In the quest for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings, a groundbreaking study from Delft University of Technology is making waves. Alejandro Prieto Hoces, a researcher at the university, has delved into the potential of integrating solar cooling systems into building facades, offering a promising alternative to conventional air-conditioning systems. His research, published in the journal ‘A+BE: Architecture and the Built Environment’ (Architecture and the Built Environment), explores the possibilities and constraints of this innovative approach, aiming to support the design of climate-responsive architectural products for office buildings.
The increasing demand for cooling in the built environment presents a significant challenge for sustainable design. While passive design and energy-saving measures are often the first line of defense, they are not always sufficient, particularly in warm climates and office buildings. Solar cooling technologies have emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative, driven by renewable energy and avoiding harmful refrigerants. However, their application in buildings has been largely limited to demonstration projects.
Prieto Hoces’ research aims to change that. “The underlying hypothesis is that self-sufficient solar cooling integrated facades may be a promising alternative to conventional centralised air-conditioning systems widely used in office buildings in warm climates,” he explains. His study explores the possibilities and constraints for architectural integration of solar cooling strategies in facades, providing a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the art and identifying barriers to widespread application.
The research is structured around three main parts. The first part lays the groundwork, identifying knowledge gaps and research trends, and proposing a framework for understanding solar cooling integrated facades. The second part explores the design and construction requirements for facade integration, as well as the response of facade design parameters to various climate conditions. The final part evaluates the facade integration potential of several solar cooling technologies, based on a comprehensive review of key aspects of each technology and their prospects to overcome the identified barriers.
The implications of this research for the energy sector are significant. By integrating solar cooling systems into building facades, we could see a shift away from conventional air-conditioning systems, reducing energy consumption and promoting the use of renewable energy. This could have a substantial impact on the energy sector, particularly in warm climates where cooling demands are high.
Moreover, the research highlights the need for further exploration and development in this field. “Important technical constraints need to be solved to conceive a facade component fail-tested for application in buildings,” Prieto Hoces notes. “Several barriers related to the facade design and development process would need to be tackled in order to introduce architectural products such as these into the building market.”
As we look to the future, this research serves as a compass, guiding further explorations in the topic under an overall environmentally conscious design approach. It offers a glimpse into the potential of solar cooling integrated facades, paving the way for innovative and sustainable building design. The energy sector would do well to take note, as this could be a game-changer in the quest for energy efficiency and sustainability.