Advanced Trombe wall façade design for improving energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions in solar limited buildings

Abstract

Urgent climate-change mitigation requires innovative technologies to maximize building energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, as buildings account for 35% of global energy consumption and 38% of greenhouse gas emissions. Trombe wall technology, typically employed in buildings with optimal solar exposure, has shown significant potential for improving energy efficiency. However, many buildings, particularly those with less favorable orientations such as north-facing structures, face challenges in harnessing solar energy. This study investigates the performance of Trombe wall systems in solar-limited public buildings, focusing on buildings with high heating energy consumption (HEC) and emissions due to its north-facing design. Using simulations based on actual building data, both a standard Trombe wall and a designed Trombe wall system, incorporating advanced reflective panels, were analyzed. Initial assessments showed HEC of approximately 77,000 kWh, with the standard system reducing this to around 41,000 kWh, achieving a 14.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The designed system, optimized for better solar energy capture through reflective panels, lowered HEC to about 51,000 kWh, resulting in nearly a 25% reduction in emissions. This research demonstrates the potential of integrating Trombe wall technology with innovative design features and 3D printing to significantly improve energy efficiency in north-facing buildings, offering a sustainable and adaptable solution for reducing energy consumption and emissions in diverse climates and orientations.