Development of an Early-Stage Decision Support Tool for Optimizing Building Performance Using I-DIFFER Systems
Authors
Slatinac, Dean ; Semertzakis, Georgios
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-05-04
Pages
140
Abstract
We developed a simple hourly method to compare heating and cooling energy needs in traditional renovation solutions versus the new I-DIFFER concept. The method is implemented in an Excel spreadsheet and combines basic heat-balance calculations with straightforward rules that switch between three operating modes: preheating, cooling, and transparent insulation (insulation that lets in daylight). This enables a structured comparison of design options early in the process, before committing to time-consuming detailed simulations. We validated the method in two steps: first against measurements from a full-scale double-skin facade test facility at Aalborg University, and second against a modified IDA-ICE reference model using a standard climate dataset (DRY10). The comparisons showed good agreement in preheating and cooling modes, with larger deviations in the transparent insulation mode. Under the investigated assumptions, the results indicate that I-DIFFER may reduce annual energy use. However, detailed dynamic simulations are still needed for final design decisions and system sizing.
Vi har udviklet en enkel metode, der på timebasis kan sammenligne behovet for varme og køling i traditionelle renoveringsløsninger og i det nye I-DIFFER-koncept. Metoden er bygget i et Excel-ark og kombinerer simple varmeregnskaber med klare regler for at skifte mellem tre driftsmåder: forvarmning, køling og transparent isolering (isolering, der kan lukke dagslys ind). Det gør det muligt systematisk at sammenligne designvalg tidligt i processen, før man bruger tid på tunge, detaljerede simuleringer. Vi validerede metoden i to trin: først mod målinger fra et fuldskalaforsøg med en dobbelt facade (double-skin façade) på Aalborg Universitet, og derefter mod en tilpasset IDA-ICE-referencemodel med et standard klimadatasæt (DRY10). Sammenligningerne viste god overensstemmelse i forvarmnings- og køletilstande, mens afvigelserne var større i driftsmåden med transparent isolering. Resultaterne peger på, at I-DIFFER kan reducere det årlige energibehov under de undersøgte forudsætninger. Endelige designvalg og dimensionering kræver dog stadig detaljerede, dynamiske simuleringer.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]