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BubbleZERO—Design, Construction and Operation of a Transportable Research Laboratory for Low Exergy Building System Evaluation in the Tropics

Author

Listed:
  • Marcel Bruelisauer

    (Future Cities Laboratory, Singapore-ETH Centre, Department of Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
    Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland)

  • Kian Wee Chen

    (Future Cities Laboratory, Singapore-ETH Centre, Department of Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
    Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland)

  • Rupesh Iyengar

    (Future Cities Laboratory, Singapore-ETH Centre, Department of Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
    Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland)

  • Hansjürg Leibundgut

    (Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland)

  • Cheng Li

    (Future Cities Laboratory, Singapore-ETH Centre, Department of Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
    School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore)

  • Mo Li

    (School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore)

  • Matthias Mast

    (Future Cities Laboratory, Singapore-ETH Centre, Department of Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland)

  • Forrest Meggers

    (School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117566, Singapore)

  • Clayton Miller

    (Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland)

  • Dino Rossi

    (Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland)

  • Esmail M. Saber

    (Future Cities Laboratory, Singapore-ETH Centre, Department of Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
    Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland)

  • Kwok Wai Tham

    (School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117566, Singapore)

  • Arno Schlueter

    (Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland)

Abstract

We present the design, construction and operation of a novel building systems laboratory, the BubbleZERO—Zero Emission Research Operation. Our objective was to design a space to evaluate the performance of Swiss-developed low exergy building systems in the tropical climate of Singapore using an integrated design approach. The method we employed for evaluation in the tropics was to design and build a test bed out of the shipping containers that transported the prototype low exergy systems from Switzerland to Singapore. This approach resulted in a novel laboratory environment containing radiant cooling panels and decentralized air supply, along with a self-shading, inflated “bubble” skin, experimental low emissivity (LowE) glazing, LED lighting, wireless sensors and distributed control. The laboratory evaluates and demonstrates for the first time in Singapore an integrated high-temperature cooling system with separate demand-controlled ventilation adapted for the tropics. It is a functional lab testing system in real tropical conditions. As such, the results showing the ability to mitigate the risk of condensation by maintaining a dew point below 18 °C by the separate decentralized ventilation are significant and necessary for potential future implementation in buildings. In addition, the control system provides new proof of concept for distributed wireless sensors and control for reliable automation of the systems. These key results are presented along with the integrated design process and real-life tropical operation of the laboratory.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcel Bruelisauer & Kian Wee Chen & Rupesh Iyengar & Hansjürg Leibundgut & Cheng Li & Mo Li & Matthias Mast & Forrest Meggers & Clayton Miller & Dino Rossi & Esmail M. Saber & Kwok Wai Tham & Arno Sc, 2013. "BubbleZERO—Design, Construction and Operation of a Transportable Research Laboratory for Low Exergy Building System Evaluation in the Tropics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(9), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:6:y:2013:i:9:p:4551-4571:d:28469
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Meggers, Forrest & Ritter, Volker & Goffin, Philippe & Baetschmann, Marc & Leibundgut, Hansjürg, 2012. "Low exergy building systems implementation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 48-55.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sigrid Adriaenssens & Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos & Axel Kilian & Olivier Baverel & Victor Charpentier & Matthew Horner & Denisa Buzatu, 2014. "Dialectic Form Finding of Passive and Adaptive Shading Enclosures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-20, August.
    2. Guo, Hongshan & Aviv, Dorit & Loyola, Mauricio & Teitelbaum, Eric & Houchois, Nicholas & Meggers, Forrest, 2020. "On the understanding of the mean radiant temperature within both the indoor and outdoor environment, a critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    3. Florin-Emilian Țurcanu & Cătălin-George Popovici & Marina Verdeș & Vasilică Ciocan & Sebastian-Valeriu Hudișteanu, 2020. "Indoor Climate Modelling and Economic Analysis Regarding the Energetic Rehabilitation of a Church," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Mi-Su Shin & Ji-Su Choi & Kyu-Nam Rhee, 2020. "Cooling Capacity and Energy Performance of Open-Type Ceiling Radiant Cooling Panel System with Air Circulators," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Razmara, M. & Maasoumy, M. & Shahbakhti, M. & Robinett, R.D., 2015. "Optimal exergy control of building HVAC system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 555-565.
    6. Kashif Irshad & Salem Algarni & Mohammad Tauheed Ahmad & Sayed Ameenuddin Irfan & Khairul Habib & Mostafa A.H. Abdelmohimen & Md. Hasan Zahir & Gulam Mohammed Sayeed Ahmed, 2019. "Microclimate Thermal Management Using Thermoelectric Air-Cooling Duct System Operated at Five Incremental Powers and its Effect on Sleep Adaptation of the Occupants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-25, September.
    7. Víctor Echarri-Iribarren & Carlos Rizo-Maestre & Fernando Echarri-Iribarren, 2018. "Healthy Climate and Energy Savings: Using Thermal Ceramic Panels and Solar Thermal Panels in Mediterranean Housing Blocks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-32, October.

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