Smart perovskite windows slash energy costs, reduce emissions
American engineers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed modern thermochromic windows using perovskite materials, which significantly enhance the energy efficiency of buildings. This innovative solution aims to reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and decrease carbon dioxide emissions.
First, let's examine two important statistics. Buildings account for about 40% of global energy consumption, primarily due to heating in winter and air conditioning in summer. Moreover, energy loss through windows constitutes up to 30% of the energy required for building thermoregulation. Windows allow excess heat to enter in summer and heat to escape in winter.
To address these issues, scientists have been working for years on solutions to minimize these losses. One such solution involved windows coated with an infrared-responsive layer. Currently, engineers seeking more effective ways to save energy have focused on thermochromic windows. These windows use materials that change their properties in response to the ambient temperature.
How can perovskite windows reduce bills?
Thermochromic windows made from perovskites operate by transitioning from a fully transparent state to reflecting sunlight. This can significantly improve the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce heating and cooling costs, helping maintain the optimal indoor temperature.
By placing a perovskite layer between two panes of glass, these windows can adapt to thermal conditions. In summer, they reduce the amount of heat entering the interior, and in winter, they prevent heat from escaping. Consequently, less heating and air conditioning are needed, leading to energy and cost savings.
This is a real innovation in construction
This solution was implemented with financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy, and its effectiveness was tested in various climate zones across the United States. The greatest energy savings were recorded in the colder regions of the country.
Interestingly, the more windows a building has relative to wall area, the greater the benefits such windows can provide. All this information can be found in the detailed research report published by Advanced Energy Materials.
The scientists emphasize in the introduction to the report that "extraordinary promise of thermochromic metal halide perovskites to reduce building energy consumption," which is particularly important given the growing trend of designing buildings with increasingly larger glazed areas.
