The comfort and energy demand of a building are influenced significantly by glazed area of the facade. The glazed areas in the building are always challenging. Large glazing allows more daylight to get into the room but at the same time cause more heat gain and heat loss through the building envelop. Shading devices are very suitable elements for installing PV panels. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential impact of different PV shading devices on energy performance and daylight of office buildings in Nordic climate.

The comfort and energy demand of a building are influenced significantly by glazed area of the facade. The glazed areas in the building are always challenging. Large glazing allows more daylight to get into the room but at the same time cause more heat gain and heat loss through the building envelop. Shading devices are very suitable elements for installing PV panels. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential impact of different PV shading devices on energy performance and daylight of office buildings in Nordic climate.

This dissertation is based on literature studies of relevant books and articles on the solar shading systems and the comparative analysis of different cases. The quantitative data for the comparative analysis is achieved by means of computer simulations using COMFEN, ECOTECT and PVsyst.

The focus of this study is on external solar shading devices. Five different control strategies were analyzed: No shading devices, Overhang, Movable vertical blinds, Movable horizontal blinds, PV integrated in glass. These shading systems are applied to three facades: south, west and east facades. Comparable assessments have been conducted in terms of window heat gains, energy consumptions, energy production of PV cells, daylight and glare.

The outcome of this effort would be used in practical projects such as powerhouse one.

Abstract

The Trondheim living lab is a newly built detached single family home that is planned to reach a zero emission balance over the course of its lifetime. This is achieved by a broad variety of technical strategies such as passive and active energy design and efficient installations. The degree of automation of the building's environmental services (such as heating, cooling, ventilation, and light) has been left open to be able to test different control scenarios: manual, automatic and several modes combining both approaches.

In the first wave of qualitative experiments conducted in the laboratory between September 2015 and March 2016 six different groups are invited to live in the house for 25 days each. During this time, the script - i.e. the programs controlling the building according to ideal indoor environmental and energetic conditions - is kept as stable as possible. At the same time a user override is provided where applicable. Based on direct observation (mainly through sensors registering temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, light levels, presence, energy use, airing), and interviews before, during and after the stay, compliance and deviation from the script is registered and analysed along the dimensions of skill, meanings, and technology.

The goal of this analysis is twofold: First, we aim to provide a detailed account of which expected or unexpected occupant actions matter in which way for the resulting energy consumption of a high performance zero emission building. The second goal is conceptual: We revisit concepts like scripts and anti-programs (e.g. Akrich 1992; Latour 1992), domestication (e.g. Silverstone & Hirsch 1992; Sørensen 2006), and social practice (e.g. Schatzki et al. 2001; Reckwitz 2002) and explore their ability to shed light on occupants' interactions with automated domestic environments.

Abstract

In highly-insulated buildings such as passive houses, the space-heating distribution subsystem can be simplified by reducing the number of heat emitters. In this context, the bi-directional flow through open doorways is known to be an efficient process to support the heat distribution between rooms. This process is therefore investigated using field measurements within a Norwegian passive house. The so-called large opening approximation proves to model fairly the mass flow rate, but also the convective heat transfer if the thermal stratification is accounted for. Furthermore, the discharge coefficient appears to be independent of the heater type and location in the room.

Abstract

In highly-insulated buildings such as passive houses, the space-heating distribution subsystem can be simplified by reducing the number of heat emitters. In this context, the bi-directional flow through open doorways is known to be an efficient process to support the heat distribution between rooms. This process is therefore investigated using field measurements within a Norwegian passive house. The so-called large opening approximation proves to model fairly the mass flow rate, but also the convective heat transfer if the thermal stratification is accounted for. Furthermore, the discharge coefficient appears to be independent of the heater type and location in the room.

Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) is an important source of renewable energy production for Zero Emission Buildings, even in Norwegian climate. In the planned Powerhouse 1 building at Brattøra in Trondheim the idea to reach a zero emission building level is to use PVs as a roofing material covering the entire roof. Challenges and questions raised in the design process of this building have motivated the work reported here.