Evaluation of an Active Building Envelope window-system

Active Building Envelope (ABE) systems are a new enclosure technology which integrate photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) technologies. In ABE systems, a PV-system transfers solar energy directly into electrical energy, which can be used to power a TE heat-pump system. ABE-technologies allow for the development of thermal enclosure systems that have the ability to regulate their temperature (cooling or heating) by interacting with the sun. Applications include various enclosures that require thermal control, including building enclosures. This study considers the performance of the overall prototype ABE window-systems, and also includes the PV systems. This paper reports experimental results to establish the efficiency of the ABE system prototype. Computational analysis based upon PV modeling theories are carried out to simulate the performance of the PV system directly connected to a series of TE modules. The number and type of electrical connections for the TE modules is discussed in order to pursue the maximum power point for PV operation.