Utility and economic benefits of electrochromic smart windows

Conference · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:10102353

Warner, J L; Reilly, M S; Selkowitz, S E; Arasteh, D K ^[1]; Ander, G D ^[2]

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1. Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
2. Southern California Edison Co., Rosemead, CA (United States)

Windows have very significant direct and indirect impacts on building energy consumption, load shape, and peak demand. Electrochromic switchable glazings can potentially provide substantial reductions in all aspects of cooling and lighting electricity usage. This study explores the potential benefits of electrochromics in comparison to other currently available and emerging glazing technologies. These effects are explored in office buildings in several climates as a function of window size, orientation, and building operating characteristics. The DOE-2 building energy simulation program was used to model the performances of these dynamic coatings, accounting for both thermal and daylighting impacts. Very substantial savings are demonstrated compared to conventional glazings, but specific impacts on component and total energy consumption, peak demand, and HVAC system sizing vary widely among the options analyzed. In a hot, sunny climate, simple payback periods of three to ten years were calculated. Electrochromic glazings appear to represent a very important future building design option that will allow architects and engineers a high degree of design freedom to meet occupant needs, while minimizing operating costs to building owners and providing a new and important electricity demand control option for utilities. Utility demand-side management programs can accelerate the market penetration of electrochromics by offering incentives to reduce net first cost and payback periods.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 10102353
• Report Number(s): LBL--32638; CONF-920828--21; BS--290; ON: DE93002565
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320105
320107
BUILDING SERVICES
BUILDING SYSTEMS
CALIFORNIA
COATINGS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ELECTRICITY
ELECTROCHROMISM
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
LIGHTING SYSTEMS
OFFICE BUILDINGS
SPACE HVAC SYSTEMS
WINDOWS