Intelligent building envelope to optimize the explotation of solar radiation

A case study of a building for accommodation, located in the north-eastern Alpine area of Italy, is analyze to investigate how much the design of an envelope with integrated dynamic solar shading system results strategic for the realization of energy efficient buildings. The optimization of the ratio between opaque and transparent closure of the south facade, which acts as the collector of the contributions of solar radiation, combined with the use of automated solar shading helps to reduce energy consumption for heating in winter and greatly improve the thermal and lighting comfort indoor. The integrated dynamic simulation was conducted with the aid of tools for physical-technical modeling as Design Builder and it has allowed to quantify the important contribution to the total annual energy saving of the building through the use of intelligent solar screens. The objective is the design of a component with innovative technical features that has the ability to be integrated in an automated control system used at the larger building scale. The study highlighted a limit in the realization of the control system due to a lack in the current market of interoperable software solutions able to manage and coordinate the domotic components relating to different strategies such as, for example, the lighting and the heating system control. Indeed, they are typically supported by software not able to communicate between them. The study shows: - The need to focus and develop research in the field of product innovation, so as to provide adequate shielding for use in integrated and automated design of buildings; - The need to identify and define accurately the input data necessary for the design and proper functioning of the home automation system of screening. - The need for interoperable software solutions available.