Diseño de una fachada termoeléctrica activa

La conciencia social sobre el uso eficiente de la energía ha aumentado considerablemente en estos últimos años. La envolvente y los sistemas de climatización son los principales responsables de la demanda y el consumo de energía en los edificios. Teniendo estos puntos en cuenta, un grupo de investigación de la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Navarra está desarrollando un proyecto llamado “Desarrollo, construcción y análisis de un cerramiento de fachada activo con células Peltier”. Dicho trabajo se centra en la obtención de una solución integral de cerramiento y climatización. Para ello se plantea un cerramiento de fachada ventilada opaco industrializado de altas prestaciones capaz de adaptarse de forma dinámica a los cambios ambientales que incluye un sistema de climatización por termoelectricidad en su interior. El sistema de fachada innovador planteado incorpora el sistema de climatización mediante células Peltier que consiste en un sistema de bomba de calor termoeléctrica diseñado para ser incorporado en la fachada de los edificios. Además, se han introducido una serie de mecanismos que permiten el control del flujo de aire dentro de la cámara del cerramiento. Con la intención de cuantificar y comprobar el comportamiento real de las ideas antes planteadas, en la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Navarra, se ha construido un prototipo del sistema de fachada innovador y se ha instalado en un módulo prefabricado de ensayo que simula una habitación tipo. De esta manera se están recogiendo datos reales de comportamiento, que permitirán realizar una valoración objetiva del nuevo sistema

Construction of an Active Façade Envelope with Peltier Cells

The team researchers have been investigating on alternative ways for buildings to waste less energy. The result is the consecution of a new facade system with Peltier cells, that is to say, a new system of air conditioning that works both as a machine as a facade. That means the application in the field of construction of a technology that is already in use in other areas, fundamentally the military and aerospace. The new system has to be a prefabricated element that perfectly fix between the slabs. The result of all these ideas is the construction of a prefabricated module, consisting of a simplified inhabited housing unit with a thermoelectric installation that provides service to this module. The prototype has been monitored during one year. The University of Navarra has got the national patent for a “prefabricated and decentralized facade module for the climate control of inhabited spaces”. Moreover, the Thermoelectric Conditioning System (TCS) is designed to reach a high comfort level for people living in the local. Without mechanical parts like pumps or compressors, there is no necessity for maintenance, reducing the possibilities of failure. The only mechanical elements are the dissipation heat fans placed in the external face of the prototype. There are also some heat sinks to evacuate the heat from the power elements. The next step is improving the system as a facade, paying special attention to carry out the legal façade envelope’s requirements, such us, noise level, thermal transmittance, hydrothermal condition or behavior against fire. At the same time, it is going to be design a facade solution that tries to take advantage of inside and outside conditions in order to achieve the desire inside comfort conditions. Furthermore, the module is going to integrate photovoltaic panels to achieve a total autonomy system, which does not need to be connected to the traditional electrical network

Theoretical design of an active façade system with Peltier Cells

The research is looking for an innovative self-sufficient, industrialized and lightweight façade module that integrates a thermoelectric HVAC system. The principal aim of the research was to try providing a built answer to the current efficiency objectives (Directive 2010/31/CE), creating a façade solution that can be installed in new buildings or in already existing ones. This report tries to explain the theoretical design of this new façade system with Peltier cells

Development and construction of a thermoelectric active facade module

In order to fulfil the current challenges for the European building sector, building design has diverged into two alternative directions: active technologies and passive design strategies. In the last few years, advanced and responsive building envelope components have represented a promising answer to these challenges. This paper presents the design and construction process of a project that aims to design, build and control the energy performance of an industrial-scale modular active ventilated facade prototype with a new Themoelectric Peltier System (TPS). The TPS is a thermoelectric HVAC heat pump system designed to be located in the building envelope and providing a high comfort level. Trying to optimize the energy performance of the traditional ventilated opaque facade, and make more efficient the energy performance of the TPS, the concept of adaptability has been applied to ventilated opaque facades. The essential research theme is to control the natural phenomena that take place inside the ventilated air cavity of the facade: taking advantage when heat dissipation is needed, and avoiding it when heat losses are not welcome. In order to quantify the previous statements, some facade prototypes are being built in Pamplona (Spain) and their energy performance is going to be analyzed during a year

COVID-19 outbreaks in a transmission control scenario: challenges posed by social and leisure activities, and for workers in vulnerable conditions, Spain, early summer 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 community-wide transmission declined in Spain by early May 2020, being replaced by outbreaks and sporadic cases. From mid-June to 2 August, excluding single household outbreaks, 673 outbreaks were notified nationally, 551 active (>6,200 cases) at the time. More than half of these outbreaks and cases coincided with: (i) social (family/friends’ gatherings or leisure venues) and (ii) occupational (mainly involving workers in vulnerable conditions) settings. Control measures were accordingly applied

Construction of an Active Façade Envelope with Peltier Cells

The team researchers have been investigating on alternative ways for buildings to waste less energy. The result is the consecution of a new facade system with Peltier cells, that is to say, a new system of air conditioning that works both as a machine as a facade. That means the application in the field of construction of a technology that is already in use in other areas, fundamentally the military and aerospace. The new system has to be a prefabricated element that perfectly fix between the slabs. The result of all these ideas is the construction of a prefabricated module, consisting of a simplified inhabited housing unit with a thermoelectric installation that provides service to this module. The prototype has been monitored during one year. The University of Navarra has got the national patent for a “prefabricated and decentralized facade module for the climate control of inhabited spaces”. Moreover, the Thermoelectric Conditioning System (TCS) is designed to reach a high comfort level for people living in the local. Without mechanical parts like pumps or compressors, there is no necessity for maintenance, reducing the possibilities of failure. The only mechanical elements are the dissipation heat fans placed in the external face of the prototype. There are also some heat sinks to evacuate the heat from the power elements. The next step is improving the system as a facade, paying special attention to carry out the legal façade envelope’s requirements, such us, noise level, thermal transmittance, hydrothermal condition or behavior against fire. At the same time, it is going to be design a facade solution that tries to take advantage of inside and outside conditions in order to achieve the desire inside comfort conditions. Furthermore, the module is going to integrate photovoltaic panels to achieve a total autonomy system, which does not need to be connected to the traditional electrical network

Diseño de una fachada termoeléctrica activa

La conciencia social sobre el uso eficiente de la energía ha aumentado considerablemente en estos últimos años. La envolvente y los sistemas de climatización son los principales responsables de la demanda y el consumo de energía en los edificios. Teniendo estos puntos en cuenta, un grupo de investigación de la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Navarra está desarrollando un proyecto llamado “Desarrollo, construcción y análisis de un cerramiento de fachada activo con células Peltier”. Dicho trabajo se centra en la obtención de una solución integral de cerramiento y climatización. Para ello se plantea un cerramiento de fachada ventilada opaco industrializado de altas prestaciones capaz de adaptarse de forma dinámica a los cambios ambientales que incluye un sistema de climatización por termoelectricidad en su interior. El sistema de fachada innovador planteado incorpora el sistema de climatización mediante células Peltier que consiste en un sistema de bomba de calor termoeléctrica diseñado para ser incorporado en la fachada de los edificios. Además, se han introducido una serie de mecanismos que permiten el control del flujo de aire dentro de la cámara del cerramiento. Con la intención de cuantificar y comprobar el comportamiento real de las ideas antes planteadas, en la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Navarra, se ha construido un prototipo del sistema de fachada innovador y se ha instalado en un módulo prefabricado de ensayo que simula una habitación tipo. De esta manera se están recogiendo datos reales de comportamiento, que permitirán realizar una valoración objetiva del nuevo sistema

Theoretical design of an active façade system with Peltier Cells

The research is looking for an innovative self-sufficient, industrialized and lightweight façade module that integrates a thermoelectric HVAC system. The principal aim of the research was to try providing a built answer to the current efficiency objectives (Directive 2010/31/CE), creating a façade solution that can be installed in new buildings or in already existing ones. This report tries to explain the theoretical design of this new façade system with Peltier cells

Caja adiabática diseñada para minimizar el puente térmico de un sistema termoeléctrico

Los autores del artículo trabajan en la integración de la termoelectricidad en fachadas desde el año 2009. El objeto de este artículo es revisar las posibilidades que esta tecnología ofrece para su incorporación como sistema de climatización de edificios, centrándose en la descripción y análisis del comportamiento del último prototipo realizado dentro de un proyecto de investigación. Para ello, se describen los criterios de diseño y los componentes necesarios para su montaje, aspectos en los que ha tenido especial importancia la reducción del puente térmico respecto a prototipos anteriores. Se explica la metodología experimental seguida, los ensayos realizados, y se analizan críticamente los resultados. Las conclusiones plantean mejoras y recomendaciones para implementar en futuros desarrollos.The authors of the article work on the integration of thermoelectricity in facades since 2009. The purpose of this article is to review the possibilities that this technology offers for its incorporation as a building air conditioning system, focusing on the description and analysis of the behaviour of the last prototype made within a research project. For this, the design criteria and the necessary components for its assembly are described, in this aspect the reduction of the thermal bridge with respect to previous prototypes has been especially important. The experimental methodology followed, and the tests performed are explained, critically analysing the results. The conclusions raise improvements and recommendations to implement in future developments

Caja adiabática diseñada para minimizar el puente térmico de un sistema termoeléctrico

Los autores del artículo trabajan en la integración de la termoelectricidad en fachadas desde el año 2009. El objeto de este artículo es revisar las posibilidades que esta tecnología ofrece para su incorporación como sistema de climatización de edificios, centrándose en la descripción y análisis del comportamiento del último prototipo realizado dentro de un proyecto de investigación. Para ello, se describen los criterios de diseño y los componentes necesarios para su montaje, aspectos en los que ha tenido especial importancia la reducción del puente térmico respecto a prototipos anteriores. Se explica la metodología experimental seguida, los ensayos realizados, y se analizan críticamente los resultados. Las conclusiones plantean mejoras y recomendaciones para implementar en futuros desarrollos.The authors of the article work on the integration of thermoelectricity in facades since 2009. The purpose of this article is to review the possibilities that this technology offers for its incorporation as a building air conditioning system, focusing on the description and analysis of the behaviour of the last prototype made within a research project. For this, the design criteria and the necessary components for its assembly are described, in this aspect the reduction of the thermal bridge with respect to previous prototypes has been especially important. The experimental methodology followed, and the tests performed are explained, critically analysing the results. The conclusions raise improvements and recommendations to implement in future developments