Project Overview

Evaluation of the benefits of electrochromic glazing for energy and glare control in a WA commercial office development. Seeking to understand where glare risk could occur, what properties of glass would be needed, and the impact on a central thermal plant to reduce peak cooling.

Our Role

Staff of A2 Staff worked for an electrochromic glazing manufacturer to develop a detailed energy model of the specific control specifications for their product. A model was built in EnergyPlus of the site with detailed control schedules to tint the glass during simulation based on customized control algorithms.

Project Highlights

Technology was found to reduce energy use and thermal demands for the campus based on annual energy models of a representative building in the campus design. Energy savings are broken down by major end use as well as the energy cost savings, normalized to building floor area in sf.

• Energy Savings: 19% 8.9 kBtu/sf-year Total

• Heating & Cooling Savings: 46% 5.2 kBtu/sf-year Total

• Lighting Savings: 48% 4.1 kBtu/sf-year Total

• Energy Cost Savings: $0.21 / sf-year