Thermoelectric system applications in buildings: A review of key factors and control methods

A low coefficient of performance (COP) limits the development of thermoelectric (TE) systems in buildings. However, considering their good integration with solar systems and budling structures, there is good application potential for TE systems in buildings. In many previous works, control systems indeed help TE systems to improve their performance. Therefore, the objective of this work is to analyze and summarize key factors in the control process and control methods for designing and optimizing the control systems for TE systems in buildings. This work reviews relevant publications from 2000 to 2022 on control applications of TE systems in different fields and groups them into key factors and control methods. The analysis of the key factors indicates the power strength of Peltier cells, the number of working Peltier cells, the temperature difference between the cold and hot sides, and the temperature difference between the object side and the indoor space as significant factors. Additionally, the most relevant control methods for the operating voltage or current are also classified. It is crucial to appropriately adjust these key factors using suitable control methods to achieve improved COP. Regarding the control application of TE systems in buildings, this is an issue that has not been studied with specific attention. Therefore, the analysis of key factors and control methods is meaningful for control systems to improve the performance of TE systems in buildings, especially under dynamic operating conditions of the built environment

Heat Kit: Creación de un prototipo para `tocar´ el calor

[EN] The understanding of heat transfer processes and its affection in buildings is one of the difficulties that the students of architecture have to face when receiving building services courses knowledge, specifically in those related to hygrothermal conditioning. In a simplified form, it can be said that they must internalise the existence of a heat source, a machine that transfers the heat and an element that absorbs or dissipates the heat in the rooms. The traditional solution of master classes, visits to real facilities… had a demonstrated effectiveness in the past, however, they fail transferring the implications of thermodynamics in their complexity. The teaching innovation project entitled "Heatkit – Creation of a prototype to 'touch' the heat", which is the origin of these text, expects that the students of architecture can feel the heat transfer with the construction of a simple and easily replicable thermoelectric prototype.[ES] Una de las dificultades de los alumnos de Arquitectura en las asignaturas de instalaciones y concretamente en las que reciben conocimientos de acondicionamiento higrotérmico, es comprender los procesos de transferencia de calor y sus afecciones en el edificio. De forma simplificada, puede decirse que deben interiorizar que existe una fuente de energía, una máquina que transfiere el calor y un elemento que toma calor, o lo cede, en los locales. Las soluciones tradicionales de clases magistrales, visitas a instalaciones reales…han demostrado su efectividad en el pasado, sin embargo, no consiguen trasladar en su complejidad las implicaciones de la termodinámica. Lo que pretende el proyecto de innovación docente titulado ”Heatkit - Creación de un prototipo para ‘tocar' el calor”, origen de este texto, es que los alumnos de Arquitectura, puedan sentir la transferencia de calor con la creación de un prototipo termoeléctrico sencillo y fácilmente replicable.Queremos agradecer el apoyo provisto por el proyecto BIA2013-46463- del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación del Gobierno de España y el proyecto 0011-1365-2016-000289 del Gobierno de Navarra.Martín Gómez, C.; Ibañez Puy, E.; Zuazua Ros, A. (2018). Heat Kit: Creación de un prototipo para `tocar´ el calor. En IN-RED 2018. IV Congreso Nacional de Innovación Educativa y Docencia en Red. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 517-528. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2018.2018.8591OCS51752

Análisis de la ocupación real en un edificio como factor de ahorro: el caso Adapt4ee

La ocupación real en los edificios es objeto de estudio en diversos campos de investigación entre los que se encuentra la disminución de la demanda energética. En este marco se sitúa el proyecto europeo Adapt4ee - Occupant Aware, Intelligent and Adaptive Enterprises el cual, mediante la integración de los datos de la arquitectura (BIM) y los modelos de proceso de negocio (BPM), ha desarrollado una herramienta de simulación capaz de relacionar el comportamiento energético del edificio con los procesos de negocio, teniendo en cuenta la conducta de los ocupantes. Los actuales softwares de simulación energética consideran la ocupación de los edificios mediante la aplicación de plantillas prediseñadas para diferentes usos de edificios. Sin embargo, el equipo de ingenieros informáticos y arquitectos del proyecto han implementado una serie de perfiles de uso más próximos al comportamiento humano real. Con estos antecedentes, desde el proyecto Adapt4ee se ha analizado y evaluado el comportamiento en tiempo real de los ocupantes en relación con los consumos eléctricos y térmicos, mediante la monitorización de dos edificios en uso. Esta ponencia, por tanto, mostrará los resultados referentes a la ocupación extraídos de simulaciones, del estudio del proceso de negocio y de los datos reales obtenidos

Workshop International Seminar in Building Energy Performance como herramienta de difusión de un software de ahorro de energía en el ámbito universitario

La herramienta informática desarrollada en el proyecto de investigación de la Unión Europa Adapt4EE está enfocada a arquitectos e ingenieros implicados en el proceso de diseño y uso de energía en edificios. Es por ello que se plantea desde el inicio el testado de la herramienta por parte de futuros usuarios, en este caso estudiantes de último curso de arquitectura e ingeniería, para obtener así de primera mano su análisis y valoración. Esta ponencia trata de mostrar el proceso de evaluación llevado a cabo por parte del equipo de Adapt4EE para testar el software final del proyecto a través del Workshop International Seminar in Building Energy Performance realizado durante el año 2014. De este modo, se aportan datos que avalan la importancia de la introducción de este tipo de herramientas de integración entre investigación y empresas en los modelos educativos universitarios

Methodology for quantification of exhaled pollutant emissions in residential buildings

[ES] It is known that indoor air is affected by outdoor air, thanks to the various studies that have been conducted in this area, the causes can be varied, from infiltration of buildings, natural or mechanical ventilation. Although it is known that transportation is one of the major contributors to this problem, studies have concluded that there is a proportion of pollutants coming from 'non-specific sources of human origin', all this emphasizes the importance of identifying and quantifying the sources of air pollution.The intention of this research project, is to characterize and quantify the pollutants that are emitted from residential buildings through their ventilation systems, and how such exhalation affects urban air quality both outdoors and, through recapture, indoors.The design of a viable methodology for monitoring two residential buildings in Pamplona (Spain) has been proposed, involving aspects such as the extension of the city where the buildings selected for the project are located, their typology, the areas destined for the ventilation systems, the equipment chosen for the quantification of pollutants and the procedure to be followed. All this procedure represents the core of the monitoring process.Thanks to this methodology, the researchers intend to present results of the quantification of pollutants such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Methane (CH4), Particulate Matter (PM), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), resulting from the exhalation of residential buildings. These results are the foundation for demonstrating how residential buildings can become another source of pollution for urban environments.The Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for funding the research project ‘Quantifying pollutants originated by the exhalation of buildings in urban environments’n. PID2019-104083RB-I00.Manzueta Felix, R.; Martín-Gómez, C.; Zuazua-Ros, A.; Ramos González, J.; De Brito Andrade, L.; Ariño, A. (2023). Methodology for quantification of exhaled pollutant emissions in residential buildings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 174-183. https://doi.org/10.4995/VIBRArch2022.2022.1517217418

Active aluminum window-frame integrated prototype with a thermoelectric heat recovery system for ventilation and air conditioning

[EN] Research interest in the integration of thermoelectric systems in the building envelope have increased during the last years. Studies show that regardless of a low COP compared to vapor compression systems; thermoelectric systems present other remarkable features for heating, cooling and ventilation on buildings. Among those studies, a few prototype experiences incorporate thermoelectric systems on windows.Alternatively, standard air conditioning systems often require additional equipment installed on façade or wall surfaces that compromise the use of space in the case of building refurbishment. Thus, the integration of thermoelectric systems on window framing is presented here as a decentralized alternative for air conditioning support, whose performance aims at balancing out the heat losses in windows. The purpose of this communication is to present the development of an active aluminum window-framing prototype with a thermoelectric heat recovery system for heating and cooling. In a typical single-floor house scenario, the active window-frame works in two different modes: pre heating/cooling mode applying forced convection through a mechanical fan and pre heating/cooling mode with natural convection. The impulsion airflow rate meets ventilation requirements according to Spanish Technical Building Code (CTE) for indoor air quality.This communication has been possible thanks to the research project “Thermoelectricity applied to active aluminum windows for the thermal conditioning of spaces ThermAL”, funded by the Government of Navarra in the R&D 2021 call (code: 0011-1365-2021-000000) The prototype is being developed in partnership between Hydro Extrusion Spain S.A.U. and Universidad de Navarra.Arias-Salazar, PS.; Vidaurre Arbizu, M.; Sacristán-Fernández, JA.; Martín-Gómez, C.; Couso-San Martín, JR.; Fernández-Heras, J.; Zuazua-Ros, A. (2023). Active aluminum window-frame integrated prototype with a thermoelectric heat recovery system for ventilation and air conditioning. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 210-217. https://doi.org/10.4995/VIBRArch2022.2022.1524821021

Rediseño de la integración de energía en edificios a partir de Metabolismos Animales: Proyecto RiMA

Los edificios pueden entenderse como una clase especial de máquina que, en términos de acondicionamiento higrotérmico, se encienden y se apagan, manteniendo una temperatura estable en relación a las actividades que albergan en su interior, en una estrategia similar a la que ofrecen los animales de 'sangre caliente'. Existen numerosas estrategias pasivas en la arquitectura que permiten un control efectivo de los condicionantes interiores de los edificios dentro de los niveles de habitabilidad humana. Del mismo modo, el mundo animal posee diversos métodos de control térmico activo como el atún con su sistema rete mirabile, las abejas controlando la temperatura de la colmena o el gusano de seda regulando la temperatura y controlando los gases dentro de su crisálida. El proyecto que se describe explora nuevas estrategias de diseño de los sistemas energéticos y de instalaciones de los edificios, a partir del análisis crítico de los sistemas metabólicos de los denominados animales de 'sangre fría'. Se plantea, por tanto, una reevaluación del paradigma establecido en la metodología de concepción de los sistemas energéticos e instalaciones en los edificios, con una visión aproximativa desde otra área del saber

Comparative analysis of heat dissipation panels for a hybrid cooling system integrated in buildings

The use of cooling panels as heat dissipation elements integrated in buildings has been previously investigated by the authors. Those elements would be connected to the condenser and would dissipate the heat in a passive form. Following the research, this study analyses and compares the thermal performance of two heat dissipation panels as part of a hybrid cooling system. Both panels were experimentally tested under different variables, thus having nine scenarios for each panel. Additionally, an already validated model was applied. The empirical results show a considerable difference between the cooling capacity among them, doubling the daily average ratio in one scenario. The heat dissipation ratios vary between 106 and 227 W/m2 in the first case and 140 and 413 W/m2 in the second. Regarding the model applicability, the average error for each panel was 4.0% and 8.5%. The bond between the metal sheet and the pipes of the panels has proven to be the main parameter to assure the highest heat dissipation potential of each panel