Model predictive control of a thermal chimney and dynamic solar shades for an all-glass facades building

Controlling the operation of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning) systems is arguably the most effective way to reach desired indoor conditions in buildings. Nevertheless, such control may involve complex dynamics when dealing with passive energy technologies. In this paper, we focus on maximizing the passive operation of HVAC in...

On the effectiveness of passive controls for summer thermal comfort in highly insulated dwellings

Among environmental controls, solar shading and ventilative cooling are widely considered as key passive strategies for limiting the overheating risks in buildings. While their application is encouraged through Energy Performance of Buildings Directive regulations, several studies have shown that summer thermal comfort in heating-dominate...

Dynamic optimization for minimal HVAC demand with latent heat storage, heat recovery, natural ventilation, and solar shadings

Satisfying thermal comfort in indoor spaces is still a challenge in terms of energy saving, and several HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning) systems have been proposed for this purpose. This paper conducts an analysis to evaluate and optimize the long-term operation of a novel HVAC system installed at The Green Village, a living...

Shading calculation methods and regulation simplifications – The Portuguese case

How to analyse the omissions of thermal regulations and evaluate methodologies that provide building execution or thermal certificates that do not correspond to reality and usually incur costs? We can start by analysing different simulation methods and shading calculations that provide solar gains and shadow optimisation. After evaluating how...

An experimental study of vertical greenery systems for window shading for energy saving in summer

Past studies have demonstrated the remarkable energy-saving effect of vertical greenery systems. The vast majority of these works focus on opaque building walls. While external shadings on windows are more effective than these on walls. Inspired by the climbing plants (vines) raised outside windows by residents, the present study proposed the...

Phase changing solar shading: On the integration of phase change materials to improve the solar shading efficiency

Energy consumption around the world increases by the day. The primary energy usage has risen with approximately 49% and the CO2 emissions with 43% during only the last two decades. The building sector in the Netherlands contributes for approximately 36% to this energy consumption and office buildings are one of the larger consumers (Rijksdienst...

Microgrid Integration of Smart facades: Integrated control of shading & operable window for CEG building

This project aims to design the integrated control of shading and operable windows for CEG east facade to improve the thermal comfort with respect to energy consumption. The design stage focused on the thermal advantages that the integrated control of shading and operable window brought to the CEG building. The controls are simulated in the...

Adaptive heating, ventilation and solar shading for dwellings

Calculation of various strategies for the heating of, and the prevention of overheating in, a Dutch standard dwelling that includes (automated) adaptive ventilation systems and solar shading to maintain indoor temperatures at acceptably comfortable temperatures informs this analysis of the costs, impacts and benefits of the use of related...

Development of an adaptive shading system based on analysis of study cases

Over the last years, solar shading systems have become integral parts of the building envelope. New designs, technologies and materials are constantly introduced and tested in shading industry. Nowadays, adaptation in solar shading systems is the almost exclusive goal of every design. Adaptive solar shading systems are preferable as they adapt...

Sweetgum Panels: A periodic compliant mechanism for solar shading

The paper describes a novel technique for creating flat, bi-layer, compliant mechanisms for adaptive building components to be used in solar shading. Micro-actuation of these periodic, flexible devices cause innumerable three-dimensional micro-loops to erupt in the panel surface, permitting passage of diffused light while maintaining visual...