Network Strategy Report - Solar Technologies

2. Network Strategy Report - Solar Technologies • Ongoing building sector changes: social and economic factors • 10% of total energy for heating and DHW now from solar energy • Energy technologies: • mature, available, economic • technologies under development • technology gaps, future research priorities • Exemplars: good energy technologies + good architecture • Exemplars: reinforce public appreciation of benefits • Retrofit market: new buildings only 1% - 2% of building stock • Residential sector: • benefits for single family housing are clear • potential in large scale residential is large - needs emphasis

3. Network Strategy Report - Solar Technologies • Rising electricity demand - especially in commercial buildings • Construction costs of ‘lean’ (low energy heating, cooling, and daylighting) buildings comparable with conventional • Design costs will fall as experience is gained • Local / regional initiatives: • sustainability policies • balanced spatial planning, mix of uses, public transport • district heating, cooling • exemplary, energy-efficient public buildings • European Union • EU-wide action plan • legislative changes trigger surges in technology uptake

4. Network Strategy Report - Solar Technologies • Bench-marking • building codes that reflect environmental costs • district level targets - flexibility in options for compliance • Quality control • building codes provide rules but don’t define reality - Q.C. needed • emphasis on actual performance rather than systems installed • provide feedback on performance and facilitate comparison with predicted performance and with other buildings • which concepts work best and why? • Further research • Retrofitting

5. Network Strategy Report - Solar Technologies • Further research • research not limited to improving what already works • research of new solutions is essential - free from market pressures • public funding needed for basic research to broaden future options • industry / research centre dialogue essential without dependency • Retrofitting • most buildings outlive the times and shortcomings of their creator • changes in building sector take time to show effect • cost effective integration of energy measures during refurbishment • legislative and financing measures needed

6. Network Strategy Report - Lighting • Few, multi-national firms produce most lamps in large factories • Publicly funded research has little impact • Legislation can increase demand for high efficiency lighting • Lamps for buildings: • halogen and incandescent - poor efficiencies, short life spans • tubular fluorescent: T5 + electronic ballast considered most efficient • high pressure sodium: less efficient but good in some applications • CFL: efficient alternative to incandescent - special optics needed • Developments anticipated in: • Light Emitting Diodes, metal halide lamps • Luminaires: efficiencies of 75% (85% with high reflection optics) • Large savings possible with good lighting design

7. Network Strategy Report - Lighting • Daylighting costs: in design, spec., const. of windows / spaces • Glazing size, type: energy balance: heating, cooling, lighting • Advanced glazing, shading, design of internal spaces • Major barriers to good daylighting: • lack of awareness by clients, occupants • low direct financial benefits • long pay-back periods with some solutions • few design teams able to achieve optimal daylighting design

8. Network Strategy Report - Lighting • Challenges: • high efficiency task lighting 600 lx on desk + luminance control • user-friendly automated controls with override • well adapted solar shading to give needed luminance + daylight • façade systems for glare control and good daylight penetration • roof systems with integrated solar protection

9. Network Strategy Report - Lighting • Design support: • daylighting simulation software adapted to CAD • daylighting databases - materials, climatic data • detailed design information from glazing, component manufacturers • Stimulation of demand: • definition of ‘reasonable standards’ for lighting power, consumption • exemplars of high quality, low energy solutions

10. Network Strategy Report - Lighting • Most impressive progress to date: • development of high efficiency lamps by multi-national companies • client awareness in some markets (Germany, Switzerland, etc.) • Future high efficiency solutions depend on: • ability of lighting, window component industries to demonstrate energy and amenity benefits • closer liaison between researchers and manufacturers to identify best technologies / techniques and promote benefits

11. Network Strategy Report - Mech. Heating + Cooling • Components: • recent focus on cost and energy efficiency • trend towards packaged, pre-tested equipment (esp. ventilation) • heat recovery now commonplace • high efficiency condensing gas boilers now standard • heat pumps: technology advancing, new refrigerants needed • Future lies in integrating components into efficient systems • Systems: • all elements that influence internal climate - façade to mech. plant • emphasis varies with climatic conditions

12. Network Strategy Report - Mech. Heating + Cooling • Future development: • use of ventilation systems likely to increase with need for greater IAQ, especially in urban areas. • limited information available on low pressure heat loss recovery systems and the behaviour of filters at reduced face velocity • Health: • IAQ and particulate filtration likely to gain momentum • research into harmful effects of particulates (size, etc) needed • Sustainability: • ground water heat pumps for cooling • water conservation / reuse

13. Network Strategy Report - Mech. Heating + Cooling • Summary: • Focus on integrated systems • Feedback on installations and lessons learnt • Low pressure systems • Health guidelines • Ground source cooling and water conservation

14. Network Strategy Report - PV in Buildings • PV in second decade: • many examples show good functionality and building integration • potential for prestigious applications and simpler roof applications • wide range of products available • Current trends: • power supply issues are main focus - less emphasis on BIPV • 100,000 roofs and guaranteed PV electricity prices successful • similar actions in NL, CH, Italy, but further coordination needed • roof mounted PV market is more important that PV facades • Much development needed to achieve commercial products

15. Network Strategy Report - PV in Buildings • Conclusions: • much development in high quality BIPV is still needed • strong trend in pre-fabricated BIPV in several Member States • many marketing strategies tried but little coordination • main focus is on safety, performance - little in building integration • Future RTD needs: • guidelines / requirements on functional and aesthetic integration • LCA, eco-performance (energy and material balance) • costs and performance of whole chain from cell to grid connection • improved, innovative PV roofing technology; better marketing • cell and module technology for low cost manufacturing • cost reductions; links with other RTD projects worldwide

16. Network Strategy Report - Building Components • Windows and facades: • major developments is past decade in thermal, light transmission performance and time-variable properties (switchable glazing, etc) • shift in focus from winter comfort to indoor climate and energy • change from poorly performing elements to advanced components • integrated design - working in harmony with HVAC, lighting • major new opportunities in indoor climate and energy performance • Other components: • less spectacular development in energy performance generally • exceptions: vacuum insulation, elimination of conventional house heating systems - greater emphasis on building skin performance

17. Network Strategy Report - Building Components • The market: • wide range of window and façade systems, products • uptake varies widely across EU but different from 10 years ago • marginal uptake of variable glazing, hybrid PV - due to cost • Future challenges: • substantial improvements still needed • vacuum glazing for large applications but edge losses, condensation • reliable climate façade concepts with optimised performance • attractive solutions for integration or renewables in facades

18. Network Strategy Report - Building Components • Design support: • whole building design support and evaluation increasingly needed • window, façade performance influenced by occupancy, esp. housing • support for ‘climate facades’ for better comfort and energy use • design support for opaque elements is easier except where no conventional heating system is used • Standards, regulations • need for more integrated performance assessment methods • common (EN) standards are interpreted differently in Member States • not possible to assess advanced systems using current standards • optimisation and standardisation of assessment procedures needed

19. Network Strategy Report - Building, Urban Design • Changes in focus: • from energy in buildings to sustainable design • from single buildings to urban and brown field settings • Sustainable design: • minimise energy wastage (construction materials, water, etc.) • rational use of energy - passive solar design in new build and retrofit • implementation or renewable energy strategies

20. Network Strategy Report - Building, Urban Design • Key issues: • integration • capacity building • dissemination • Research needs: • establishment of targets • development of design tools • dissemination

21. Network Strategy Report - Building, Urban Design • Sustainable design: • whole life analysis • embodied energy in construction materials can be 5 times annual • PV may have 2 year energy pay back but much longer cost pay back • materials: renewable or finite, long/short life • adaptable design, flexibility - ‘loose fit’ • microclimate: overshadowing, winds, air and noise pollution • Better urban microclimates - better use of natural ventilation • effects on health, comfort and energy use of air quality, lighting, natural ventilation, solar gains

22. Network Strategy Report - Building, Urban Design • Key issues: • integration of active (RES) and passive (RUE) energy systems • integration of local, national and international scales • local traditions, skills, materials • integration of technical issues with social and aesthetic concerns • stimulating design opportunities offered by energy-efficient design • capacity building: increase awareness and expertise through training • dissemination: exemplars, technologies, products/systems

23. Network Strategy Report - Building, Urban Design • Research needs: • establish appropriate targets • through education, training, dissemination, legislation • sustainability indicators • life cycle assessment • ongoing building performance assessment • performance of building elements and materials • Design tools • refurbishment • urban scale assessment • IAQ and improved comfort assessment