U-SAVEA smarter EuropeSmart Windows: energy savings in winter and summerThe built environment accounts for a significant portion of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, with rising temperatures leading to increasing heat stress. The use of air conditioning units is increasing, which
The built environment accounts for a significant portion of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, with rising temperatures leading to increasing heat stress. The use of air conditioning units is increasing, further driving up energy consumption. While current insulation strategies reduce heating demand, they have no effect on the growing need for cooling.
U-SAVE focuses on developing smart windows with thermochromic glass that adapts to seasonal changes, reducing not only heating requirements in winter but also cooling demand in summer. This smart window, scaled up to 1 m², will be integrated into an office building at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus and into TNO’s ‘SolarBEAT’ test building on the TU Eindhoven campus. Smart window frames with a high insulation value are also being produced. This involves looking at innovative designs to maximize both sustainability and functionality. In parallel, U-SAVE is working on an adaptive solar shading system with semi-transparent slats treated with the same thermochromic material. This system adapts dynamically to the needs of the building. This innovation will also be featured at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus, in a test building belonging to Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.
These developments represent not only a technological breakthrough but also offer significant economic benefits. U-SAVE aims not only for energy savings of up to 33% above current standards but also for an annual CO2 reduction with a potential of millions of tons.
