The holy grail of sustainable urbanism is to achieve energy self-sufficient buildings. For this to happen, several factors must come together: intelligent energy management systems based on IoT (Internet of Things)The event will focus on solutions based on reflective paints to prevent overheating, thermal insulation to maintain the temperature and, of course, technologies for the generation of renewable energy. After talking about solutions such as the use of pigments with reflective properties, solar roofs and windows with photovoltaic cellsThis time it's time for a different approach: a thin film with photovoltaic properties applied to concrete facades that could significantly multiply the generation of electricity. solar energy in buildings. This is the proposal developed by a concrete manufacturer together with a company specialising in the production of organic photovoltaic films.
According to its developers, because it has a much larger surface area, the system that integrates this type of one-millimetre-thick photovoltaic film into the concrete panels can produce twice as much energy as a solar roof. In fact, a ten-storey building with 60 % of its surface covered with HeliaFilm, as this energy solution is called, could cover 30 % of its electricity needs. The lightness of the material, which weighs 95 % less than a conventional solar panel, allows it to be integrated into the concrete without compromising the structural safety of the building.
In parallel, in addition to this type of hybrid solutions, which are presented as a new building material for new buildings, there is the possibility of applying another film model to existing buildings, which could improve their energy efficiency. And not only on concrete, but also on steel and glass thanks to translucent versions of this organic film.
The pilot test of this technology project has already been successfully implemented in Lyon (France) with twenty-five and forty square metre structures, to which another two hundred square metre structure will be added in 2019, when the commercial version is due to be launched.
