Project NNE5-1999-00461
| SWIFT
Switchable Facade Technology
Project NNE5-1999-00461 |
|
Welcome
Welcome to the official website
of the SWIFT project "Switchable Facade Technology"!
This project has been funded by the European Commission, Research Directorate General within the Framework FP5 program "Energy, environment and sustainable development" as project Project NNE5-1999-00461 under the contract number ENK6-CT-1999-00012.
The project started the 1st of May 2000 and ran over a 3-year period until the 30th April 2003.
This website is intended to give public available information on the project, on the partnership and on switchable facade technology, which is based on electrochromic and gasochromic glazings. For public results of the project please go toPublications
Objectives
The SWIFT project investigates switchable facades, based on both electrochromic and gasochromic principle, as complete products in a holistic way and tries to overcome limitations of an individual component approach.. Its main objective is not material research and technical development of the individual products, but research on performance assessment and evaluation. The central topic of the common research is the future user and the future designer of these facades. Therefore a common European project consortium incorporating competitive companies seemed possible and fruitful constellation for this work.
Overview of work
Within four major work packages questions of technical, engineering, architectural and general public interest will be answered. Existing prototype systems are being investigated in laboratories and demonstration installation thoroughly in order to provide future customers and designers with first rate information on energy performance, comfort issues and reliablity of the materials and systems.
Switchable glazing technology provides new building components for controlling solar gains and daylight. This is a challenge to architects and designers, as novel features of glazings, profiles and control systems need additional consideration during the planning stage. User reactions and use patterns have to be evaluated.
These new technologies are ready to raise considerable interest in the building sector provided guaranteed and objective guidance and performance information can be given. The specific advantages compared to traditional shading devices have to be investigated in order to provide the industry with sound arguments, precise guidelines and planning details. These tasks are performed through the following work items:
Providing detailed and impartial data
in the areas of optical and thermal characterization, system reliability,
architectural and engineering building integration as well as environmental
and economical impact paves and guides the way for broad implementation
of these technologies into the future building market. Notwithstanding
individual pros and cons of the two competitive electrochomic and gasochromic
approaches switchable facade technology in general is considered a big
step towards a sustainable building envelope. A broad and worldwide interest
can be predicted for the use of switchable facade technology. The SWIFT
consortium is working with joint efforts to support the common aim of bringing
the switchable facade technology to the public.
The work within the project is split
up into four work packages WP1 to WP4 which are described in the following
sections.
Objectives
A full characterization in the laboratory
serves to develop building component models which describe the performance
of the switchable facades in sufficient detail. Switching conditions and
sensitivity against environmental changes shall be characterized realistically.
Outdoor testing provides dynamical data of real installations which may
serve as validation basis using the implemented building models.
| Laboratory characterisation
The optical and
thermal measurements in the laboratory are a basis for complete characterization
for visual, solar and thermal properties of the glazing units. The properties
provided are:
Where necessary, spectral optical data and the dependence of these properties on incidence angle and time (hysterisis) are tested. |
Laboratory measurements of SWIFT glazing |
Outdoor test facilities
| The
installation of test facades in outdoor test facilities is necessary to
assess the performance under real environmental conditions.
Building component modelling Using the lab data for selected incidence angles the complete building component (facade unit) shall be modelled for arbitrary environmental conditions. Using these models the performance of SWIFT facades can be simulated within the building simulation programmes for any case study. Building component simulation Comparing test cell monitoring results with simulated results using the building component models for the facade units, discrepancies can be analysed and possible errors or simplifications can be identified. Load profiles (glazing temperatures, profile temperatures, irradiance levels) will be simulated for the test sites which can be used for two purposes: - analysis of
failure modes (WP2)
|
View through window of Freiburg test facade (glazing in coloured state) |
WP2: Durability and Reliability
This work package is intended to assess the durability and the reliability of electrochromic and gasochromic glazing. It includes outdoor and indoor testing as well as a risk analysis procedure (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis).
On the one hand, we assess the reliability and the durability by means of original ageing tests taking into account the switchable ability. Tests are processed in Freiburg, Grenoble and Athens, both on electrochromic and gasochromic glazing. Outdoor and indoor testing tools and procedures are briefly described hereafter.
On the other hand, we produce and gather
information concerning the potential failure modes (non ability to ensure
one of the function for which the product is designed) by means of a tool
originally used in the aeronautical and automotive domains. It is based
on a precise description of the products (elements), its environment, and
then by the identification of the various scenarios that could lead to
failure.
Outdoor exposure and testing
Grenoble outdoor facilities (testbox identical to Freiburg) |
|
| Cycling is
composed of two cycles /day (coloured 2 hours after local sunrise, bleached
1 hour before midday, coloured 1 hour before midday, and bleached 2 hours
before local sunset), as shown on the following plotting.
Various measures have been done during cycling in outdoor testing (climatic parameters or temperature distribution, sun radiation levels). |
 |
Accelerated indoor testing
Grenoble: Accelerated testing device (Tests 1, 2 and 3) |
Several
accelerated indoor tests will be performed:
|
User evaluation
Users assessments
of comfort and acceptance of control strategies is being done with questionnaires
and/or bio feedback, a technique already developed in the previous European
project EULISP to evaluate user preferences, comfort in the visual and
thermal aspects and acceptance of operating conditions. The technique has
to be extended in thermal aspects, as previously daylight related questions
were asked.
Objectives
Pilot test facades shall be built for
real buildings. Monitoring and evaluation of user acceptance will give
information on the performance. Through further development of simulation
tools the switchable facades will be integrated and modeled in lighting
and energy building simulation. The optimization of the interaction between
facade, lighting, heating and cooling is a main objective of the work package.
Putting information from testimng, simulation results and practical expertise
together, guidelines targeted for architects, design engineers and builders
shall be developed drawing also on the results from other work packages.
For the planning professionals these guidelines shall show the potential
benefits and positive application approaches for the technology.
| Practical integration
in buildings
In Eindhoven and Freiburg real facades
in combination with adapted lighting systems and a suitable control system
have been installed. Lighting states, illuminance levels temperatures and
other quantities are being monitored in office rooms with and without occupancy.
Simulation work Solar shading and daylighting strategies and energy saving potentials are critically dependent on the choosen boundary conditions (e.g. internal sources and ventilation). Representative "Reference offices" have been defined and designed in order to be able to compare simulations. |
Facade integration at Eindhoven University |
| These offices
shall represent a large number of cases in reality. For an performance
evaluation of the switchable facade technology in office buildings the
daylighting, solar control and artificial lighting aspects have to be optimized
with respect to the indoor climate and cooling/heating loads. This is possible
only with coupled light and thermal building simulation. Thus a strategy
how to do this practically with the tools ESP-r and RADIANCE is being developed.
Switchable facade technology allows energy to be saved and reduces CO2 considerably provided the three components facade, artificial lighting and HVAC installations work cooperatively. The interactions of these three (or more) subsystems will be optimized in example cases. |
Daylight simulation of segmented window with different colouration states |
Guidelines
The guidelines will be a final public
summary of condensed information also from other workpackages which should
enable architects and engineers to deal with all important planning aspects
of switching facade technology. Therefore the guidelines will be published
after the project has ended.
Objectives
Aspects of sustainability are treated
in this work package. Mainly data shall be collected, extended and produced
supporting the knowledge on the impact of SWIFT technology on the environment.
Considered as a big step towards a sustainable building envelope one has
to show the energy savings and the CO2 reductions during operation.
The material flows during lifetime shall be investigated. There should
be a positive impact on installed plant size supporting economy of the
technology. The market analysis and investigation of possible application
area is a first step towards exploitation.
| Demand assessment/
Market potential
A preliminary demand assessment consists
of two parts. First a study on market data for glazings and shading as
well as statistical information on building stock shall give the manufacturers
some better idea on market chances.
|
Result of expert questionaire: Preferable applications for SWIFT facades |
Environmental impact study
The environmental
impact of SWIFT will be analysed with respect to a selected set of indicators.
Neglecting emissions of substances - mainly due to production in this case
- the methodology of lice cycle analysis will be applied in order to assess
the impact of a product over its life time, however restricted to energy
and CO2.
Energy savings and CO2 reductions potential
Using the simulation case studies and
the building stock data, reductions on heating, cooling
and lighting energy during operation may be estimated for EU climatic regions.
Implications of use on building installations
Similar using the detailed simulation
results of selected cases the potential reductions of installed peak power
compared to conventional facade options (new buildings) and status quo
(building stock) can be estimated. The reductions of installed power due
to SWIFT technology shall be evaluated.
Up to now there are some publications directly related to SWIFT results. Please be patient as this list of pdf-documents will probably grow even after the end of the project...
Publication 1: "The
Optical Properties of Gasochromic Glazing"
H. R. Wilson, R Blessing, H Hagenström, M G Hutchins, D Dvorjetski
,W J Platzer
Conf. Proc. 4th International Conference on Coatings on Glass, 3rd-7th
November, 2002,
Braunschweig, Germany
Publication 2: "Chromogenic
Glazing: Performance and Durability Issues"
H. R. Wilson
IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme, Task 27, Solar Façade Components.
Workshop, 1st October 2002
Ottawa, Canada
Publication 3: "A
detailed characterization of commercial electrochromic devices for building
applications"
G. Fasano, A. Maccari, P. Polato, M. Zinzi
ISES Europe Conference Eurosun 2002, 23rd-26th June, 2002,
Bologna, Italy
Publication 4: "
Switchable Facades and Visual Comfort"
A. Tenner, L. Zonneveldt
Proc. Right Light 5, Nice, May 29-31, 2002
Publication 5: "
Switchable Facade Technology - Energy Efficient Offices with Smart Facades"
W J Platzer
ISES Solar World Congress 2003, Goteborg, Sweden, 14th-19th June 2003
Publication 6: "
Switchable Facade Technology - Final Public Project Report"
W J Platzer
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Freiburg, 2003
Publication 7: "
Architectural and Technical Guidelines - Handbook for the Use of Switchable Facades Technology"
W J Platzer (Ed.)
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Freiburg, 2003
Publication 8: "
Color rendering properties of interior lighting influenced by a switchable window"
M Klanjsek Gunde, U Opara Krasovec, W J Platzer
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A Vol 22/3, 2005
List of partners
| Partner | Contact person | |
 |
Fraunhofer
Institut für Solare Energiesysteme (ISE)
Heidenhofstr. 2 79110 Freiburg Germany http://www.ise.fhg.de |
Dr.
Werner Platzer
Phone ++49-761-4588-0 Fax ++49-761-4588-9000 platzer@ise.fhg.de |
 |
CSTB
- Centre Scientifique et Téchnique du Batiment
24, Rue Joseph-Fourier 38400 Saint-Martin d´Heres France http://www.cstb.fr |
Dr.
Bruno
Chevalier
Phone ++33-76-76-2556 Fax ++33-76-76-2046/2560 bruno.chevalier@cstb.fr |
 |
TNO-TUE
Centre for Building Research P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven Netherlands http://www.tno-bouw.nl |
Dr.
Laurens
Zonneveldt
Phone ++31-40-2472814 Fax ++31-40-2438595 l.zonneveldt@bwk.tue.nl |
 |
University
of Athens (NKUA)
University Campus - Building Physics 5 15784 Athens Greece |
Aris
Tsangrassoulis
Phone ++30-1-7276 841 Fax ++30-1-7295 282 aristag@cc.uoa.gr |
 |
National
Institute of Chemistry (NIC)
Hajdrihova 19 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia http://www.ki.si |
Dr.
Ursa
Opara-Krasovec
Phone ++386-1-4760200 Fax ++386-1-4259244 ursa.opara@ki.si |
 |
Oxford
Brookes University (OBU)
School of EngineeringGipsy Lane Campus Headington, Oxford OX3 OBP UK United Kingdom http://www.brookes.ac.uk |
Prof.
Michael
Hutchins
Phone ++44-1865-48-3604 Fax ++44-1865-48-4263 mhutchins@brookes.ac.uk |
 |
Flabeg
GmbH & Co. KG
Glaserstr. 1 93437 Furth i. Wald Germany http://www.flabeg.com |
Dr.
Jens Cardinal
Phone ++49-9973-858-223 Fax ++49-9973-858-227 jens.cardinal@flabeg.de |
 |
Interpane
Entwicklung & Beratung GmbH
Sohnreystr. 21 37697 Lauenförde Germany http://www.interpane.com |
Dr.
Helen Rose Wilson
c/o Fraunhofer ISE Phone ++49-761-4588-5149, Fax ++49-761-4588-132 wilson@ise.fhg.de |
 |
Philips
Lighting B.V.
ADLS, Building EDX, D. P.O. Box 80020 5600 JM Eindhoven Netherlands http://www.philips.com |
Dr.
Ariadne
Tenner
Phone ++31-4027-55413 Fax ++31-4027-56503 ariadne.tenner@philips.com |
 |
Metallbau
Ralf Boetker GmbH
Meenheit 28816 Stuhr Germany http://www.boetker.de |
Dipl.-Ing.
Jens-Martin
Grünewald
Phone ++49-421-57657-0 Fax ++49-421--57657-77 jens-martin.gruenewald@boetker.de |
 |
Université
Catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Architecture et Climat Place du Levant, 1 1348 Louvain- la- Neuve Belgium http://www.arch.ucl.ac.be |
Prof.
André
De Herde
Phone ++32-10-47 21-42 Fax ++32-10-47 21-50 deherde@arch.ucl.ac.be |
 |
ENEA
Via Anguillarese, 301 00060 S. Maria Di Galeria Rome Italy http://www.enea.it |
Michele
Zinzi
Phone ++39-06-3048 6256 Fax ++39-06-3048 6315 michele.zinzi@casaccia.enea.it |
 |
European
Commission (EC) / Research Director-General
RTD Programme "Improvement of energy efficiency" Rue de la Loi 1049 Bruxelles Belgium http://www.cordis.lu |
Dr. Erich
Nägele
Phone ++32-2-2965061 Fax ++32-2-2993694 erich.naegele@cec.eu.int |
IEA Task 27 IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme Task 27: Performance of Solar Façade Components
WINDAT Windows as Renewable Energy Sources for Europe Window Energy Data Network
EWERS European Window Energy Rating Project
ENERBUILD European Network on Building Research
E-CORE European Construction Research Network
SOBIC Solar Building Innovation Center
WIRE
World-wide Information on Renewable Energies (WIRE)