Informatietype:
Project
Thema:
Energy
Unit:
High Tech Industry

Thermochromic coatings: saving energy through coated windows

It takes a great deal of energy to heat and cool buildings. Applying special coatings to windows enables huge savings. This coating makes use of the Sun’s thermal radiation when heat is needed. It keeps the heat in during winter and out in summer. The switch from one mode to another is fully automatic thanks to the thermochromic coating.

Temperature-based switching

We developed the coating at Brightlands Materials Center. What sets this coating apart from those currently on the market is its much shorter payback time. But the yield is at least as good. Its secret lies in the thermochromic coating, which switches on or off at specific temperatures. Below a certain temperature, the coating admits infrared light, and thus heat. If the temperature rises above a pre-set value, the coating will block any incoming infrared light. This system is cheaper than current electrochromic systems and the glass remains transparent when blocking part of the sunlight.

Less energy and CO2

The fact that the glass does not discolour or darken eliminates a barrier preventing architects from using the system in their designs. And for major renovation projects, the coated glass is an affordable solution for saving energy. Calculations show that it’s possible to save up to 20% of a home’s total energy consumption, or even more. On average, that amounts to an annual saving of more than 600 euros per home. For the Netherlands as a whole, this would cut annual CO2 emissions by 4.5 megatons.

Global market

Many existing ‘smart’ window systems are effective either in hot areas or in cold regions. The thermochromic coating has been designed for temperate climates, which have summers and winters. This makes the product of interest to most of the world. The market for coated float glass, which is worth tens of billions of euros, is growing by around 8% per year. Because the thermochromic coating is cheaper than current coatings, it has great potential.

From lab to prototype

The efficacy of the thermochromic coating has now been proven in the lab. That’s a real breakthrough, as many companies and knowledge institutions have kept getting bogged down because the switching temperatures were too high. The newly developed coating can switch at any desired temperature. For homes, this is between 15 and 25 degrees. The plan is to create a prototype within 2 years that works under real-world conditions. That will pave the way for a market launch.

Interested?

Would you like to invest in the further development of this technology, or perhaps contribute in some other way? If so get in touch and reach out to Rolph Segers.

Get inspired

8 resultaten, getoond 1 t/m 5

PITCCH event: Showcasing Open Innovation

Informatietype:
Event
The PITCCH final event will share good practices from PITCCH collaborations, provide a stage for companies to debate open innovation strategies and a explore successful approaches to funding Open Innovation collaborations.
Startdatum:
Locatie:
Haus der Wirtschaft Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart – Bertha-Benz Hall

ESI symposium 2024

Informatietype:
Event
Startdatum:
Locatie:
Theatre De Schalm in Veldhoven, The Netherlands

TNO Semicon Innovation Day 2024

Informatietype:
Event
Startdatum:
Locatie:
Conference Centre, High Tech Campus 1 Eindhoven

World Energy Congress 2024

Informatietype:
Event
Startdatum:
-
Locatie:
Rotterdam

Africa Works! 2024 Green industrialisation: Made in Africa!

Informatietype:
Event
Startdatum:
Locatie:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute), Amsterdam