Solar Energy, Vol.81, No.8, 993-1013, 2007
Experimental assessment of the performance of an active transparent facade during actual operating conditions
Results of an extensive measurement campaign performed on an active transparent facade during actual operating conditions are presented. The main aims of the research were: to assess the actual facade performance, both in terms of energy savings and enhanced comfort conditions, to obtain more detailed knowledge of its thermofluid dynamic behaviour and to highlight the weak points of this relatively new technology that still requires further improvement. The analysed component consists of a transparent mechanically ventilated facade integrated with an HVAC system. The facade is used as the exhaust outlet of the HVAC system. The temperatures, heat fluxes and air velocities in the ventilated facade were continuously monitored, over a period of 2 years, using a monitoring system with 34 sensors. In the paper, attention is focused on the measurement techniques that were adopted and on the critical analysis of the experimental data. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords:transparent ventilated facade;energy saving;head load reduction;thermal comfort;experimental data;field monitoring