ZEB Test Cell Laboratory digital twins: assessing the textile SSF benefits in the Nordic region

A significant part of global energy consumption is related to buildings, most of which is consumed through façades. To address this issue, the Second-Skin Facade system is considered one of the most effective solutions for new and existing buildings. Furthermore, the use of textiles for building skin has been growing, creating smart, flexible, and advanced envelopes. The performance of the Second-Skin Façade depends strongly on the boundary conditions, and its adoption in the Nordic climate is scarcely investigated. In this research, the digital twin of the ZEB Test Cell Laboratory in Trondheim (Norway) is developed using a dynamic simulation software, then calibrated and validated based on experimental data. This digital twin is used to conduct a comparative numerical analysis to assess the potential benefit of the textile Second-Skin Façade in the Nordic region. Seven simulation cases have been realized in total, varying the control logic through four operating states based on the global vertical solar irradiation and the indoor and outdoor air temperatures. The results show that the Second-Skin Façade adoption allows the reduction of the yearly average indoor air temperature by up to 3.5°C, lowering the energy needs for heating and cooling demands by up to 21.4%.