (with optical efficiency remaining the same) are being developed Their application in building envelopes (facades or roofs) can provide cost-effective way for achieving passive energy gains in building design [15]. This paper introduces eight experimental polycarbonate solar façade (PSF) concepts utilizing different types of TIMs (based on multiwall co-extruded polycarbonate). Components representing these PSFs are investigated as a part of long-term experiment in Brno, Czechia. Temperature dependency of the thermal conductivity is taken into account as well [19]
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