Electrically powered active smart windows

Abstract

Energy consumption within buildings, predominantly driven by non-renewable sources, remains a substantial contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. This is primarily attributed to the demand for occupant comfort, encompassing air-conditioning, lighting, and electrical usage. In response to this pressing challenge, switchable smart windows have emerged as a highly promising solution applicable to both residential and commercial structures. By effectively modulating light and heat, these windows offer a multifaceted approach to energy conservation, encompassing reduced heat loss, diminished reliance on artificial lighting, and consequential cost savings. This research paper critically evaluates the latest advancements in electrically actuated smart windows, with a specific focus on AC-powered variants such as Suspended Particles, Liquid Crystal, and DC-powered Electrochromic windows. The study meticulously delves into the operational principles, technical parameters, advantages, limitations, prospects, applications, energy-saving potential, and market penetration of these intelligent window technologies. Notably, the investigation extends to key thermal metrics like overall heat transfer coefficient and solar heat gain coefficient, alongside optical attributes including correlated colour temperature (CCT) and colour rendering index (CRI). Furthermore, the report delves into the intricate challenges associated with integrating smart windows into building infrastructure, presenting viable solutions and perspectives to address these concerns. These challenges encompass the absence of standardized regulations within the UK, elevated costs, technical intricacies, limited research and development, and uncharted compatibility with both new constructions and retrofit designs. Through a comprehensive analysis, this paper endeavours to shed light on potential avenues to surmount these obstacles, ultimately unlocking the full potential of smart windows in establishing energy-efficient built environments.