A Building Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal (BIPV/T) system that consists of a mechanically ventilated, multi-skin facade, a between-the-panes venetian blind layer, and a between-the-panes Photovoltaic (PV) panel is considered. Ambient air is drawn in and forced to flow upward through the system. As air moves through the system, it is heated by the blind layer, the glazing layers, and the PV panel. This BIPV/T system is especially attractive because it can produce electricity and thermal energy in the form of preheated fresh air and allow for adjustable daylighting. There is a need to understand, design, and optimize BIPV/T systems. The velocity and temperature fields around the blind slats were experimentally and numerically studied. Experimental observations and numerical models are essential in understanding the complex fluid dynamical and thermal system and providing design and optimization guidelines. Solar-optical and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models were developed and validated at various blind slat angles and flow mean speeds. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and temperature measurements were taken inside the ventilated facade. A simple empirical one-dimensional (1–D) model was developed, based on average surface temperatures and heat transfer coefficients, to quickly calculate average surface temperatures and heat flux rates. Between-the-panes convective heat transfer coefficients were obtained from CFD and used in the 1–D model. Despite high vertical temperature stratifications along the glazing, shading, and air layers, the 1–D model can predict the surface temperatures accurately and allow for future optimization and inclusion in building energy simulation software.

A Building Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal (BIPV/T) system that consists of a mechanically ventilated, multi-skin facade, a between-the-panes venetian blind layer, and a between-the-panes Photovoltaic (PV) panel is considered. Ambient air is drawn in and forced to flow upward through the system. As air moves through the system, it is heated by the blind layer, the glazing layers, and the PV panel. This BIPV/T system is especially attractive because it can produce electricity and thermal energy in the form of preheated fresh air and allow for adjustable daylighting. There is a need to understand, design, and optimize BIPV/T systems. The velocity and temperature fields around the blind slats were experimentally and numerically studied. Experimental observations and numerical models are essential in understanding the complex fluid dynamical and thermal system and providing design and optimization guidelines. Solar-optical and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models were developed and validated at various blind slat angles and flow mean speeds. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and temperature measurements were taken inside the ventilated facade. A simple empirical one-dimensional (1–D) model was developed, based on average surface temperatures and heat transfer coefficients, to quickly calculate average surface temperatures and heat flux rates. Between-the-panes convective heat transfer coefficients were obtained from CFD and used in the 1–D model. Despite high vertical temperature stratifications along the glazing, shading, and air layers, the 1–D model can predict the surface temperatures accurately and allow for future optimization and inclusion in building energy simulation software.

Visual integration of the building interior and exterior is one of the charms of today's architecture. The Double-Skin facade system is a technology that can reduce the drawbacks of using glass in a building's elevation. In fact, the double-skin façade (DSF) offers transparency while reducing energy consumption when compared to single-skin systems in cold and moderate weather conditions. However, there is no clear evidence of how the system will perform in hot climate conditions. In this research, a testing procedure was established to experimentally evaluate the performance of the double-skin façade system, data was collected to create multiple regression models, and then evaluate the double-skin façade's performance and compare it to a single-skin system in hot arid climate conditions. / Doctor of Philosophy / Improving the quality of indoor environments is a main goal in today’s architecture. Towards this goal, the use of glass and curtain walls is common in office buildings. The building façade is a key factor for the amount of energy consumed to reach comfort levels in the building. That is, because facades influence lighting, glare, heat gain, noise safety and energy usage. Therefore, the use of glass improves transparency which can interfere with comfort levels inside the building due to solar heat gain. The Double Skin façade system is widely adopted in Europe and has been shown to reduce energy used for heating in cold weather. In winter, heat losses can be reduced as the system’s intermediate cavity acts as a thermal buffer. However, there is no clear understanding of how the system will perform in hot arid climate conditions where cooling is the dominant operating mode. A Double Skin Façade can provide shading during the overheating period, while having the desired glass elevations sought by designers. This is due to ventilation and solar control devices located inside the system’s cavity. Being placed between the interior and the exterior glass panels, solar control devices are protected from the weather, which in return decreases its size. Furthermore, the additional glass panel allows windows in the system’s inner layer to be opened for natural ventilation. Unfortunately, the performance of the Double Skin Façade system for hot arid climate is not well documented. Therefore, the primary goal of this research is to compare the thermal and light performance of the Double Skin Façade system to a single façade system for hot weather conditions.

This research seeks to find a design solution for reducing the energy usage in high-rise office buildings in Singapore. There are numerous methods and techniques that could be employed to achieve the purpose of designing energy efficient buildings. The Thesis explores the viability of double-skin fa??ades (DSF) to provide natural ventilation as an energy efficient solution for office buildings in hot and humid environment by using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and case study methodologies. CFD simulations were used to examine various types of DSF used in office buildings and the behaviour of airflow and thermal transfer through the DSF; the internal thermal comfort levels of each office spaces were analyzed and compared; and an optimization methodology was developed to explore the best DSF configuration to be used in high-rise office buildings in the tropics. The correlation between the fa??ade configurations, the thermal comfort parameters, and the internal office space energy consumption through the DSF is studied and presented. The research outcome of the Thesis has found that significant energy saving is possible if natural ventilation strategies could be exploited with the use of DSF. A prototype DSF configuration which will be best suited for the tropical environment in terms of its energy efficiency through cross ventilation strategy is proposed in this Thesis. A series of comprehensive and user-friendly nomograms for design optimization in selecting the most appropriate double-skin fa??ade configurations with considerations of various orientations for the use in high-rise office buildings in the tropics were also presented.

This research seeks to find a design solution for reducing the energy usage in high-rise office buildings in Singapore. There are numerous methods and techniques that could be employed to achieve the purpose of designing energy efficient buildings. The Thesis explores the viability of double-skin fa??ades (DSF) to provide natural ventilation as an energy efficient solution for office buildings in hot and humid environment by using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and case study methodologies. CFD simulations were used to examine various types of DSF used in office buildings and the behaviour of airflow and thermal transfer through the DSF; the internal thermal comfort levels of each office spaces were analyzed and compared; and an optimization methodology was developed to explore the best DSF configuration to be used in high-rise office buildings in the tropics. The correlation between the fa??ade configurations, the thermal comfort parameters, and the internal office space energy consumption through the DSF is studied and presented. The research outcome of the Thesis has found that significant energy saving is possible if natural ventilation strategies could be exploited with the use of DSF. A prototype DSF configuration which will be best suited for the tropical environment in terms of its energy efficiency through cross ventilation strategy is proposed in this Thesis. A series of comprehensive and user-friendly nomograms for design optimization in selecting the most appropriate double-skin fa??ade configurations with considerations of various orientations for the use in high-rise office buildings in the tropics were also presented.

L'objectif de ce travail de thèse est de développer une méthodologie d'aide à la prise de décisions pour la conception énergétique de bâtiments durables. La méthodologie proposée est composée de : (1) une base de seize indicateurs caractérisant la performance énergétique du bâtiment, couvrant les trois dimensions du concept de la durabilité (aspects environnementaux, économiques et de confort des occupants) et suivant une approche de type cycle de vie ; (2) une méthode d'évaluation de ces indicateurs adaptée au niveau de précision de la connaissance du bâtiment dans les premières phases de projet ; (3) une logique de progression des décisions de conception donnée comme un modèle de répartition séquentielle des choix à effectuer à chaque phase de projet ; et (4) une base de connaissances d'éléments du bâtiment comprenant les données techniques, environnementales et économiques nécessaires pour la méthode d'évaluation. Cette méthodologie est destinée à être utilisée par la maîtrise d'œuvre d'un projet de construction, y compris architectes et bureaux d'études concernés par la performance énergétique, pour la conception de bâtiments de bureaux dans un contexte français. Un outil numérique d'évaluation a été mis en place comme une première application de la méthodologie proposée afin d'étudier ce qu'elle peut apporter au concepteur comme éléments d'aide à la prise de décisions. L'intérêt de la mise en œuvre de la méthodologie a été validé par divers cas d'étude à chaque stade du processus de conception : de la phase d'Esquisse à la phase d'Avant-Projet Détaillé. En particulier, l'intégration d'une façade double peau vitrée, dont l'impact sur la performance du bâtiment est encore peu maîtrisé, a été évaluée. / The aim of this thesis work is the development of a decision-support methodology for the energy design of sustainable buildings. The proposed methodology consists of: (1) a set of sixteen indicators of energy performance, covering the three dimensions of the concept of sustainability (environmental, economic and user comfort aspects) and based on a whole life-cycle approach; (2) a framework for the calculation of these indicators, adapted to the level of knowledge and detail of buildings in the early design phases; (3) a decision making roadmap, proposed as a sequential model for structuring decision making throughout the design process; and (4) a knowledge base of building elements, compiling the necessary technical, environmental and economic data for evaluating energy performance. This methodology is aimed to assist architects and engineers who participate in the energy design of office buildings within a French context. An assessment tool has been developed as a first application of the proposed methodology in order to determine its contribution to the process of decision making. The methodology has been validated through various case studies at each stage of the design process: from the schematic design phase to the detailed design phase. In particular, the integration of a double skin facade, whose impact on building performance is still not fully understood, was assessed.

The assignment of my diploma thesis was to design a polyfunctional building. Function of the building is based on the requirements of the Land Use Plan Brno, cadastral zone Židenice. The aim of the design was to improve the quality of public space in the area by creating parks, urban parterre with services, parking and by bringing missing features to the area. The building is located in the centre of the plot. The main facade is oriented to the main street. Design creates new parking on the ground and in the underground garage. On the first floor are rentable spaces for commerce and services. At 2nd and 3rd floor are open space offices with the possibility of spatial variability solutions. Architectural expression of the building is simple, consisting as a compact mass with parterre subsided, useful in terms of energetical sustainability. The facade of the building is made as a combination of a transparent double skin facade and opaque ventilated facade with fibre cement panels. Structural system is a precast concrete frame with a cast-in-place reinforced concrete shear core. Foundation is made as a reinforced concrete pads and strips. Ceiling is made of a precast prestressed hollow core slabs.

<p>Predmet istraživanja načelno se odnosi na razmatranje koncepta dvostrukih ventilisanih fasada (DVF) i njihov uticaj na energetsku efikasnost objekta. Ovaj koncept predstavlja jedan od primera adaptivnih fasada. Plan istraživanja zasnovan je na eksperimentalnom radu (na realnom objektu) i na numeričkim simulacijama modela objekta. Rezultati eksperimentalnog dela istraživanja pokazuju na koji način zavise termičke osobine objekta sa DVF od trenutnih meteorolo&scaron;kih uslova. Takođe, ovi rezultati poslužili su za fino pode&scaron;avanje modela i za postizanje &scaron;to vernije slike realnog objekta. Kriterijum prihvatljivosti, kada je model potvrđen, definisani su sa preporučenim statističkim indikatorima. Na taj način, formiran model u daljoj analizi je kori&scaron;ćen za definisanje sezonskih operativnih strategija. Rezultati simulacija za sve predložene operativne strategije, ocenjuju kakav je njihov uticaj na potro&scaron;nju energije za grejanje i klimatizaciju posmatranog objekta. Poređenjem sa modelima objekta sa tradicionalnom fasadom, pokazana je opravdanost primene koncepta DVF u klimatskim uslovima Beograda.</p> / <p>Research generally refers to the consideration of the concept of a double skin facades (DSF) and their impact on energy efficiency of the building. This concept is an example of adaptive facades. The research plan is based on experimental work and on the numerical model simulation. The results of experimental research works show how energy characteristics of the object with the DSF depend of current meteorological conditions. Also, these results were used to fine-tune the model to achieve as closely as possible the real presentation of the real building. The criterion of eligibility, when the model is verified, are defined with the recommended statistical indicators. Validated model in further analysis is used to define seasonal operational strategies. The simulation results for all proposed operational strategies, assess what is their impact on the building energy consumption for heating and air-conditioning. Compared to the models with a traditional facade, analysis show justification for the application of the concept of DSF in the climatic conditions of Belgrade.</p>

Purpose: The building sector accounts for 40 % of the total energy consumption in Sweden today, and the largest proportion is consumed during the operating phase. From the year 2020 and onwards, all new buildings should be erected as zero-emissionbuildings. The building’s design can reduce energy demands, but the current legal requirements do not favour energy-efficient designs. This study focuses on the design’s importance for the energy efficiency of buildings, i.e., energy-saving design. The impact of specific measures is difficult to calculate due to the complexity of reality. This study aims to highlight the measures that could reduce energy consumption in commercial buildings. Method: In order to provide answers to the issues stated in the report and to achieve the objective of the study, case studies are being conducted investigating three commercial buildings where deliberate decisions were made to use energy-reducing measures. Results and conclusions are based on qualitative interviews and literature studies. Findings: The energy-reducing design measures found to be of most importance used in the studied buildings are the form factor, the window portion and the thermal storage capacity. Moreover, significant savings are possible by carefully consider how solar energy can be limited or used in the building. Generally, buildings tends to become more technical, therefore technical knowledge early in the process is important to reach a good result. Economic incentives and clear objectives with right focus are also important for optimizing a building’s energy performance. The wording and the requirement levels in the Swedish building regulations highly controls the construction of energy efficient buildings. Implications: This study shows how energy efficient design is made today and provides an indication of what can be done and what should be prioritized. By imposing requirements on consumed energy instead of bought, energy efficient design could be favoured. Furthermore, this study suggests that a balance between windows, façade and solar shading are important energy-reducing measures. Regardless of selected energyreducing measures, a good performance is essential. Finally, this study shows that a methodical use of existing knowledge and technology makes a difference. Limitations: A lifecycle approach provides an overall picture of a building’s energy consumption. However, this study is based on the energy consumption during the operating phase. The result of this study does not take economic or aesthetic factors into account. This study is a comparative case study and is based on few but carefully matched cases. The selected cases are commercial buildings where deliberate decisions were made to use energy-reducing measures.

Notre investigation porte sur la simulation numérique des échanges thermo-convectifs dans un canal vertical ouvert à flux imposé. Cette étude rentre dans le cadre des recherches sur le rafraîchissement passif des composants PV intégrés au bâtiment. À cet effet, un code numérique en Différences Finies est utilisé pour résoudre les équations de Navier-Stokes et simuler la convection naturelle dans un canal. Ce problème reste difficile à résoudre parce que l'écriture des conditions aux limites d'entrée et de sortie reste un problème ouvert. Notre travail consiste d'abord en étude des différentes conditions aux limites pour le benchmark numérique AMETH. Les travaux réalisés ont permis de faire un premier choix sur les conditions aux limites. L'étude s'oriente ensuite sur la qualification et la quantification numériques et expérimentales pour deux fluides : l'air (convection-rayonnement) et l'eau (convection pure). Les résultats numériques/expérimentaux ont été comparés et les discordances ont été analysées. Plusieurs aspects phénoménologiques (rayonnement entre surfaces, variation des propriétés thermo-physiques, variation du nombre de Prandtl) ont été abordés afin de caractériser leurs influences respectives sur l'écoulement et le transfert thermique. Enfin, dans le but d'apporter des éléments de réponses sur les conditions aux limites dynamiques, nous avons simulé la convection naturelle d'un canal dans une cavité et tenté une modélisation. / The present investigation deals with natural convection flow in a vertical open-ended channel with wall constant heat flux. This study falls under the framework of research on passive cooling of building integrated PV components. For this purpose, a numerical code developed with Finite Differences scheme is used to solve Navier-Stokes equations and simulate the natural convection in a channel. This problem is difficult to solve because the writing of inlet/outlet boundary conditions remains an open problem. First, our work consists of studying different boundary conditions for the the numerical benchmark AMETH. The work carried out has enabled a first choice of boundary conditions. The study then focuses on numerical and experimental quantification and qualification for two fluids : air ( convection - radiation) and water ( pure convection) . Experimental and numerical results were compared and discrepancies were analyzed. Several phenomenological aspects ( surface radiation, thermophysical properties variation, Prandtl number variation ) were discussed in order to characterize their influence on flow and heat transfer. Finally, in order to provide some answers on dynamical boundary conditions, we simulated natural convection of a channel inside a cavity and tried a modeling.