ASHRAE Journal - October 2019 - 6

INDUSTRY NEWS

ARNO SCHLÜTER

Study: Movable Solar
Panels Generate 50%
More Energy
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND-A research team at

a university in Switzerland, ETH
Zurich, has developed a building façade with a system of movable solar panels. These new solar
panels produce more energy than
the building uses in a year and also
allow the right amount of sunshine
into the building for more efficient
internal heating and cooling. The
panels are mounted to lightweight

steel cables and are controlled
by robotics to individually move
horizontally and vertically. The
researchers also studied energy
savings potential using the panels
in different climates and building
types.

B&G Reopens
Training Center
MORTON GROVE, ILL.-Xylem Bell & Gos-

sett recently reopened its Little
Red Schoolhouse training center
for professionals in the hydronic
heating and cooling and plumbing
industries.
An extensive remodeling project
transformed the facility into an
interactive learning environment

ASHRAE JOURNAL

ashrae.org

NEW YORK CITY-Lutron's new Com-

UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO

BUFFALO, N.Y.-A new radiative cooling
system-one that does not require
electricity-could cool buildings in
urban areas during the daytime.
The cooling system is made up of a
polymer/aluminum film, which is
installed inside a box that sits at the
bottom of a solar "shelter." Unlike
normal thermal radiation, which
emits heat in different directions,
this innovative system is able to

The film absorbs heat from the air inside the box and
directs it into the atmosphere.

beam the heat emissions in a specific, narrow direction. This setup
would function well in a city where
buildings are close together because
the heat could be emitted away from
other buildings.
where professionals receive handson training to better understand
how HVAC systems work.
New technology figures prominently into the redesigned training center, including a redesigned
mechanical room with various
pieces of equipment to simulate
system design and installation, providing attendees ways to gain knowledge about hydronic and steam
systems.

O C T O B E R 2 0 19

Lutron's new Commercial Experience Center
showcases lighting and control products in different settings.

Lutron Opens
Commercial
Experience Center

Solar panel movements are controlled by an adaptive
learning algorithm.

Electricity-Free
Systems Could Cool
Buildings

LUTRON

RENEWABLE ENERGY UPDATE

mercial Experience Center
spotlights the company's lighting
controls and new technology.
Architects, designers, contractors, developers and building
owners can see Lutron's inclusive
lighting and control capabilities
in the new center in Manhattan's
NoMad neighborhood just south
of Midtown. The center, which
opened Tuesday, showcases the
company's HXL approach-a
broad human-centric lighting
philosophy that uses natural
light, quality light, connection to
the outdoors and adaptive and
personalized control.
The 5,500 ft2 (510.9 m2) center
highlights Lutron's projects for a
variety of building types such as
offices, residence, educational
institutions and hotel rooms. The
space includes a complete model
hotel suite that uses Lutron's
guestroom control system.
Lutron Executive Vice President
Scott Hanna said the center's
immersive experience shows
how lighting and controls affect
different space types and people's sense of well-being.

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ASHRAE Journal - October 2019

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