Active panels for energy efficient building envelopes

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Buildings utilize approximately 40% of the total energy consumed in USA and Canada. Therefore, there is anincreasing need for saving energy consumed by buildings. Large portions of building materials have relativelylow thermal conductivities and high heat capacities. Therefore, the building structures have significantpotential to be utilized as temporary thermal energy storage systems. Innovative North (industrial partner forthis project) has been involved in the process of developing clean technologies like "SolarStrom" and"ThermoStorm". Such technologies can be effectively utilized for windows, doors, walls, etc. for the energyefficient building and can store energy from renewable sources and convert the stored energy to heat and otheruseful forms (e.g., air-heating, air-conditioning, power generation, water heating, etc.) when required. In thisresearch and development project, the core focus will be on rectangular-shaped structures which will berepresentative geometries for active wall panels for wall, door, and window. Analytical and computational fluiddynamics and heat transfer model will be developed to study and analyze air and water flow channel,performance of heat transfer fluid, energy transmission and conversion processes based on different types ofmaterials or nano-materials applicable to energy efficiency applications. A small scale prototype will bedeveloped based on the modeling results for experimental measurements in the lab environment. Heat flux andtemperatures of air layer, heat transfer fluid, and energy storage material layer will be measured. Energyconversion efficiency of the prototype will be calculated. Project like this will assist stimulation of greeninvestment, green innovation, and will create more employment opportunities for local people and environmentfriendly technologies. In the long run, such system has the potential for cost and carbon footprint reductions inOntario as well as in Canada.