The office buildings in Egypt, especially in Upper Egypt, reflect serious problems in achieving for energy efficiency as a result of increasing the use of mechanical refrigeration devices in office rooms, due to solar radiation and rising summer temperatures in recent years. Smart windows can play an important role in reducing significantly the energy consumption and maintaining energy inside buildings, also helps to control incoming solar radiation in order to minimize solar gain, especially in summer as well as ensuring the best natural lighting conditions without glare inside a room. This paper aims to evaluate the most efficient daylight and thermal performance of various types of the smart glazing and its impact on the energy consumption in the climatic conditions of one of the office buildings (Diwan governorate) in Sohag governorate as one of Upper Egypt governorates, with determining the best smart glass types for efficient use of energy. The paper follows the theoretical, applied, by studying types of smart glazing and their relation to achieving the energy efficiency. Then using (Energy Plus) simulation tool, which has been used in utilizing its modeling orientation (Design Builder) to study using types of smart glazing on the model of an office room in Building of Diwan governorate of Sohag in the four different orientations (North, East, South and West), when window-to-floor ratios (WFRs) (8%, 16%, 24% and 32%). The paper ends with a presentation of the most important results, recommendations and determination the best types of smart glass that provides energy, daylight without glare and providing greater comfort to users.
Benchmarking Energy Efficiency of Commercial Office Buildings in Kampala
