Indoor comfort and energy savings by intelligent solar controlled windows in Southern Europe

Panel: 6. Innovations in buildings and appliances

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Bruno Harald Philipson, Velux A/S
Strategic Marketing, Denmark
Nicolas Couillaud, CSTB, France

Abstract

On the basis of new and existing residential buildings around Europe, a study on the effect of passive systems for heating and cooling, by the use of intelligent roof windows systems, has been carried out by CSTB and VELUX A/S.

The intelligent passive roof window system, consist of an intelligent control of the external solar shading and intelligent control of the opening and closing of the roof window. The intelligence lies in the optimizing the use of the passive elements to reduce the need for heating and cooling, before the installed heating, cooling and ventilation, systems are activated, while the user finds it logical. This is done automatically without feedback or control from the user. It is very important that the user finds the passive elements logic, otherwise the user will overrule the intelligent control, and thereby minimizing the possibilities for reduction in energy and optimizing the indoor climate.

The study has been made for typical existing and low energy residential buildings at several locations in France, Spain, Italy and Germany.

The findings from the study shows an improved indoor climate in the building, where the indoor temperature can be kept at a lower level after the use of the technology, as well as improved daylight conditions in the building, while the use of energy for cooling will be reduced significantly.

Furtheremore, this intelligent solar shading, has been developed into a actual product, showing that this is not just theory, it can actually be done in practice. Furthermore, current monitoring of actual performances will be presented.