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The development of a monolithic aerogel glazed window for an energy retrofitting project

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  • Berardi, Umberto

Abstract

The implementation of innovative materials for energy saving is a main focus in the building sector. In this context, aerogels are often indicated as really promising materials. In particular, aerogel blankets have already shown potential in many retrofitting projects while the development of glazing systems with aerogel is still at the research stage. This paper describes the development of double pane glazing systems with monolithic silica aerogel in their cavity. The results of a multi-disciplinary analysis, including thermal and lighting tests, are reported. This new monolithic aerogel window is then used in the retrofitting project of an educational building completed in the 1960s. A level 3 energy audit was conducted through measurements of the envelope transmissibility, the building air-tightness, and several indoor environmental parameters. The energy audit provided data for an accurate energy model and to perform a detailed analysis of the energy consumptions of the building. Several energy saving measures for the case study building were then investigated. Lighting and energy simulations allowed comparisons of different designs of the aerogel window with the intent to guarantee sufficient daylight, clear perception of the external environment, and high energy saving. Finally, this paper provides a sensitivity analysis of the investigated retrofitting strategies in different climates, with the intent to show where aerogel windows may represent a valuable retrofitting choice.

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  • Berardi, Umberto, 2015. "The development of a monolithic aerogel glazed window for an energy retrofitting project," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 603-615.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:154:y:2015:i:c:p:603-615
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.05.059
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Pacheco-Torgal, F., 2017. "High tech startup creation for energy efficient built environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 618-629.
    4. Berardi, Umberto & Nosrati, Roya Hamideh, 2018. "Long-term thermal conductivity of aerogel-enhanced insulating materials under different laboratory aging conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 1188-1202.
    5. Ghosh, Aritra & Norton, Brian, 2018. "Advances in switchable and highly insulating autonomous (self-powered) glazing systems for adaptive low energy buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 1003-1031.
    6. Villasmil, Willy & Fischer, Ludger J. & Worlitschek, Jörg, 2019. "A review and evaluation of thermal insulation materials and methods for thermal energy storage systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 71-84.
    7. Mazzeo, D. & Oliveti, G. & Arcuri, N., 2016. "Influence of internal and external boundary conditions on the decrement factor and time lag heat flux of building walls in steady periodic regime," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 509-531.
    8. Zhou, Yuekuan, 2022. "A multi-stage supervised learning optimisation approach on an aerogel glazing system with stochastic uncertainty," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    9. Xie, Jing Chao & Xue, Peng & Mak, Cheuk Ming & Liu, Jia Ping, 2017. "Balancing energy and daylighting performances for envelope design: A new index and proposition of a case study in Hong Kong," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 13-22.
    10. Chen, Youming & Xiao, Yaling & Zheng, Siqian & Liu, Yang & Li, Yupeng, 2018. "Dynamic heat transfer model and applicability evaluation of aerogel glazing system in various climates of China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1115-1124.
    11. Chong, Kok-Keong & Onubogu, Nneka Obianuju & Yew, Tiong-Keat & Wong, Chee-Woon & Tan, Woei-Chong, 2017. "Design and construction of active daylighting system using two-stage non-imaging solar concentrator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 45-60.
    12. Yang Guan & Yonghong Yan, 2016. "Daylighting Design in Classroom Based on Yearly-Graphic Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-17, July.
    13. Zhao, Xinpeng & Mofid, Sohrab Alex & Jelle, Bjørn Petter & Tan, Gang & Yin, Xiaobo & Yang, Ronggui, 2020. "Optically-switchable thermally-insulating VO2-aerogel hybrid film for window retrofits," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    14. Liu, Yang & Lu, Lin & Chen, Youming & Lu, Bin, 2020. "Investigation on the optical and energy performances of different kinds of monolithic aerogel glazing systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    15. Zhiqiang Wang & Qi Tian & Jie Jia, 2021. "Numerical Study on Performance Optimization of an Energy-Saving Insulated Window," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-25, January.
    16. Xie, Peng & Jin, Lu & Qiao, Geng & Lin, Cheng & Barreneche, Camila & Ding, Yulong, 2022. "Thermal energy storage for electric vehicles at low temperatures: Concepts, systems, devices and materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    17. Liu, Yang & Chen, Youming & Lu, Lin & Peng, Jinqing & Zheng, Dongmei & Lu, Bin, 2023. "Optical path model and energy performance optimization of aerogel glazing system filled with aerogel granules," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    18. Zhou, Yuekuan & Zheng, Siqian, 2020. "Stochastic uncertainty-based optimisation on an aerogel glazing building in China using supervised learning surrogate model and a heuristic optimisation algorithm," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 810-826.
    19. Zhou, Yuekuan & Zheng, Siqian, 2020. "Climate adaptive optimal design of an aerogel glazing system with the integration of a heuristic teaching-learning-based algorithm in machine learning-based optimization," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 375-391.
    20. Sun, Yanyi & Wilson, Robin & Wu, Yupeng, 2018. "A Review of Transparent Insulation Material (TIM) for building energy saving and daylight comfort," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 713-729.
    21. Cuce, Erdem & Cuce, Pinar Mert, 2016. "Vacuum glazing for highly insulating windows: Recent developments and future prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1345-1357.
    22. Paulos, Jason & Berardi, Umberto, 2020. "Optimizing the thermal performance of window frames through aerogel-enhancements," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    23. Mary K. Carroll & Ann M. Anderson & Sri Teja Mangu & Zineb Hajjaj & Margeaux Capron, 2022. "Aesthetic Aerogel Window Design for Sustainable Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, March.

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