Exploring the Robustness of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics Renovation Scenarios to Climate Change Perspectives: Results for a multi-family building in the Swiss context

Building renovation is one of the main strategies put forth in western countries, where energy regulations are becoming increasingly demanding. Switzerland for example has set the ambitious target aiming at carbon neutrality for 2050. Building-integrated photovoltaic systems, functioning both as envelope material and on-site electricity generator, have the potential to strongly contribute towards these objectives. When designers consider the fulfilment of the 2050 objectives, the question of the robustness of the design decisions to the different climate change (CC) scenarios appears. Designing today, but taking into account climate evolution pathways, is a new challenge that architects must face. Based on publications from the IPCC, we know that CC effects, characterized by global warming, are already visible. In this context, we must learn to design by integrating uncertainty related to CC. One way to take these changes into account is the use of artificial weather files representing different possible scenarios. Focusing on the energy performance of a multi-family building, this article compares the results obtained for a series of BIPV renovation variants based on three IPCC scenarios. Despite the impact on the energy performance, results show no contradiction with respect to the strategies designed using the typical meteorological year scenario.

Benefits of a translucent building envelope made of DSC-integrated glass blocks

Luisa Pastore

The aim of this paper is to analyse the benefits deriving from the replacement of the glazed façades of an office building located in Palermo (Sicily) with a new translucent BIPV envelope made of multifunctional glass block panels integrated with Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs). The analysed 11-storey building is cladded by a curtain wall determining high management costs, especially during summer, in order to maintain indoor comfort. After the design of the building envelope and of the components for the connection of the glass block panels with existing load bearing structure, the energy performance of the building, before and after the replacement of its envelope, were analysed with the support of Design Builder software. Other software tools – like Therm, Window and Optics – were used to calculate more in detail the thermal properties of the building envelope. The results of the energy performance simulations on the current state were compared with those deriving from the installation of the new envelope made of BIPV glass block panels. Besides the clean electricity production, a significant reduction in building energy consumption related to air conditioning systems was registered, due to the shading effect and solar gain reduction provided by the DSC-integrated glass blocks.

Economic Forum2015

ACTIVE INTERFACES. Holistic design strategies for renovation projects with buildingintegrated photovoltaics (BIPV): case study from the 1900s in Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

Sergi Aguacil Moreno, Sophie Lufkin

As the majority of buildings that will exist in 2050 are already built, with many of them having a low level of energy performance, urban renewal processes play an essential role towards the sustainable development of cities. In this context, BIPV systems can potentially provide a crucial response to the energy turnaround targets. Functioning both as envelope material and electricity generator, they can simultaneously reduce the use of fossil fuels and GHG emissions while providing savings in materials and electricity costs. Focusing on the architectural design, this paper presents the results of a multi-criteria evaluation in terms of Life-Cycle Assessment and Cost of different renovation scenarios, integrating into the design process: (1) Passive strategies, to improve the envelope through low-embodied energy materials and construction systems; (2) BIPV strategies, using innovative photovoltaic products as a new construction material for façades and roofs; (3) Active strategies, adapting HVAC systems to improve their efficiency by maximizing the consumption of the energy produced on-site. The research methodology presented in this paper, through a representative case study of an archetypal building from the 1900s in Neuchâtel (Switzerland), proposes a new way to address rehabilitation projects of existing buildings in urban environments. The main outcome provides - to architects and engineers - advanced BIPV renovation strategies depending on the building typology, the architectural design goals, and the level of intervention (conservation, renovation or transformation).

2017

Influence of energy-use scenarios in Life-Cycle Analysis of renovation projects with Building-Integrated Photovoltaics – Investigation through two case studies in Neuchâtel (Switzerland)

Sergi Aguacil Moreno, Sophie Lufkin

Since tomorrow’s cities are already largely built, and as many of their buildings – with a low level of energy performance – will still be standing in 2050, urban renewal processes play an essential role towards the sustainable development of European cities. In this context, Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems can potentially provide a crucial response for achieving long-term carbon targets. Functioning both as envelope material and on-site electricity generator, they can simultaneously reduce the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. Focusing on the architectural design, this paper presents the results of a multi-criteria evaluation in terms of Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Cost (LCC) of different renovation and energy-use scenarios. The goal is to identify which strategies can allow to achieve the ambitious targets for the 2050 horizon by integrating into the design process: 1) Passive strategies, to improve the envelope through low-embodied energy materials and construction systems; 2) BIPV strategies, using innovative photovoltaic products as a new material for façades and roofs; and 3) Active strategies, adapting HVAC systems to improve the efficiency of the BIPV installation and reducing the dependence on the feed-in-tariffs to ensure the profitability of investments. An emphasis is placed on testing the impact of a proposed selection process of BIPV surfaces in order to maximise self-consumption and self-sufficiency, evaluating the effect of electricity storage systems with and without the possibility of injecting the overproduction into the grid. Our methodology and results are presented through the comparison of two real case studies in Neuchâtel (Switzerland). Proposing a new approach to address renovation projects of existing buildings in the urban context towards Low Carbon Buildings, the outcomes provide architects and engineers with advanced BIPV renovation strategies depending on the building typology, the architectural design goals and the level of intervention.

H. Elsharkawy, S. Zahiri, J. Clough2017

Influence of energy-use scenarios in Life-Cycle Analysis of renovation projects with Building-Integrated Photovoltaics – Investigation through two case studies in Neuchâtel (Switzerland)

Sergi Aguacil Moreno, Sophie Lufkin

H. Elsharkawy, S. Zahiri, J. Clough2017