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Life Cycle Assessment of Dynamic Water Flow Glazing Envelopes: A Case Study with Real Test Facilities

Author

Listed:
  • Belen Moreno Santamaria

    (Department of Construction and Architectural Technology, Technical School of Architecture of Madrid, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Av. Juan de Herrera 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Fernando del Ama Gonzalo

    (Keene State College, 229 Main St, Keene, NH 03435, USA)

  • Matthew Griffin

    (Keene State College, 229 Main St, Keene, NH 03435, USA)

  • Benito Lauret Aguirregabiria

    (Department of Construction and Architectural Technology, Technical School of Architecture of Madrid, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Av. Juan de Herrera 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Juan A. Hernandez Ramos

    (Escuela Department of Applied Mathematics, School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Plaza Cardenal Cisneros 3, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

High initial costs hinder innovative technologies for building envelopes. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) should consider energy savings to show relevant economic benefits and potential to reduce energy consumption and CO 2 emissions. Life Cycle Cost (LCC) and Life Cycle Energy (LCE) should focus on investment, operation, maintenance, dismantling, disposal, and/or recycling for the building. This study compares the LCC and LCE analysis of Water Flow Glazing (WFG) envelopes with traditional double and triple glazing facades. The assessment considers initial, operational, and disposal costs and energy consumption as well as different energy systems for heating and cooling. Real prototypes have been built in two different locations to record real-world data of yearly operational energy. WFG systems consistently showed a higher initial investment than traditional glazing. The final Life Cycle Cost analysis demonstrates that WFG systems are better over the operation phase only when it is compared with a traditional double-glazing. However, a Life Cycle Energy assessment over 50 years concluded that energy savings between 36% and 66% and CO 2 emissions reduction between 30% and 70% could be achieved.

Suggested Citation

  • Belen Moreno Santamaria & Fernando del Ama Gonzalo & Matthew Griffin & Benito Lauret Aguirregabiria & Juan A. Hernandez Ramos, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment of Dynamic Water Flow Glazing Envelopes: A Case Study with Real Test Facilities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:8:p:2195-:d:536150
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Chen, Sihui & Lyu, Yuanli & Li, Chunying & Li, Xueyang & Yang, Wei & Wang, Ting, 2024. "Liquid flow glazing contributes to energy-efficient buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).

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