Main content:
Switchable architectural glazing with electrochromic layers
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Office situation with floor-to-ceiling glazing. Left: the electrochromic glass in the darkened condition, right: the glass in the lightened condition.
© EControl-Glas GmbH & Co. KG
Dynamic switching from 10 to 60 per cent transmission: By utilising electrochromatic layers, it is possible to change the optical properties of glazing by applying an electrical voltage. The light transmission can be continuously reduced, but only as far as a specific degree of opacity that is blue coloured, whereby the transparency is always ensured. This research project is designed to optimise the production of electrochromic glazing. The intention is to reduce the energy input by around 70 per cent and to lower costs by increasing the automation. It is also planned to improve the optical properties by increasing the optical modulation to 10 per cent transmission in the darkened state and 60 per cent in the lightened state.
Technology summary
| Formal project title | Official project title: Development of energy-minimised processes for manufacturing electrochromic glazing |
|---|---|
| Term of project | 07/2010 bis 07/2013 |
| Technology status |  Market Launch |
| Key aspects |
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Project description
Electrochromic glazing systems have been under development for a number of years and have now been installed and tested in many pilot projects. In the last few years, the basic version of an electrochromic laminated glass has been developed as a product in terms of the process technology by the EControl-Glas company. With the construction of a production site in Plauen, Germany, the process stages can now be integrated and optimised.
Focus
Electrochromic glazing (EC glazing) can help save energy in glazed buildings. However, the overall energy required for manufacturing the glazing should be taken into account because, until now, several energy-intensive production stages have been involved in the manufacture of electrochromic glazing, ranging from tempering the glass, coating the glass in a high vacuum and activating the switchable layers.
The activation of the EC glazing is used to generate movable charges. With the current state of technology, this process not only consumes considerable energy but is also very time consuming, whereby the activation represents a bottleneck in the entire process chain. This project intends to find ways to considerably reduce the energy and time required for the activation.
The glass tempering (hardening) is designed to prevent thermal breakages when used in buildings. An alternative solution would be to use laser-cut glass panes that have a higher bending fracture stability. As part of the project, it needs to be shown that laser-cut glass can meet the requirements and properties required by electrochromic glazing systems, namely preventing thermal breakages and protecting the glass edges from cracking. In addition, in manufacturing the necessary thin layers, alternative materials and technologies are being tested to improve the energy efficiency of the process.
Successes
Dimmable, EControl solar protection glass is now available in double and triple glazing versions based on electrochromic laminated glass. Numerous pane shapes (triangle, trapezoidal, circular) can also be realised.
The EC composite pane can be laminated with additional panes.
Since the end of 2006, numerous building projects have already been fitted with EControl glazing. (See reference list at www.econtrol-glas.de)
Milestones
Information on this subject will become available as the project continues.
Application
Information on this subject will become available as the project continues. With the construction of a production site in Plauen, Germany, the process stages can now be integrated and optimised.
