Laboratory Testing of Small Scale Solar Facade Module with Phase Change Material and Adjustable Insulation Layer

Ruta Vanaga, Jānis Narbuts, Ritvars Freimanis and Andra Blumberga
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Ruta Vanaga: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Jānis Narbuts: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Ritvars Freimanis: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Andra Blumberga: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: Active building envelopes that act as energy converters—gathering on-site available renewable energy and converting it to thermal energy or electricity—is a promising technological design niche to reduce energy consumption in the building sector, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and thus tackle climate change challenges. This research adds scientific knowledge in the field of composite building envelope structures containing phase-change materials for thermal energy storage. In this study, the focus lies on the cooling phase of the diurnal gain and release of solar energy. The experimental setup imitates day and night environment. Six alterations of small-scale solar facade modules are tested in two different configurations—with and without the adjustable insulation layer on their outer surface during the discharging phase. Modules explore combinations of aerogel, air gap, and Fresnel lenses for solar energy concentration. The results allow us to compare the impact of the application of an additional insulation layer at “night” for different designs of solar facade modules. The results show that modules with an air gap provide higher heat gains but do not take full advantage of the latent heat capacity of phase-change materials.

Keywords: active building envelope; building energy efficiency; Fresnel lens; nearly zero-energy buildings; solar concentrator; solar thermal energy storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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