Solar Thermal Energy Conversion and Photovoltaics in a Multifunctional Facade

Bernd Windholz (Speaker), Christoph Zauner, Marcus Rennhofer, H. Schranzhofer

Research output: Chapter in Book or Conference ProceedingsConference Proceedings with Oral Presentationpeer-review

Abstract

Beyond constructing buildings with very small demands of energy out of non-renewable sources, cf. passive house standard, more and more buildings with even no demand of these sources are erected, so-called energy-plus-buildings. Therefore, renewable energy sources, such as biomass, geothermal, solar thermal or photovoltaics are directly used in family houses, offices and industrial buildings, thus converting more renewable energy than consumed for heating, cooling and electricity. By integrating renewable energy systems into buildings requirements of architects, system planners, manufacturers, building companies and end-users must be taken into consideration. Sound energetic design, ease of fabrication, proper functionality and architectural quality must be ensured over the whole life-span of decades. The Austrian research project "Multifunctional Plug & Play Façade" (MPPF) treats the building envelope as an active part of the building. The conversion of various renewable energy sources is integrated directly into the façade. In addition, heating and cooling out of the façade as well as ensuring a suitable indoor climate is developed. Our consortium, consisting of façade builders, system planners and manufacturers as well as research institutes, entangles the various interest groups right from the beginning. In the second year of the five years lasting MPPF-project the first demonstration façade was installed in Stallhofen near Graz (Austria) including innovative solar thermal collectors (ST) and photovoltaic modules (PV). In order to study the energetic behaviour of the various technologies as well as the influence of single functional façade elements on the building core an intensive monitoring was set up. Important building physical aspects, such as temperature loads, moisture content, and heat transfer were recorded via temperature, humidity and heat flux sensors at various positions. Analysis of the energy yield of ST collectors was done via mass flow meters and temperature sensors, the energy yield of PV modules was detected by their short circuit current. Measurements of the ambient conditions, such as solar radiation, wind speed, wind direction and outside temperature complemented the monitoring. In addition to the very concept as well as the installed demonstration façade itself we show continuous monitoring results starting from June 2010 covering the periods of low-standing sun, most important for these façade modules.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of CISBAT 2011
Pages87-92
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - 2011
EventCISBAT 2011 -
Duration: 14 Sept 201116 Sept 2011

Conference

ConferenceCISBAT 2011
Period14/09/1116/09/11

Research Field

  • Former Research Field - Energy

Keywords

  • RHC

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