Experiences when employing different alternatives for envelope upgrading

The challenges of achieving the 2020 goals in terms of energy savings and improving efficiency are guiding numerous research initiatives looking for more insulated envelopes, dealing with thermal performance of insulation materials and envelope systems. Nevertheless, the envelope integrates within the building and this improvement on the insulation performance has to be properly adopted, taking into account the interrelation of main elements composing the overall system (facade, frame, slabs, openings, partitions etc.), as well as side effects originated not only for new erected buildings, but specifically in renovation and retrofitting works. This paper describes real experiences when considering various options for upgrading the facade through the increase of the insulation capacity, starting from external overcladding prefabricated panels and ventilated facades, advancing to more sustainable low carbon systems and ending with even more highly insulated solutions employing aerogels. Lessons from these cases, where energy and hygrothermal assessments have being carried out, demonstrate the influence of the design and construction phases and the relevance of disregarded effects such as minor thermal bridges, uncontrolled craftsmanship on site, and moisture transfer for the different technologies considered. Finally, possible alternatives are provided to overcome some of the detected difficulties, such as combination with non-metallic structural components and building membranes, and being prepared for future challenges and new developments when these isolative elements are combined with other technologies, as for example, renewable energy harvesting devices

Graph-Based methodology for Multi-Scale generation of energy analysis models from IFC

Process digitalisation and automation is unstoppable in all industries, including construction. However, its widespread adoption, even for non-experts, demands easy-to-use tools that reduce technical requirements. BIM to BEM (Building Energy Models) workflows are a clear example, where ad-hoc prepared models are needed. This paper describes a methodology, based on graph techniques, to automate it by highly reducing the input BIM requirements found in similar approaches, being applicable to almost any IFC. This is especially relevant in retrofitting, where reality capture tools (e.g., 3D laser scanning, object recognition in drawings) are prone to create geometry clashes and other inconsistencies, posing higher challenges for automation. Another innovation presented is its multi-scale nature, efficiently addressing the surroundings impact in the energy model. The application to selected test cases has been successful and further tests are ongoing, considering a higher variety of BIM models in relation to tools and techniques used and model sizes.The authors would like to express the gratitude to the European Commission by funding the research projects BIM4REN, EPCRECAST and ENSNARE (Grant Agreement No. 820773, 893118 and 958445, respectively), under the Horizon 2020 programme, where the presented work was conducted. This manuscript reflects only the authors’ views, and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains

NUEVO CONCEPTO DE COLECTOR SOLAR INTEGRADO EN UN PANEL SÁNDWICH A MODO DE FACHADA ACTIVA; ESTUDIO PARAMÉTRICO MEDIANTE CFD Y APLICACIÓN A UN CASO DE ESTUDIO

The use of renewable energy sources is a clear commitment in the process of developing alternatives to reduce the high energy consumption in buildings. Although with intermittent production, renewable energies are unlimited and have a demonstrated potential to be integrated within buildings. The facade is a key element in a strategic position for harnessing renewable solar energy by means of the Active Solar Façade concept. Through a CFD model, a parametric study has been developed to evaluate different alternatives in the design of an Active Solar Facade, composed by a sandwich panel as unglazed solar collector. The high influence of the conductivity together with the absorptivity has been demonstrated. Directly linked to the material selection for solving the absorber and the hydraulic circuit, the advantage of metals compared with plastics, has been verified. The minor effect of the insulation has also been analyzed, although the necessity of a minimum quantity has been stated looking to avoid significant heat losses. Additionally, the performance of the system has been evaluated in order to determine the potentially achievable energy. The result of the extensive campaign monitored in KUBIK® and developed in different days in a period of 12 months, has resulted in an average daily production of 320Wh / m2. This study highlights the potential benefits of this type of solutions and the necessity to properly dimension and design them. In such way it is aimed to contribute to a greater use of renewable energy in buildings, and consequently for reducing the use of fossil fuels, by means of alternatives that enable the mitigation of the climate change.The authors are grateful for the technical and human support provided by IZO-SGI SGIker of UPV/EHU and to the Basque Government, through the IT781-13 and IT1314-19 research groups and UPV/EHU through PES17/25. Finally thanks must be given to TECNALIA Research & Innovation for supporting this research through a cooperation agreement (PT10516) with UPV/EHU. The authors would also like to thank all those companies and researchers participating in the BASSE project for their strong involvement during that research. The BASSE project received funding from the European Union, RFCS Program, Research Fund for Coal and Steel project Building Active Steel Skin (BASSE, Grant Agreement no RFSR-CT2013-00026)

Challenges for Digitalisation in Building Renovation to Enhance the Efficiency of the Process: A Spanish Case Study

Although construction is one of the largest industries in the world, it is one of the least digitised and its productivity is still very low. Excesses of time and cost are common and are even more accentuated for building renovation. Recently, the building information modeling (BIM) methodology has strongly entered in the construction sector and appears to be an effective paradigm shift. Considering all of the previously mentioned aspects, this article addresses the identification and analysis of the critical barriers of renovation and the potential for digitalisation to overcome them using BIM. The methodology that was used is based on an open innovation approach called Living Labs, where consultations with the key stakeholders of the construction process aims for a higher digitalisation to focus on real needs and fitted to the user’s requirements. Starting from a worldwide survey, the analysis of the Spanish casuistry is deepened. From the analysis of barriers and opportunities, the necessary requirements for an optimal BIM application in renovation are highlighted. After identifying the key aspects that each stakeholder’ typology has considered as relevant, a set of key performance indicators have been selected, to monitor the improvements in the renovation process when BIM is adopted.This work has been developed within the project BIM4Ren. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon H2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 820773. This manuscript reflects only the author’s views and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains

Challenges for Digitalisation in Building Renovation to Enhance the Efficiency of the Process: A Spanish Case Study

Although construction is one of the largest industries in the world, it is one of the least digitised and its productivity is still very low. Excesses of time and cost are common and are even more accentuated for building renovation. Recently, the building information modeling (BIM) methodology has strongly entered in the construction sector and appears to be an effective paradigm shift. Considering all of the previously mentioned aspects, this article addresses the identification and analysis of the critical barriers of renovation and the potential for digitalisation to overcome them using BIM. The methodology that was used is based on an open innovation approach called Living Labs, where consultations with the key stakeholders of the construction process aims for a higher digitalisation to focus on real needs and fitted to the user’s requirements. Starting from a worldwide survey, the analysis of the Spanish casuistry is deepened. From the analysis of barriers and opportunities, the necessary requirements for an optimal BIM application in renovation are highlighted. After identifying the key aspects that each stakeholder’ typology has considered as relevant, a set of key performance indicators have been selected, to monitor the improvements in the renovation process when BIM is adopted.This work has been developed within the project BIM4Ren. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon H2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 820773. This manuscript reflects only the author’s views and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains

Fachadas solares termicamente activas mediante soluciones de panel sandwich en acero

318 p.El principal objetivo de la presente tesis es el de comprender y analizar las posibilidades de las fachadassolares como una alternativa viable en el ámbito de la edificación y de la eficiencia energética y, de formaexplícita, proponer, cuantificar y evaluar una solución concreta que, concebida para ser una soluciónbasada en la tecnología de paneles de fachada de acero, demuestre el potencial que tienen estassoluciones activas para ser consideradas como una propuesta fiable.Se trata, por tanto, de contribuir a ampliar el conocimiento de soluciones de fachadas solares como laplanteada, para las que la información y resultados disponibles resultan ser todavía escasos einsuficientes. La caracterización y cuantificación de los factores principales, como el rendimiento o laproducción solar aprovechable, son datos necesarios para que este tipo de desarrollos puedan serconsiderados como soluciones contrastadas y de utilidad, a fin de que puedan ser empleadas eincorporadas en los nuevos edificios y en aquellos que se pretende rehabilitar.El desarrollo de la tesis supone una aproximación progresiva y por fases, analizando la tecnologíapropuesta desde su concepción más básica, contemplando los materiales y elementos fundamentales quecomponen la fachada solar, hasta alcanzar la aplicación del conjunto activo en un edificio real.En esta tesis se demuestra que la tecnología de fachadas solares basada en soluciones sándwich ligeras deacero, es una alternativa competitiva y viable que, junto con otras tecnologías, como las bombas de calor,ofrecen una contribución muy significativa para mejorar el rendimiento energético de los edificios

Fachadas solares termicamente activas mediante soluciones de panel sandwich en acero

318 p.El principal objetivo de la presente tesis es el de comprender y analizar las posibilidades de las fachadassolares como una alternativa viable en el ámbito de la edificación y de la eficiencia energética y, de formaexplícita, proponer, cuantificar y evaluar una solución concreta que, concebida para ser una soluciónbasada en la tecnología de paneles de fachada de acero, demuestre el potencial que tienen estassoluciones activas para ser consideradas como una propuesta fiable.Se trata, por tanto, de contribuir a ampliar el conocimiento de soluciones de fachadas solares como laplanteada, para las que la información y resultados disponibles resultan ser todavía escasos einsuficientes. La caracterización y cuantificación de los factores principales, como el rendimiento o laproducción solar aprovechable, son datos necesarios para que este tipo de desarrollos puedan serconsiderados como soluciones contrastadas y de utilidad, a fin de que puedan ser empleadas eincorporadas en los nuevos edificios y en aquellos que se pretende rehabilitar.El desarrollo de la tesis supone una aproximación progresiva y por fases, analizando la tecnologíapropuesta desde su concepción más básica, contemplando los materiales y elementos fundamentales quecomponen la fachada solar, hasta alcanzar la aplicación del conjunto activo en un edificio real.En esta tesis se demuestra que la tecnología de fachadas solares basada en soluciones sándwich ligeras deacero, es una alternativa competitiva y viable que, junto con otras tecnologías, como las bombas de calor,ofrecen una contribución muy significativa para mejorar el rendimiento energético de los edificios

Design Strategies for an Effective Implementation of Solar Harvesting Façades into Pre-Existing HVAC Systems in Buildings Renovation

Publisher Copyright: © 2024 University of Split, FESB.Building renovation plays a key role on the path to low-carbon economy, yet the increasing complexity and cost of decarbonization strategies to reach nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB) is a major challenge that hinders the potential of retrofitting the existing building stock. Multifunctional façade solutions appear as a feasible solution on this regard. This paper presents a novel methodology conceived to serve as a standardized approach for an effective implementation of solar harvesting-multifunctional façades into pre-existing HVAC systems in buildings renovation. The design strategies presented consider users' needs, different renovation scenarios and operation possibilities while ensuring an optimal use of renewable energy sources. The methodology is supported on building simulation and applied to a real case study, including pre-sizing and evaluation of different configurations to optimize the solar production and the thermal storage. The work shows a number of constraints and limitations that must be effectively addressed, ensuring the user's needs as well as the efficient operation of all systems, both existing and new. Main constrains encountered on the integration process are building geometry, user priorities, and the pre-existence of an HVAC system, being a central thermal storage system selected as the preferred solution for the integration with the pre-existing installation while optimizing solar fraction through an adequate building management strategy. The methodology is successfully applied in a demo-case on Tartu, demonstrating the capacity for integrating the solutions on existing HVAC configuration, with a potential reduction of up to 21 tons of annual GHG emissions.Peer reviewe

Data-driven and LCA-based Framework for environmental and circular assessment of Modular Curtain Walls

Publisher Copyright: © 2024 TU Delft. All rights reserved.To assist the sustainable development of the building sector, designers require tools illustrating the most viable design options. This paper, starting by presenting the opportunities and limitations of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and Digital Product Passport (DPP) instrument when applied to Custom Modules for Curtain Walls, proposes a Semantic Data-driven Framework to facilitate the design of low-carbon and circular façade modules. Based on literature and the practical outcome of the H2020 project Basajaun, this framework integrates computer-aided technologies that manufacturing companies commonly employ to automate an efficient sustainability assessment process using primary data. This solution innovates industrial process management and architectural design and supports the creation of greener products. It also facilitates the output of documents supporting end-of-life scenarios. The development methodology involves investigating required quantitative project data, environmental factors, and circularity information, as well as the definition of flowcharts for the Life Cycle Inventory, extending a best practice for the façade module's DPP. Furthermore, the methodology implicates data collection and IT implementation and organisation. This is through the definition of an ontology conceived for interconnection between digital systems. The findings shall contribute to implementing the LCA and DPP practices for custom prefabricated façade modules and suggest areas for further development. Challenges include obtaining and sharing data on environmental impacts and circularity, but involving stakeholders and addressing technical limitations can improve sustainability.Peer reviewe

Data-driven and LCA-based Framework for environmental and circular assessment of Modular Curtain Walls

To assist the sustainable development of the building sector, designers require tools illustrating the most viable design options. This paper, starting by presenting the opportunities and limitations of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and Digital Product Passport (DPP) instrument when applied to Custom Modules for Curtain Walls, proposes a Semantic Data-driven Framework to facilitate the design of low-carbon and circular façade modules. Based on literature and the practical outcome of the H2020 project Basajaun, this framework integrates computer-aided technologies that manufacturing companies commonly employ to automate an efficient sustainability assessment process using primary data. This solution innovates industrial process management and architectural design and supports the creation of greener products. It also facilitates the output of documents supporting end-of-life scenarios. The development methodology involves investigating required quantitative project data, environmental factors, and circularity information, as well as the definition of flowcharts for the Life Cycle Inventory, extending a best practice for the façade module’s DPP. Furthermore, the methodology implicates data collection and IT implementation and organisation. This is through the definition of an ontology conceived for interconnection between digital systems. The findings shall contribute to implementing the LCA and DPP practices for custom prefabricated façade modules and suggest areas for further development. Challenges include obtaining and sharing data on environmental impacts and circularity, but involving stakeholders and addressing technical limitations can improve sustainability