Search results for "Glass block"

SBSKIN SOLAR GB: DURABILITÀ DI UN VETROMATTONE INTEGRATO CON CELLE SOLARI DI TERZA GENERAZIONE - SBSKIN SOLAR GB: THE DURABILITY OF 3RD GENERATION SO…

2016

Il vetromattone è un prodotto da costruzione che ha trovato molteplici applicazioni nel campo della progettazione edilizia per la realizzazione di involucri traslucidi. La necessità di adeguare il prodotto alle sempre più stringenti normative in materia di risparmio energetico e sostenibilità ambientale ha portato alla definizione di configurazioni innovative, tramite integrazione di sub-componenti in grado di migliorarne le prestazioni energetiche: una “cintura termica” e celle solari di terza generazione. Queste innovazioni tecniche, brevettate ed in fase di prototipazione da parte della SBskin. Smart Building Skin s.r.l., spin off accademico dell’Università di Palermo, necessitano di ade…

Strategies, Technologies and Novel Components for the Architectural Integration of Photovoltaics

2015

La ricerca riguarda l'integrazione architettonica del fotovoltaico (FV) per il retrofit energetico del patrimonio edilizio esistente e la costruzione di edifici a energia zero (ZEB). L'obiettivo è lo studio e la successiva definizione di strategie, tecnologie e componenti innovativi per l'involucro edilizio che integrino il fotovoltaico, con particolare attenzione verso le tecnologie fotovoltaiche di nuova generazione. Il lavoro si concentra anche sull'ottimizzazione energetica e sull'analisi delle prestazioni di un componente innovativo per il BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics, letteralmente fotovoltaico integrato negli edifici) utile alla costruzione di involucri edilizi sostenibili…

Analyses of innovative glass blocks for BIPV: assessment of thermal and optical performance

2015

This paper illustrates the results of the performance analyses conducted on an innovative glass block integrated with thirdgeneration dye-sensitised solar cells (DSCs), designed to enable the construction of translucent and sustainable building envelopes. The analyses include the simulation of both thermal and optical performance with regard to different configurations of the photovoltaic (PV)-integrated glass block, and the results obtained are presented using two different programs: Comsol Multiphysics and WINDOW. The configurations may differ – for example, because of the position of the module inside the glass block, the type of DSC module used (composition, transparency, design) and th…

MIGLIORAMENTO TECNOLOGICO-PRESTAZIONALE DI UN COMPONENTE INNOVATIVO PER L’INVOLUCRO EDILIZIO - PERFOMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF AN INNOVATIVE BUILDING COMPO…

2016

L’articolo illustra l’attività di ricerca che gli autori, cofounder della SBskin. Smart Building Skin s.r.l., start up innovativa e spin off accademico dell’Università degli Studi di Palermo, stanno conducendo al fine di ottimizzare le performance energetiche di un componente innovativo per facciate e coperture di edifici (dagli stessi brevettato) in grado di ridurre i consumi energetici e di produrre energia pulita dal sole. L’attività che qui si illustra è stata finalizzata all’ottimizzazione del design dei sub-componenti che contribuiscono alla realizzazione dei pannelli traslucidi multifunzionali (realizzati con vetromattoni innovativi, preassemblati a secco e precompressi) ed alla scel…

Innovative, Translucent and Multi-functional Components for the Building Envelope: technological and performance optimization

2017

The paper describes the actions aimed at the technology and performance optimization of an innovative, multi-functional building component made of precast and pre-stressed glass blocks useful for the construction of sustainable building envelopes able to reduce the energy consumption and to produce clean energy from the sun. The design optimization of different sub-components and the choice of the right materials for guaranteeing their good response in terms of mechanical resistance, thermal and acoustic insulation, light transmission, electricity production, integration with other components, dimensional coordination, are particularly described.

Optical Performance Evaluation of DSSC-integrated Glassblocks for Active Building Façades

2015

The paper outlines the results of a research, carried out at the University of Palermo, aimed at the assessment of the energy performance of a novel glassblock integrated with 3rd generation Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC), which, when installed into panels, allows obtaining translucent building envelopes able to provide high thermal and visual comfort levels while producing clean energy. The paper focuses on the optical analyses of four different configurations of DSSC-integrated glassblocks, carried out by using the optical design software Zemax. The values of optical transmittance, the solar factor and the electric power – calculated for each configuration – are discussed.

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

2015

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 th…

ARCHITECTURE AND PHOTOVOLTAICS. Strategies, technologies and novel components for the building envelope

Il principale obiettivo della tesi ha riguardato lo studio di strategie e tecnologie per l’integrazione del fotovoltaico negli edifici, con particolare attenzione verso le tecnologie solari di terza generazione, e la successiva definizione di un componente multifunzionale innovativo per l’involucro edilizio integrato con Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSC). Nella prima parte del lavoro, la ricerca si è concentrata sull’analisi del mercato del Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), sottolineando differenze, limiti e potenzialità di ciascuna tecnologia fotovoltaica. Particolare attenzione, inoltre, è stata rivolta a un numero consistente di casi studio, ossia edifici di nuova costruzione o in…

Energy Optimization of BIPV Glass Blocks: a Multi-software Study

2017

Abstract The aim of this paper is to show the results of the performance analyses carried out on four patented glass block configurations integrated with third-generation Dye-sensitized Solar Cell (DSC) modules. The analyses take into account the thermal, optical and electrical performance by using three different software (COMSOL Multiphysics, WINDOW, Zemax), also enabling to take into consideration the peculiar three-dimensional geometry of this innovative glazed product. Starting from these results, new configurations improved as for the thermal insulation, are also introduced and studied, in order to make further considerations about the applicability of this building component for the …

Experimental evaluation of the reliability of the adhesive joint in a 3rd-generation-solar-cell-integrated glass block

2017

Glass block is a building product that has been widely used since the mid-1800s for the construction of natural light capturing technical elements and, in the last decades, of translucent building envelopes. In a framework of increased quality requirements in terms of energy saving and environmental sustainability, innovations have been introduced to its standard configuration, including the integration of 3rd generation solar cells within the glass block, in order to improve its performance and make it capable of producing clean energy. Indeed, one of the two constituting glass shells has been integrated with a pre-assembled photovoltaic module and then bonded to a plastic “thermal belt” a…