SageGlass® has been installed in an office suite at the Syracuse Center of Excellence (SyracuseCoE) headquarters.
Electronically tintable SageGlass, a product of Saint-Gobain, is included in a daylighting research project being conducted in collaboration with Siemens Industry, Inc., Building Technologies Division a strategic partner of the SyracuseCoE. The project will compare electrochromic glass and automated window blinds side-by-side to determine which product most effectively minimizes energy consumption while maintaining glare control and creating a comfortable environment for building occupants.
SageGlass was selected for this project for its ability to dynamically control sunlight to optimize daylight, maintain outdoor views, and enhance comfort by preventing glare and solar heat. By blocking sunlight on hot days, SageGlass dramatically reduces energy demand and the need for HVAC. Through this project, researchers from Syracuse University, Siemens Industry, Inc., Building Technologies Division and the SyracuseCoE will study the interactions between daylighting, occupant comfort, and energy used for lighting, heating and cooling in the building for both SageGlass and automated blinds. The SyracuseCoE building is equipped with window blinds that change angle based on the position of the sun and temperatures, automatically controlled by Siemens’ building management system.
“Automated window blinds and electrochromic glass are two of the most effective methods for solar control available today,” said Klaus Jank, Product Manager, US Room Level Controllers, at Siemens Industry, Inc., Building Technologies Division. “In partnership with the SyracuseCoE, our goal is to identify an optimized control scheme for integrating daylighting and electrical lighting, while using different technologies for dynamic exterior façades. This study will help improve the way building systems are managed.”
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum SyracuseCoE headquarters serves as a “living laboratory” to help companies and universities develop new products to improve energy efficiency in buildings. SyracuseCoE currently collaborates with more than 200 organizations, including Siemens Industry, Inc., Building Technologies Division, to address global challenges in clean and renewable energy, indoor environmental quality and water resources. As part of the partnership, Siemens Industry, Inc., Building Technologies Division finances research into energy efficiency and air quality in buildings.
According to Ed Bogucz, Executive Director at the Syracuse Center of Excellence, “Our mission at the Center is to accelerate innovations for clean energy and healthy buildings. With the daylighting research, we’re studying energy efficiency and human comfort in a whole new way to improve the indoor experience.”
“Electrochromic glass and automated blinds have been the traditional solutions for solar control for years and this study will help inform which is truly more effective,” said Alan McLenaghan, CEO of SageGlass. “We’re confident SageGlass will prove to be a superior solar management solution thanks to its ability to control sunlight and create a more comfortable environment for building occupants, without compromising outdoor views.”