BE-Smart: Innovative Building Envelope for Sustainable, Modular, Aesthetic, Reliable and efficient construction

Project Information

Be-Smart

Grant agreement ID: 818009

DOI

10.3030/818009

Project closed

EC signature date 26 September 2018

Start date 1 October 2018

End date 30 September 2022

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 9 416 549,39

EU contribution

€ 8 155 173,37

Coordinated by

ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
Switzerland

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - Be-Smart (BE-Smart: Innovative Building Envelope for Sustainable, Modular, Aesthetic, Reliable and efficient construction)

Reporting period: 2021-10-01 to 2022-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The scientific research conducted during the duration of the Be-Smart project has resulted in some remarkable findings:
• The three building demonstrators have shown that it is possible to create active solar facade, energetically efficient while being aesthetically integrated in the building architecture. Each buildings are unique and make the demonstration of different case studies: Uppsala is a new building where the solar façades have been thought and design by the architects from the very beginning of the project, Oslo demonstrates how solar panels can be integrated on the terrace flat roof as not only a electricity power plan but also, thanks to the different coloring techniques that exsit today, how they can contribute to the esthetic of a urban complex and even play a social role while the demonstrator in Neuchâtel shows how a commercial building façade can be retrofif by becoming active while keeping it’s architectural design.
• New encapsulation materials allowing to introduce color into the solar panel have been developed. Thanks to the development made during the project, the partner Solaxess is now commercilaizing this new film version.
• An EPoG color modelling and power prediction tool has been developed allowing a considerable gain of time in the color selection process.
• Several accelerated ageing tests on mini and full size colored modules ( using the different coloring techniques) have been performed and demonstrated to pass over 5x standard test duration for extended UV and DH-testing as well as 5x standard testing duration for extended TC tests.
• A complete market assessment has been realized by conducting field interviews with experts and internal partner questionnaires at the European scale. A co-creation work and workshops resulted in an exploitation and a digital roadmap for business enablers.
• Strong dissemination and communication activities have been performed all along the project with activities at different levels to address different audiences. From scientific publications, specialized and mass media conferences to large audience artistic exhibition. This impactful communication actively contributed to make known the project but more over the BIPV topic in general.
• A complete Capcity building programmme has been created and is accessible online on the Be-Smart website. It gives precious informations to anyone interested in developing a BIPV project, from technical to architectural aspects.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1 – Management (EFPL): In order to coordinate, monitor and implement the necessary measures for the achievement of Be-Smart objectives on time, within the allocated budget and according to high quality standards, the management team has implemented different actions to ensure the smooth running of the project.
WP2 – Multifunctional EPoGs (CSEM): Target colours are selected based on the survey conducted among relevant stakeholders. New colors and printing process are developed for DCP glass. Over 10 new colors are developed for Solaxess colored film technology and their extrusion and lamination process are optimized. The long-term reliability of new colors is evaluated and approved on material and mini-module levels. BiocleanTM glass provided by SGDE is evaluated for the use in multifunctional EPoGs. Different module interconnection technologies are compared for their application in EPoGs.
WP3 – Multifunctional Performance, Lifetime Reliability, Upscaling and Monitoring (IFE): Towards Validating and optimizing the bottom-up reliability of EpoG towards standardization several tests have been performed. Several models for different failure modes and factors have been developed and verified with accelerated aging tests (AAT) and relevant characterization. Planning of the monitoring system, protocols and analysis for the site demonstrators has recently been initiated and will be a focus towards demonstrator launch.
WP4 – Building Interface / rules & norms (IMRC): The first demonstration building has been constructed in Uppsala and the second one is currently in construction in Oslo.
A review of mounting systems and associated costs was conducted.
WP5 – Implementation & production / demonstration (EPLF): Several contacts with module manufacturers have been taken and modules have been order for Uppsala, Oslo and Neuchâtel demonstration buildings.
WP6 – Exploitation and Capacity Building for BIPV implementation in Europe (SIE): A complete and comprehensive report on market analysis and exploitation strategy was realized. In addition, a training programme was created (Capacity building) and accessible online through the project website.
WP7 – Dissemination and communication (COMPAZ): An artistic and energy producing exhibition “Figli del Sole” has been inaugurated in the Sicilian village of Oliveri. A 25 minutes movie has been relaized to present and explain the Be-Smart project objectives and results to a large audience. The “Watt is Art” exhibition has been exposed in the Théâtre du Passage in Neucâtel (CH) from October to December 2022. Activities of communication on social media have been realized and numerous talk and conference have been given nationally and internationally.
WP8 – Ethics (L-UP): During the periodic reporting 2 necessary ethics requirements and reporting were produced and updated.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

• Promote the EPOG’s technologies and their potential through public exhibitions “Figli del Sole”, “ Watt is Art” and the Be-Smart movie which has been produced and accessible online. Numerous conferences and publications have been given to the public media as well as in the academic field.
• Promote the EPOG’s technologies through the 3 demonstrators which have been realized in Oslo ( Norway), Upsala ( Sweden) and Neuchâtel (Switzerland).
• Several architects, building companies and private owners have contacted the consortium through Be-Smart website to have more information on BIPV products.
• Padanaplast has further optimized an encapsulant film with wide processing window and very low content of impurities. This film has been proven to be highly reliable and especially compatible with Solaxess colored film.
• CSEM has further optimized a modelling software which could predict the power output of the EPoG elements with any given colours. This software can also facilitate the colour development of coloring materials for EPoG elements.
• SOLAXESS has developed a much simpler integration of the film has been developed, allowing the Solaxess film to be integrated into the PV laminate which results in high weather resistance. This new development also improves the fire performance of PV panels using our technology. The new technological approach is also more cost-effective. With this breakthrough, Solaxess offers a highly reliable and accessible solution for hundreds of module manufacturers worldwide to access the solar architecture. This new technology allows Solaxess to fill the gap for mass adoption of integrated photovoltaics (iPV).
• Overall, the Be-Smart partners have formulated a series of recommendation indicating the further steps to be followed to continue to optimize not only the technology but also the whole process in a BIPV project. These important recommendation will contribute to continuously decrease BIPV costs.

Be-Smart project logo