Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Q-Air (Sustainable Prefabricated Glass Façade with Performance Exceeding State-of-the-art Glass Façades)
Reporting period: 2018-01-01 to 2018-12-31
Modern society is continually searching for technical and organizational innovations that lower energy consumption, thus contributing to lower energy demands, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate dependence on imported energy. Providing high quality living and working conditions in buildings, which improves people’s health, wellbeing and productivity is an energy intensive process. Buildings within the EU are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions. The building envelope is one of the most promising elements that can completely recast demands for cooling and heating loads. On the other hand, the building envelope plays a major role in the daylight factor, the occupant’s experience and on energy demand attributable to artificial lighting.
Q-Air project is about an innovative glazing envelope that can reach even nZEB (nearly Zero Energy Building) requirements with thermal insulation Ucw value down to 0.30 W/m2K for 100% transparent facade. Q-Air façade system uses an innovative, multi-chamber insulating core, which delivers superior energy efficiency, maximised natural daylight and the highest living and working comfort with 24-hour views to the outdoor environment without external sun shading.
The objectives of the Q-Air project were to technically upgrade the Q-Air façade system with regard to sealing and structural performance, develop Q-Air large-size glass elements, develop additional cover material application, develop Q-Air special façade system for building refurbishment and develop Building Information Modelling (BIM) libraries. Further objectives were to analyse, test and certify developed system in mechanical, thermal and sustainable sense. General objective was also to intensively disseminate project results to stakeholders for effective market take-up. All the objectives of the Q-Air project are met, and activities successfully realized.
The outcome of this project offers a complete Q-Air façade system for clients searching for a glazed building envelope, either for new builds or refurbishments, which ensures much lower energy consumption for heating, cooling and lighting, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate dependence on imported energy whilst also delivering much better working and living conditions for occupants inside the buildings. Together with advanced Q-Air BIM design, fast and simple installation principles, and low maintenance through building’s life-time, Q-Air responds perfectly to architectural, construction, owners and occupants needs. Q-Air is available for wide market usage and thus moving the industry closer to a cost-effective and human-friendly, nearly zero energy buildings.
Q-Air project is about an innovative glazing envelope that can reach even nZEB (nearly Zero Energy Building) requirements with thermal insulation Ucw value down to 0.30 W/m2K for 100% transparent facade. Q-Air façade system uses an innovative, multi-chamber insulating core, which delivers superior energy efficiency, maximised natural daylight and the highest living and working comfort with 24-hour views to the outdoor environment without external sun shading.
The objectives of the Q-Air project were to technically upgrade the Q-Air façade system with regard to sealing and structural performance, develop Q-Air large-size glass elements, develop additional cover material application, develop Q-Air special façade system for building refurbishment and develop Building Information Modelling (BIM) libraries. Further objectives were to analyse, test and certify developed system in mechanical, thermal and sustainable sense. General objective was also to intensively disseminate project results to stakeholders for effective market take-up. All the objectives of the Q-Air project are met, and activities successfully realized.
The outcome of this project offers a complete Q-Air façade system for clients searching for a glazed building envelope, either for new builds or refurbishments, which ensures much lower energy consumption for heating, cooling and lighting, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate dependence on imported energy whilst also delivering much better working and living conditions for occupants inside the buildings. Together with advanced Q-Air BIM design, fast and simple installation principles, and low maintenance through building’s life-time, Q-Air responds perfectly to architectural, construction, owners and occupants needs. Q-Air is available for wide market usage and thus moving the industry closer to a cost-effective and human-friendly, nearly zero energy buildings.
"Project Q-Air commenced January 1st, 2017 and concluded on December 31st, 2018. During the project implementation, the following results were achieved:
- New aluminium and steel structural profiles with higher load capacity and lower thermal transmittance,
- Uniform sealing system for all types of structural profiles (aluminium, steel and polyamide),
- Q-Air large size façade element with dimensions up to 6 x 3 m (height x width),
- Solution to apply cover material such as metal sheet, wood or stone on Q-Air element,
- Q-Air façade refurbishment solutions such as stick built façade, fixed window refurbishment and modular façade,
- Upgraded production line with shorter production cycle,
- ""Knowledge center"" with made detailed technical documentation,
- Q-Air tested and certified for mechanical and thermal properties, air- and water-tightness, fire resistance and sound reduction,
- Numerically determined Q-Air's characteristics,
- Q-Air BIM library (Building Information Modelling),
- Guidelines for further BIM process integration into industry sector,
- Interactive tool ""Q-Air Point"" for demonstration of new glazed building envelope Q-Air and its many benefits,
- Calculated environmental impact and issued EPD (Environmental Product Declaration),
- Q-Air's impact on the sustainability of building determined,
- Improved working and living comfort proven,
- Intellectual property rights were geographically defined,
- Intensive dissemination of project results to stakeholders on international public, science, other events and activities for effective market take-up.
"
- New aluminium and steel structural profiles with higher load capacity and lower thermal transmittance,
- Uniform sealing system for all types of structural profiles (aluminium, steel and polyamide),
- Q-Air large size façade element with dimensions up to 6 x 3 m (height x width),
- Solution to apply cover material such as metal sheet, wood or stone on Q-Air element,
- Q-Air façade refurbishment solutions such as stick built façade, fixed window refurbishment and modular façade,
- Upgraded production line with shorter production cycle,
- ""Knowledge center"" with made detailed technical documentation,
- Q-Air tested and certified for mechanical and thermal properties, air- and water-tightness, fire resistance and sound reduction,
- Numerically determined Q-Air's characteristics,
- Q-Air BIM library (Building Information Modelling),
- Guidelines for further BIM process integration into industry sector,
- Interactive tool ""Q-Air Point"" for demonstration of new glazed building envelope Q-Air and its many benefits,
- Calculated environmental impact and issued EPD (Environmental Product Declaration),
- Q-Air's impact on the sustainability of building determined,
- Improved working and living comfort proven,
- Intellectual property rights were geographically defined,
- Intensive dissemination of project results to stakeholders on international public, science, other events and activities for effective market take-up.
"
Q-Air project results are creating possibilities beyond the state-of-the-art and can bring great positive impacts across the architecture, construction, glazing industry and nature, to the owners, occupants and wider society.
NEARLY ZERO ENERGY BUILDING - nZEB
Q-Air project is helping to move the industry closer to a total sustainable, near-zero energy building (nZEB). Our research results and calculations have shown that the 5-chamber Q-Air glass façade, which has an extremely high thermal insulation for the whole system (Ucw value as low as 0.30 W/m2K), can diminish energy requirements for space heating substantially even in northern countries and can eliminate the requirement for heating in other countries. Heating demand is close to zero as such a system provides enough heat gain through visible light alone, which enables an almost heating-free solution in winter. This is achieved with glazing whose solar heat gain (g or SHGC value) does not exceed 0.3 and Q-Air can provide such (0.09 – 0.34). Currently, CO2 emissions associated with buildings are strongly appearing due to winter heating, which means Q-Air can besides significant energy consumption reduction also extensively reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to climate protection. All this represents a new paradigm in reduction of dependency from fossil fuels in buildings.
6-PANE TRANSPARENT GLAZING, THERMAL INSULATION Ucw ≥ 0.30 W/m2K
Up to six layers of glass (6-pane glazing or 5-chamber system) create an innovative insulating core to allow Q-Air to deliver unparalleled energy savings, healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Specifically, the fully transparent glazed façade offers an extremely low thermal transmittance, Ucw ≥ 0.30 W/m2K, Ug = 0.27 W/m2K. Based on scientific knowledge, Q-Air uses flexing expansion glass and breathable innermost expansion chamber, which compensates for the climatic insulating gas expansion and contraction. Q-Air, which doesn´t need any external shading devices and is a prefabricated solution, is very fast and simple for use, and this way almost maintenance free solution.
HIGH LIVING AND WORKING COMFORT - NATURAL DAYLIGHT, UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW, CONSTANT INDOOR TEMPERATURE, SOUND PROTECTION
Q-Air creates an outstanding living and working environment for occupants with no viewing obstructions (due to no external sun shades) as well as facilitating a constant interior temperature, with no cold draughts (cold air movements) from the glass in winter (due to low Ug value) and equally no excessive solar heat gain (heat radiation from the glass or overheating) in summer. The fully transparent façade maximises the passage of natural daylight, which contributes to an improved wellbeing of occupants and its sound insulating capabilities, in excess of 43 dB, ensures a peaceful environment too.
NEARLY ZERO ENERGY BUILDING - nZEB
Q-Air project is helping to move the industry closer to a total sustainable, near-zero energy building (nZEB). Our research results and calculations have shown that the 5-chamber Q-Air glass façade, which has an extremely high thermal insulation for the whole system (Ucw value as low as 0.30 W/m2K), can diminish energy requirements for space heating substantially even in northern countries and can eliminate the requirement for heating in other countries. Heating demand is close to zero as such a system provides enough heat gain through visible light alone, which enables an almost heating-free solution in winter. This is achieved with glazing whose solar heat gain (g or SHGC value) does not exceed 0.3 and Q-Air can provide such (0.09 – 0.34). Currently, CO2 emissions associated with buildings are strongly appearing due to winter heating, which means Q-Air can besides significant energy consumption reduction also extensively reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to climate protection. All this represents a new paradigm in reduction of dependency from fossil fuels in buildings.
6-PANE TRANSPARENT GLAZING, THERMAL INSULATION Ucw ≥ 0.30 W/m2K
Up to six layers of glass (6-pane glazing or 5-chamber system) create an innovative insulating core to allow Q-Air to deliver unparalleled energy savings, healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Specifically, the fully transparent glazed façade offers an extremely low thermal transmittance, Ucw ≥ 0.30 W/m2K, Ug = 0.27 W/m2K. Based on scientific knowledge, Q-Air uses flexing expansion glass and breathable innermost expansion chamber, which compensates for the climatic insulating gas expansion and contraction. Q-Air, which doesn´t need any external shading devices and is a prefabricated solution, is very fast and simple for use, and this way almost maintenance free solution.
HIGH LIVING AND WORKING COMFORT - NATURAL DAYLIGHT, UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW, CONSTANT INDOOR TEMPERATURE, SOUND PROTECTION
Q-Air creates an outstanding living and working environment for occupants with no viewing obstructions (due to no external sun shades) as well as facilitating a constant interior temperature, with no cold draughts (cold air movements) from the glass in winter (due to low Ug value) and equally no excessive solar heat gain (heat radiation from the glass or overheating) in summer. The fully transparent façade maximises the passage of natural daylight, which contributes to an improved wellbeing of occupants and its sound insulating capabilities, in excess of 43 dB, ensures a peaceful environment too.