The PV that covers the buildings
Soon it will be possible to realize the photovoltaic effect also with architectural elements of existing buildings, through the application of innovative coating materials. And 'the promise - and the goal - Specific Project, Sustainable Product Engineering Centre for Innovative Functional Industrial Coatings. This is an initiative which was set up at the University of British Swansea, who last October was awarded a grant of £ 20 million.
The premise of the project is simple and recalls the example of the United Kingdom, where there are buildings with roofs and facades that have an area of over four billion square meters. A considerable part of this surface could be used to capture the sun's rays and convert them into energy. The objective is thus to develop affordable coating materials and solar devices that can replace the covers traditionally used and come to 2020, through these technologies, to produce a third of the renewable energy generated in the UK.
According to the draft, in Swansea will consist of a center with engineers and technicians who will form a team engaged in the research and development of new coating materials made with nanotechnology aimed to further miniaturize the potential of thin-film photovoltaic modules, through flexible microchip and ultrathin applicable to elements in metal and glass for use in buildings, which can then be produced on an industrial scale and be used both in new buildings and in existing buildings, to enable the production of energy and reduce the environmental impact. An important factor, since 50% of CO2 emissions in the UK are derived from existing buildings.
In Specific converge the experience and the know-how of the partners participating in the project, including - in addition to some universities (Swansea, ICL, Bath, Strathclyde, Glyndwr and Bangor) - include British companies operating in the field of renewable energy and two world giants comeTata - leader in the steel industry - and Pilkington - largest manufacturer of glass for construction and automotive industries. For they have joined chemical companies such as BASF, Akzo Nobel, Beckers, Johnson Matthey and manufacturers of photovoltaic modules.
For the embodiment is provided the use of PET film on which are printed the microcircuits, with devices similar to ink jet printers, as if it were a paint or an ink, but in solar cells, but also usable on existing buildings. A manufacturing process by the relatively low cost, easily replicable for use at an industrial level and also applicable in completely different areas (for example, for the insertion of sensors for the control of vital functions in tesuti used in clothing).
According to Professor David Worsley Swansea University - which last May presented the project - the use of innovative materials in construction, which enable buildings to autonomously generate their own energy, it will become crucial to the goals of reducing CO2 emissions, together with the exploitation of other renewable energy sources. "But we must be able to effectively coordinate our work by working closely with our industry partners," noted Worsley.
20/11/2010
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Source:
Italian version of ReteArchitetti.it