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SMART WINDOWS FOR SMART BUILDINGS
Impact/Purpose:
The challenge is to design a system that can actively adjust the window configuration and coordinate its actions with a building’s lighting and HVAC systems in order to maintain the environment desired by a building occupant while minimizing energy costs. We will assemble an interdisciplinary team of students to design a cost-effective system to meet this objective through the used of highly insulated glass, active louvered shades, photovoltaic cells, environmental sensors, micro controllers, and communication links. The development process will include detailed design, simulation, analysis, and optimization of the system (including total cost projections), completion of functional prototypes, and systems testing and evaluation. Our design will be verified and validated through comparative testing with conventional systems.
This project will have clear benefit to people by increasing comfort and lowering costs, while improving air quality. The planet will benefit due to reduced energy consumption and corresponding reductions in emissions and warming. Commercialization of this system will provide direct prosperity through manufacturing, sales, distribution, installation, and service of the systems, and reduced energy production and infrastructure costs.
Metrics for success of this design will be reductions in energy and resource consumption, and increases in interior comfort level, interior air quality, and ease of use. The data for the new system will be compared to the conventional benchmark system with standard windows and thermal control systems.
Description:
Roughly one third of all energy consumed in the U.S. is used in the residential or commercial sector. Of that, over half of the energy is used to provide lighting and to control the temperature of those buildings. “Smart buildings” is a concept to apply principles of extreme energy conservation and intelligent control systems to minimize the energy use of any structure, while maximizing comfort and air quality. Through a combination of active and passive measures, substantial reductions in resource use can be achieved. This proposal is aimed at one aspect of the Smart Building – Smart Windows.