Effect of switching control strategies on the energy performance of electrochromic windows

R. Sullivan; E. S. Lee; K. Papamichael; Michael Rubin; Steven E. Selkowitz

doi:10.1117/12.185387

9 September 1994 Effect of switching control strategies on the energy performance of electrochromic windows

R. Sullivan, E. S. Lee, K. Papamichael, Michael Rubin, Steven E. Selkowitz

Proceedings Volume 2255, Optical Materials Technology for Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Conversion XIII; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.185387
Event: Optical Materials Technology for Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Conversion XIII, 1994, Freiburg, Germany

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a study investigating the energy performance of electrochromic windows under a variety of state-switching control strategies. We used the DOE-2.1E energy simulation program to analyze the annual cooling, lighting, and total electricity use and peak demand as a function of glazing type, size, and electrochromic control strategy. We simulated a prototypical commercial office building module located in the cooling-dominated location of Blythe, California. Control strategies analyzed were based on daylight illuminance, incident total solar radiation, and space cooling load. Our results show that when a daylighting strategy is used to reduce electric lighting requirements, control algorithms based on daylight illuminance results in the best overall annual energy performance. If daylighting is not a design option, controls based on space cooling load yield the best performance through solar heat gain reduction. The performance of incident total solar radiation control strategies varies as a function of the switching setpoints; for small to moderate window sizes which result in small to moderate solar gains, a large setpoint-range was best since it provides increased illuminance for daylighting without much cooling penalty; for larger window sizes, which provide adequate daylight, a smaller setpoint-range was best to reduce unwanted solar heat gains and the consequential increased cooling requirement. Of particular importance is the fact that reduction in peak electric demand was found to be independent of the type of control strategy used for electrochromic switching. This is because the electrochromics are generally in their most colored state under peak conditions, and the mechanism used for achieving such a state is not important.

Citation Download Citation

R. Sullivan, E. S. Lee, K. Papamichael, Michael Rubin, and Steven E. Selkowitz "Effect of switching control strategies on the energy performance of electrochromic windows", Proc. SPIE 2255, Optical Materials Technology for Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Conversion XIII, (9 September 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.185387

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