Clear-up develops new technological solutions, integrates new components and building control strategies in a holistic system, uses large scale tests at real buildings, and simulates the energy savings but also the uptake of resources and costs.
Energy optimized and resource efficient solutions will have top priority but their success will also depend on factors such as affordability, user acceptability, and the achieved indoor environment.
Clear-up considers such market aspects and puts the user at the centre of the design. It recognizes that the building must work for its occupants; otherwise they will take action to change it.
Clear-up will work on four key components of buildings:
[1] Sensors and control provide an underpinning technology for clear-up’s approach. New sensors will be developed for smart windows, demand controlled ventilation, and air purification.
[2] Air conditioning. Clear-up will improve demand controlled ventilation and the intelligent combination of natural and artificial ventilation.
[3] Walls. Clear-up uses photocatalytic materials for air purification and nano-porous vacuum insulation combined with phase change materials to passively control temperature.
[4] Windows. Clear-up uses shutters and electrochromic window foils which reduce the building cooling load and along with light-guide technology, reduce the need for artificial lighting. It incorporates controlled natural ventilation with integrated heat recovery potential reducing the need for heating in winter and cooling in summer.