Active Insulation Systems

Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
DOE Total Funding: $350.000
Project Term: October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019
Funding Type: Direct Funded

Project Objective

The lack of adaptability of the building envelope leads to a passive system in a dynamic environment. That is, buildings have envelopes with properties that can’t be optimized to save energy based on indoor and outdoor conditions, and to enhance services to the electric grid based on building envelopes’ inherent storage capacity. Active insulation systems that can vary their thermal conductivity on demand can save energy in buildings by tuning the heat transfer from the interior to the outdoor space, and vice versa, when outside conditions are favorable. Additionally, these systems can enhance the grid’s capabilities because envelope and interior components with significant thermal mass can be coupled with these thermal valves so they can be charged/discharged on demand and at the desired charge/discharge rate to reduce peak loads in a tailored manner. The objective of this project is to evaluate the energy savings and grid-service potential of building envelopes with active insulation systems.

Project Impact

Opaque components of building envelopes are responsible for ~11 quads of energy per year in the U.S. To lessen this energy use, the present project is evaluating the feasibility of different active insulation systems in residential and commercial buildings in various U.S. climate zones. The team is conducting a comprehensive assessment based on simulations to determine the benefits that active insulation systems could offer to reduce energy consumption and strengthen grid reliability. Simulation results will confirm our hypothesis that the storage capacity and dynamic capabilities of the building envelope are grossly underutilized and that active insulation systems will lead to new frontiers for building envelopes.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: Sven Mumme 
Lead Performer: Florian Antretter, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Related Publications

Antretter, Florian; Boudreaux, Philip; Hun, Diana: “Assessment of the Potential of Active Insulation Systems to Reduce Energy Consumption and Enhance Electrical Grid Services.” Submitted to the 2019 Buildings XIV International Conference in Clearwater Beach, FL, 2019.