Adaptive Daylighting Systems

81 Adaptive Daylighting Systems--Aspen Systems, Inc., 184 Cedar Hill Street, Marlborough, MA 01752-3017; (508) 481-5058 Mr. Glenn Demming, Principal Investigator Mr. Hamed Borhanian, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-97ER82334 Amount: $74,981 There is a need to promote the design and development of products or systems that utilize passive solar energy in combination with energy efficiency features to significantly reduce the need for conventional energy sources. The increased use of Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) roof systems presents an opportunity to develop integrated products that will provide high quality daylighting, heating contributions when desired, and cooling load avoidance when necessary. This project addresses this opportunity through the development of a novel skylight that will admit diffused solar radiation into the building in varying amounts depending on sun angle. As a result, daylighting is provided in a more even manner throughout the day and year than with conventional skylights. Passive solar heating is also enhanced during periods when it is desirable and much of the high angle summer-sun is rejected, thus providing cooling load avoidance. The novel adaptive daylighting system to be developed will utilize passive glazing technologies having no moving parts or external power source. A highly insulative translucent aerogel material will be incorporated into a matrix structure and sealed between two layers of glazing that provide an overall R-value more than five times that of a standard double glazed window. The Phase I program will include whole building modeling and testing of glazing samples to optimize the design parameters. The Phase II program will include full scale prototype development and testing. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The adaptive daylighting system developed in this program will provide high quality daylighting to building interiors. During times of low incident radiation transmittance will be increased, and energy will be saved in operative lighting and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. While the initial market for this product would be for use with new SIP roof systems, retrofit and conventionally constructed buildings will also benefit.