DOE PAGES title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: A comparative energy analysis of three electrochromic glazing technologies in commercial and residential buildings

Abstract

Here, we present a simulation study of three dynamic electrochromic window glazings, including a novel glazing capable of independently modulating its optical properties in both the visible and near-infrared spectrums. This capability allows this so-called “dual-band” technology to actively manage the solar heat and visible light transmitted into a building's interior, and creates the potential for heating, cooling, and lighting savings vis-à-vis competing window technologies. In this study EnergyPlus is used to simulate annual energy performance of the dual-band electrochromic (DBEC) glazing in three building types and 16 U.S. climate regions. The savings potential of DBEC windows are presented relative to a conventional electrochromic glazing; a visibly transparent, near-infrared switching electrochromic glazings; and several static alternatives, including ASHRAE 90-2010 standard compliant windows. Results indicate that the DBEC glazings are capable of outperforming alternatives in a diverse set of locations and building types, including both heating and cooling-dominated regions. Relative to code-compliant static windows, the DBEC is capable of achieving annual primary energy savings between 6 and 30 kW h/ft2 of window area from reduced heating, cooling, and lighting demand. Relative to other advanced glazings, the savings are significantly lower, ranging from 0 to 1.2 kW h/ft2. Regional DBEC energy costmore » savings versus high performance static windows are presented to identify early potential market entries based on energy savings. Lastly, the impacts of widespread deployment of high-efficiency LED lighting on DBEC energy savings potentials are also presented.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
  2. Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
OSTI Identifier:
1532218
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1397016
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC02-05CH11231
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Applied Energy
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 192; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0306-2619
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; 14 SOLAR ENERGY; Dynamic windows; Electrochromic glazings; Visible light switching; NIR switching; Energy savings; Solar heat gain

Citation Formats

DeForest, Nicholas, Shehabi, Arman, Selkowitz, Stephen, and Milliron, Delia J. A comparative energy analysis of three electrochromic glazing technologies in commercial and residential buildings. United States: N. p., 2017. Web. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.02.007.
DeForest, Nicholas, Shehabi, Arman, Selkowitz, Stephen, & Milliron, Delia J. A comparative energy analysis of three electrochromic glazing technologies in commercial and residential buildings. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.02.007
DeForest, Nicholas, Shehabi, Arman, Selkowitz, Stephen, and Milliron, Delia J. Tue . "A comparative energy analysis of three electrochromic glazing technologies in commercial and residential buildings". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.02.007. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1532218.
@article{osti_1532218,
title = {A comparative energy analysis of three electrochromic glazing technologies in commercial and residential buildings},
author = {DeForest, Nicholas and Shehabi, Arman and Selkowitz, Stephen and Milliron, Delia J.},
abstractNote = {Here, we present a simulation study of three dynamic electrochromic window glazings, including a novel glazing capable of independently modulating its optical properties in both the visible and near-infrared spectrums. This capability allows this so-called “dual-band” technology to actively manage the solar heat and visible light transmitted into a building's interior, and creates the potential for heating, cooling, and lighting savings vis-à-vis competing window technologies. In this study EnergyPlus is used to simulate annual energy performance of the dual-band electrochromic (DBEC) glazing in three building types and 16 U.S. climate regions. The savings potential of DBEC windows are presented relative to a conventional electrochromic glazing; a visibly transparent, near-infrared switching electrochromic glazings; and several static alternatives, including ASHRAE 90-2010 standard compliant windows. Results indicate that the DBEC glazings are capable of outperforming alternatives in a diverse set of locations and building types, including both heating and cooling-dominated regions. Relative to code-compliant static windows, the DBEC is capable of achieving annual primary energy savings between 6 and 30 kW h/ft2 of window area from reduced heating, cooling, and lighting demand. Relative to other advanced glazings, the savings are significantly lower, ranging from 0 to 1.2 kW h/ft2. Regional DBEC energy cost savings versus high performance static windows are presented to identify early potential market entries based on energy savings. Lastly, the impacts of widespread deployment of high-efficiency LED lighting on DBEC energy savings potentials are also presented.},
doi = {10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.02.007},
journal = {Applied Energy},
number = C,
volume = 192,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Feb 14 00:00:00 EST 2017},
month = {Tue Feb 14 00:00:00 EST 2017}
}

Journal Article:

Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 77 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

Figures / Tables:

Figure 1 Figure 1: Illustration of transmittance of dynamic window insulated glass units (IGU) in each operational state. Conventional ECs transition between states 2 and 3. NIR ECs transition between states 1 and 2. Dual-band ECs are capable of transitioning between each of the above states. Rejection of UV, NIR and visiblemore » light occurs primarily through absorption and re-radiation.« less

Save / Share:

Works referenced in this record:

Optimization of Building Energy Performance through Passive Design Strategies
journal, January 2016

  • Omrany, Hossein; Marsono, Abdul
  • British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, Vol. 13, Issue 6
  • DOI: 10.9734/BJAST/2016/23116

A review of conventional, advanced, and smart glazing technologies and materials for improving indoor environment
journal, January 2017

  • Rezaei, Soroosh Daqiqeh; Shannigrahi, Santiranjan; Ramakrishna, Seeram
  • Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol. 159
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2016.08.026

Passive building energy savings: A review of building envelope components
journal, October 2011

  • Sadineni, Suresh B.; Madala, Srikanth; Boehm, Robert F.
  • Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 15, Issue 8
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.014

Effect of facade components on energy efficiency in office buildings
journal, November 2015


Energy performance of windows in office buildings considering daylight integration and visual comfort in hot climates
journal, December 2015


The role of window glazing on daylighting and energy saving in buildings
journal, February 2015


Climate adaptive building shells: State-of-the-art and future challenges
journal, September 2013


The optimal thermo-optical properties and energy saving potential of adaptive glazing technologies
journal, October 2015


Performance, materials and coating technologies of thermochromic thin films on smart windows
journal, October 2013

  • Kamalisarvestani, M.; Saidur, R.; Mekhilef, S.
  • Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 26
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2013.05.038

Electrochromics and Thermochromics: Towards a New Paradigm for Energy Efficient Buildings
journal, January 2016


Fast-Switching Photovoltachromic Cells with Tunable Transmittance
journal, July 2009

  • Wu, Jih-Jen; Hsieh, Min-Da; Liao, Wen-Pin
  • ACS Nano, Vol. 3, Issue 8
  • DOI: 10.1021/nn900428s

Photoelectrochromic windows and displays
journal, October 1996

  • Bechinger, Clemens; Ferrere, Suzanne; Zaban, Arie
  • Nature, Vol. 383, Issue 6601
  • DOI: 10.1038/383608a0

Properties, requirements and possibilities of smart windows for dynamic daylight and solar energy control in buildings: A state-of-the-art review
journal, February 2010

  • Baetens, Ruben; Jelle, Bjørn Petter; Gustavsen, Arild
  • Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol. 94, Issue 2, p. 87-105
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2009.08.021

Switchable Glazing Technology: Electrochromic Fenestration for Energy-Efficient Buildings
book, January 2013


Forthcoming perspectives of photoelectrochromic devices: a critical review
journal, January 2016

  • Cannavale, Alessandro; Cossari, Pierluigi; Eperon, Giles E.
  • Energy & Environmental Science, Vol. 9, Issue 9
  • DOI: 10.1039/C6EE01514J

New electrochromic mirror systems
journal, December 2003


Evaluation of electrochromic windows impact in the energy performance of buildings in Mediterranean climates
journal, April 2014


Energy performance assessment of an electrochromic window
journal, April 2006


Advancement of Electrochromic Windows
report, April 2006

  • Lee, Eleanor S.; Selkowitz, Stephen E.; Clear, Robert D.
  • DOI: 10.2172/899732

Energy and visual comfort performance of electrochromic windows with overhangs
journal, June 2007


Electrochromic dynamic windows for office buildings
journal, June 2012

  • Sbar, Neil L.; Podbelski, Lou; Yang, Hong Mo
  • International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, Vol. 1, Issue 1
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsbe.2012.09.001

Electrochromics for smart windows: Oxide-based thin films and devices
journal, August 2014


Electrochromics for energy efficient buildings: Towards long-term durability and materials rejuvenation
journal, September 2015


Performance requirements for electrochromic smart window
journal, September 2015


Dynamically Modulating the Surface Plasmon Resonance of Doped Semiconductor Nanocrystals
journal, October 2011

  • Garcia, Guillermo; Buonsanti, Raffaella; Runnerstrom, Evan L.
  • Nano Letters, Vol. 11, Issue 10, p. 4415-4420
  • DOI: 10.1021/nl202597n

Switchable Materials for Smart Windows
journal, June 2016


Near-Infrared Spectrally Selective Plasmonic Electrochromic Thin Films
journal, February 2013

  • Garcia, Guillermo; Buonsanti, Raffaella; Llordes, Anna
  • Advanced Optical Materials, Vol. 1, Issue 3
  • DOI: 10.1002/adom.201200051

Energy and emissions analysis of next generation electrochromic devices
journal, November 2016

  • Baldassarri, Catia; Shehabi, Arman; Asdrubali, Francesco
  • Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol. 156
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2015.12.017

Regional performance targets for transparent near-infrared switching electrochromic window glazings
journal, March 2013


United States energy and CO2 savings potential from deployment of near-infrared electrochromic window glazings
journal, July 2015


Composite for smarter windows
journal, August 2013


Tunable near-infrared and visible-light transmittance in nanocrystal-in-glass composites
journal, August 2013

  • Llordés, Anna; Garcia, Guillermo; Gazquez, Jaume
  • Nature, Vol. 500, Issue 7462
  • DOI: 10.1038/nature12398

Nanocomposite Architecture for Rapid, Spectrally-Selective Electrochromic Modulation of Solar Transmittance
journal, July 2015


Simulation-based support for product development of innovative building envelope components
journal, September 2014


EnergyPlus: creating a new-generation building energy simulation program
journal, April 2001


Optimal control and performance of photovoltachromic switchable glazing for building integration in temperate climates
journal, September 2016


Comparing the energy performance of an electrochromic window under various control strategies
journal, August 2007


Control criteria of electrochromic glasses for energy savings in mediterranean buildings refurbishment
journal, September 2016


Revealing occupancy patterns in an office building through the use of occupancy sensor data
journal, December 2013


Patterns of occupant interaction with window blinds: A literature review
journal, August 2012


Works referencing / citing this record:

Multi-Season Assessment of Occupant Responses to Manual Shading and Dynamic Glass in a Workplace Environment
journal, December 2019

  • Choi, Joon-Ho; Loftness, Vivian; Nou, Danny
  • Energies, Vol. 13, Issue 1
  • DOI: 10.3390/en13010060

Chromogenic Technologies for Energy Saving
journal, November 2020


Comparative Performance of Semi-Transparent PV Modules and Electrochromic Windows for Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings
journal, June 2018

  • Martín-Chivelet, Nuria; Guillén, Cecilia; Trigo, Juan
  • Energies, Vol. 11, Issue 6
  • DOI: 10.3390/en11061526