Page 42 - ZEB Final Report 2009-2017

42 | ZEB Zero Emission Buildings | Final Report 2017

The Myth Busters

In their PhD theses, Steinar Grynning and Francesco Goia challenge the assumption
that large glass facades result in heat loss in zero emission buildings.

In the 90’s, preventing leakages around large areas of glass was hard facts. This is the way forward, says Grynning, who has
what was difficult. According to researchers, an even greater actively used the ZEB laboratories in his research.
challenge in the future will be that constructions are airtight Francesco Goia has a background as a technical architect
and too warm, even for Nordic climates. from the University of Turin, and during the course of five years
− I have worked a lot to optimize glass areas in office at ZEB he has worked with everything from components to
buildings, evaluating which characteristics best reduce designing and combining systems in test buildings, such as the
energy use and increase comfort. This has resulted in a better Living Lab and Test Cell.
understanding of the problems involved, and has contributed − I try to make use of good existing solutions so that they
refinements to the belief that large expanses of glass result in can support and optimize the performance of the building with
heat loss and high electricity bills, says Steinar Grynning. respect to glass facades. Good shading from the sun and local
Today, building specifications require windows to have a control in the building are key words here. You must be sure
U-value of 0,8. By way of comparison, windows in a 10-year-old that you do not heat when it is not necessary and that users can
house have a U-value of about 2,0. With values down towards feel comfortable without too much automation. In our opinion,
0,6, future solutions will not only keep energy use low but will, the research on the human aspects of ZEBs has been important.
in addition, achieve an improved indoor environment with As ZEB nears completion, Goia wants to look further afield,
respect to natural light. across national boundaries.
The industry, however, has been critical. Windows must − ZEB is unique in Europe. We must now apply the
tolerate variations in temperature and pressure and must be knowledge we have gained to develop solutions for other
robust enough to withstand transportation and installation. countries. Our research has potentially wide relevance. Now is
− We will continue to work so that we will be able to present the time to think big.

“Good shading from the
sun and local control in the
building are the key.”

Francesco Goia, Associate Professor, NTNU
(ZEB PhD) and Steinar Grynning, Senior
Researcher, SINTEF (ZEB PhD).