Open AccessSolar Energy Windows and Smart IR Switchable Building Technologies
Author(s) -
James McCarny,
Brian Kornish
Publication year - 2011
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/1080352
Subject(s) - glazing , building envelope , energy (signal processing) , envelope (radar) , power (physics) , key (lock) , computer science , thermal energy , solar energy , zero energy building , energy flux , thermal , automotive engineering , engineering , electrical engineering , telecommunications , civil engineering , physics , meteorology , operating system , radar , quantum mechanics , astronomy
The three building envelope functions with the largest impact on the energy usage are illumination, energy flux and energy production. In general, these three functions are addressed separately in the building design. A step change toward a zero-energy building can be achieved with a glazing system that combines these three functions and their control into a single unit. In particular, significant value could be realized if illumination into the building is dynamically controlled such that it occurs during periods of low load on the grid (e.g., morning) to augment illumination supplied by interior lights and then to have that same light diverted to PV energy production and the thermal energy rejected during periods of high load on the grid. The objective of this project is to investigate the feasibility of a glazing unit design that integrates these three key functions (illumination and energy flux control, and power production) into a single module