Abstract
The new paradigm of Net Zero Energy buildings is a challenge for architects and engineers, especially in buildings with large glazing areas. Water Flow Glazing (WFG) is a dynamic façade technology shown to reduce heating and cooling loads for buildings significantly. Photovoltaic panels placed on building roofs can generate enough electricity from solar energy without generating greenhouse gases in operation or taking up other building footprints. This paper investigates the techno-economic viability of a grid-connected solar photovoltaic system combined with water flow glazing. An accurate assessment of the economic and energetic feasibility is carried out through simulation software and on-site tests on an actual prototype. The assessment also includes the analysis of global warming potential reduction. A prototype with WFG envelope has been tested. The WFG prototype actual data reported primary energy savings of 62% and 60% CO2 equivalent emission reduction when comparing WFG to a reference triple glazing. Finally, an economic report of the Photovoltaic array showed the Yield Factor and the Levelized Cost of Energy of the system. Savings over the operating lifetime can compensate for the high initial investment that these two technologies require.
Highlights
As the world economy continues to develop, the building industry continues to maintain a great expense of energy utilization and carbon dioxide emission
The heat balance was broken down in internal heat loads provided by the equipment in operation and occupancy of the building, the heat transmitted between outside and inside through the transparent and opaque envelope, solar gain through the glazing, and ventilation loads
This paper aimed to develop a comprehensive comparative analysis from the operating energy, global warming potential, and economic point of view, of two different technologies
Summary
As the world economy continues to develop, the building industry continues to maintain a great expense of energy utilization and carbon dioxide emission. Consumers are central participants in this specific circumstance, as adaptability in demand is necessarily required to embrace the discontinuous nature of most renewable energy sources [1]. The poor performance of existing buildings offers essential possibilities for energy retrofit. Integrating renewable solar systems into the building envelope and storage of thermal and electric energy can be the solution to this challenge. Buildings Directive (EPBD) promotes policies that will produce highly energy-efficient and decarbonized structures by 2050 [3]. Starting 31 December 2020, all new buildings will have to be Nearly Zero Energy Buildings [4]. Zero-energy buildings are required to produce equivalent energy from renewable technologies to balance their energy consumption [5]
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