Abstract
Within the EU H2020 project EnergyMatching, a set of multifunctional window block prototypes for residential building retrofit was developed. The window block provides valuable opportunities for enhancing the energy performance of existing buildings, minimizing the impact on building occupants, as well as allowing the effective integration of active components to maximize renewable energy sources exploitation. It is a prefabricated insulated system that can integrate photovoltaic modules, dynamic and automated shading systems and decentralized ventilation units. This paper focuses on “energy-matching” and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) simulations performed during the early design phase of different so-called Solar Window Block (SWB) configurations. The applied approach, based on hourly time-steps calculations, consists in evaluating the performance of the SWB BIPV module (supported by a battery) in supplying the connected ventilation unit and the consequent effect on the IAQ (CO2 concentration). The simulations shown good performance of the SWB in covering the energy demand, even leading to a reduction of IAQ that nonetheless remains on acceptable levels. They represented a useful support to the development of SWB prototypes both for laboratory testing and real demo installation. 3 SWB prototypes were installed in an outdoor laboratory and 39 SWB were integrated in a building demo case