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A peer-reviewed article of this preprint also exists.
This version is not peer-reviewed
Submitted:
04 January 2024
Posted:
05 January 2024
You are already at the latest version
Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
---|---|---|---|
Multi-purpose: Both the electricity and heat energy can be obtained from the same system [44] PVT system has better efficiency than the PV system [8] Flexible and efficient [44] Can help reduce fossil fuel consumption [3] Has wide application area [44] Inexpensive and convenient [44] It keeps the architectural uniformity on roofs [45] Installation cost may be reduced for the need of only one system to be installed instead of two systems [45] Lower space utilization than the two systems alone [45] Reduce the temperature of the photovoltaic panels and take advantage of the excess heat [8] Abundance of raw materials [46] |
The cost of installation can be relatively high [44] The absence of the sun at night and cloudy days [47] PV/T systems have a intermittent energy production depending on weather [3] Need for an energy storage system to address the issues of intermittency and meet local energy needs [4] Accumulated dust can reduce power output and therefore system efficiency [4] |
Improving the optical properties of the working fluid can improve efficiency [8] The better the performance of the PVT system, the higher the transmittance of visible light and solar infrared rays absorbed. [8] The thermal energy generated by the system can be convert to electrical energy by the Peltier effect [33] It can be integrated into a building and forms a part of the building (BIPVT) [48] PV/T systems integrated into the building envelope avoid additional land use [5] Can be integrated with other energy sources for enhanced efficiency [3] Can be coupled to another electricity production system [33] Applying PV systems to the roof can markedly decrease the heat flux through the roof [6] |
Planning of site and orientation [4] Exposure to the elements and risk of premature deterioration [46] The efficiency of the modules varies significantly depending on weather conditions, climate, and the presence of shading effects. [6] and [46] Thermal losses within the photovoltaic panel [33] Overproduction of electricity [46] |
Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
---|---|---|---|
Generate energy [9] Algae can grow in seawater, wastewater, or harshwater [9] Algae have a high rate of growth (higher than most other productive crops) [9] More microalgae species can be developed (compared to an open pond) [9] Can produce 5 to 10 times higher yields per aerial footprint (than open pond) [9] Biogas production [9,33] Significantly decrease the building’s energy demands [33] Biomass production high-efficiency (compared to open pond) [9,33] Preventing culture evaporation [33] Effective light distribution [33] Climate change resistance [33] Tubular PBRs do not need a specific orientation for good exposure to solar light [10] Lower environmental impact than solar panel [9] Need less area (compared to an open pond)Lower water consumption (compared to an open pond)Less weather dependent (compared to an open pond)Work also during the nightAvoid bacterial and dirt contamination [49] PBR design permits more effective use of light (compared to open ponds) [49] |
An ideal temperature range is required for algae to bloom (being 16 to 27°C) [9] Required indirect, middle-intensity light levels [9] Nutrients required (salinity, CO2, ammonia, phosphate...) [9] Specific pH required (7-9 is ideal) [9] Air circulation need (harvest CO2) [9] Initially require a higher investment (compared to an open pond) [49] Required a high control of algae cultivation [49] Lack of experience in building applications [18] Negative net present values (NPV) after 15 years [11] |
Algae production can be used for wastewater treatment [50] Oxygen production [50] CO2 capture capacity (absorbing as much as 85% of CO2 content) [50] The yield of oil production far exceeds that of soybeans (by 60 times) or palm (by 5 times) [50] Heat production (biogas-to-electricity conversion in the generator) [11] Recovering waste heat as steam supply [11] Able to produce food grade biomass (compared to open pond) [9] Able to produce by-products [33] Can produce light energy [33] Provide thermal insulation [33] |
A necessity to adapt algae species according to climate and location [18] Specific and tight regulations for real-life building [18] Need to study the lifetime of the system [18] Need to study the maintenance and cleaning requirements [18] Higher investment and production costs (compared to an open pond) [18] Not economically viable for the moment [18] Oxygen in the water affect directly the cultivation [9] Excessive light intensity can inhibit the photosynthesis process [33] Face a lack of natural light during the night that causes biomass losses (25%) [33] Risks of poor, or, non-performance [17] Other renewables produce more energy [17] Human health risks with some algae species [17] |
Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
---|---|---|---|
Reduced wind farms needs (off-grid system) [9] Limiting cables connection and infrastructure for electricity delivery [9] Decrease energy losses (off-grid system) [9] Wind wall are flexible systems (wind harvesting panels are demountable) [51] VAWTs wind walls are able to capture incoming wind from any direction (unlike HAWTs) [22] VAWTs wind walls do not need to be oriented [22] VAWTs wind walls can take advantage of turbulences [22] The noise is almost zero for normal winds and even for low winds with VAWTs [22] For VAWTs no yaw mechanisms are needed [22] VAWTs have lower wind startup speeds than typical HAWTs [22] |
Vibration and noise problems [22] Classic HAWTs need to be always aligned to the wind direction [22] VAWTs have decreased efficiency (than common HAWTs) [22] VAWTs have rotors located close to the ground where wind speeds are lower [22] VAWTs cannot take advantage of higher wind speeds above [22] Intermittent energy production depending on weather [22] |
Small wind turbines may be coupled to street lighting systems (smart lighting) [22] Can be paired with a photovoltaic system Can contribute to aesthetic design for the buildings (in double skin facade for instance) [22] VAWTs can be located nearer the ground [22] VAWTs may be built at locations where taller structures are prohibited [22] Wind walls minimizing glare circulating air [51] Wind walls control radiation [51] Wind walls provide insulation [51] Wind walls collection of heat [51] Wind walls generate energy [51] Wind walls sequester emissions [51] Wind walls provide aesthetic [51] Wind walls increase property value [51] |
Wind turbines have a negative response from the public [52] Visual pollution [52] Turbulent and low-velocity wind conditions in urban areas [52] Adjacent buildings can cause wind shadow [53] Urban terrain roughness is high [53] If close to the ground, turbines between 2 buildings may cause discomfort for pedestrians (high wind speed) [23] Heat effects may affect the turbine (buoyancy needs to be considered) [23] Turbines between 2 buildings need early urban planning in the design of neighboring buildings [23] |
Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
---|---|---|---|
Produce electricity [25,26,27] Does not require any fossil fuel [25] Has greater potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions than the 2 systems alone [25,26,27] Lower climate condition dependence than the 2 systems alone [27] Need less area than 2 separated systemsBetter LCOE (Levelized cost of electricity) [27] More environmental-friendly than the 2 systems alone [25,26] Better in terms of payback time than the 2 systems alone [27] More efficient than the 2 separated systems [27] The wind turbine can also rotate during the nighttime and improve the economics of the system by more electricity generation [25] |
Require a larger initial investment than a unique system (solar panels, wind turbines and energy storage) [27] Climate condition dependence[27] Intermittent production [27] Need more area than a unique solar or wind system [27] |
Coupled with a solar chimney, using mirrors can increase the heat gain of the system [25] Add a wind turbine and a solar chimney to a PV/T panels system reduce payback period [25] Add a wind turbine and a solar chimney to a PV/T panels system increase the potential to reduce CO2 emissions [25] Low operation and maintenance cost [25] Produce low noise [25] Can be equipped with a storage system for electricity and heat [25] Excess power can be sold [26] |
May not be sufficient to cover all needs [26] May not fit into areas with limited space [27] |
Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
---|---|---|---|
High conversion efficiency [54] Produce clean energy [31] Gas phase water splitting is predicted to require less energy [31] Efficient light absorption with minimal light scattering [30] Adaptable to many surfaces [30] [55] Provide aesthetic integration into the building envelope [30] [55] Easy and quick application with a simple brush [56] Low cost technology [55] It deliver an adjustable electrochemical performance [57] Environmentally friendly and emits no ozone-depleting substances after use [55] |
Very low efficiency [58] Doubt regarding the sustainability of this technology [55] |
A large moisture adsorption capacity for binding water molecules [30] It should be a semiconductor with good conductivity [30] Providing light adsorption capabilities [30] Feature high catalytic activity [30] Utilize the standard inverter technology employed by traditional solar cells for connecting to the electricity grid network [55] |
Competition with more efficient and reliable traditional solar cells [58] Very recent technology that necessitates additional studies to ascertain its viability [58] |
Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
---|---|---|---|
Generate energy [9] Algae can grow in seawater, wastewater, or harsh water [9] Algae have a high rate of growth (higher than most other productive crops) [9] Several levels of valorization (biogas, biofuel, bioethanol) [9] Work also during the night [33] Biomass production [33] Biogas production [33] Significantly decrease the building’s energy demands [33] Preventing culture evaporation [33] Effective light distribution [33] Climate change resistance [33] Lower environmental impact than a solar panel [9] |
Higher facade costs (multiplied by 10 for the BIQ Building) [33] An ideal temperature range is required for algae to bloom (being 16 to 27°C) [9] Required indirect, middle intensity light levels [9] Nutrients required (salinity, CO2, ammonia, phosphate...) [9] Specific pH required (7-9 is ideal) [9] Air circulation need (harvest C2) [9] Required a high control of algae cultivation [49] Lack of experience in building applications [18] |
Slidable PBR panels create a thermally controlled microclimate around the building [17,51] Slidable PBR panels reduce unwanted external sound transmission [17,51] Provide dynamic shading [17,51] Increase the energy-saving potential of the building [59] Maximizing daylight [51] Providing view [51] Circulating air [51] Control radiation [51] Rejection of heat [51] Sequestrating emissions [51] Absorbing emissions [51] Provide aesthetic [51] Increase property value [51] Bioluminescent algae can replace artificial lighting by night [59] Reduce wind effects [33] |
Need to study its adaptability to face natural and fire hazard [33] Design affects the microalgae growth and productivity (orientation, thickness, material, temperature, light intensity, CO2, nutrient, and water) [10] Real performances likely unknown (only one experimental application: BIQ Building) |
Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
---|---|---|---|
Very great capacity for growth [36] Work in the dark (for several hours even if the range is lower) [36] Improving water-use efficiency (considering the minor volume of starting culture) [36] Using a gel (which replaces the liquid reservoir normally used in conventional BPV devices [36] Great power output compared with conventional liquid culture-based BPV devices [36] Electrical output can be sustained for more than 100 hours (paper-based MFCs can only operate for 1 h) [36] Can provide a short burst of power [36] Disposable and environmentally friendly power [36] |
Low electricity production [36] Damage possibility of cyanobacteria cells during printing [36] Power output is less in the dark that in the light [36] Printed CNT cathode is a limiting factor in microbial fuel cell performance [36] |
Feasibility of using an inexpensive commercial inkjet printer without (really) affecting cell viability [36] Paper is an inexpensive widespread material and biodegradable [36] The potential of miniaturization for cyanobacteria culture [36] Use of high-performance CB could increase the power output [36] Use of desert CB might reduce the material and energy costs of scale-up [36] Could be developed for bioenergy wallpaper [36] Hydrogel between anode and cathode would improve the power output (by exposing the cathode to more air) [36] |
Solar energy is an intermittent energy source (inevitably drops in low light) [36] Production depends greatly on external conditions (location, weather, time of the day, and seasons of the year) [36] Optimizing cell design [36] |
Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
---|---|---|---|
It obtains clean electric energy [37] Realizing active energy saving of windows [60] The implementation of PV glazing and shading devices has the potential to decrease lighting loads and electricity consumption [6] Sustainable electricity production system [6] Integrated glazing reduces the environmental and economic impact of buildings [5] The CoPVTG device results to provide always the highest energy yield [61] Provide a uniform daylight distribution [6] Provide solar contribution control [6] Economically feasible [6] It can meet the needs of natural lighting while satisfying architectural aesthetics [37] CoPVTG devices provide higher energy yield than CoPEG [61] CoPVTG systems provide exploitable hot air [61] |
The performance of BIPV depends highly on the climate and location site [6] Intermittent electricity production depending on weather conditions [6] Building orientation affect performances of the system [6] |
Providing adequate ventilation (BIPV windows) [4] Reduce building cooling load or heat load [6,60] Can be installed as a facade window and balustrade or sloped as an exterior element [5] They are capable to insulate the building [61] PV windows demonstrated superior energy-saving performance compared to conventional insulating glass windows [62] PV insulating glass units have greater energy saving potential than PV double skin facades [62] Low-E coatings have the potential to minimize heat transfer through radiation [6] |
Colored modules can lead to significant efficiency losses depending on the materials and colors used [5] The timeframe for recovering energy investment and the associated uncertainty in greenhouse gas emissions remains unclear [5] Competition with traditional roof PV systems |
Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
---|---|---|---|
Convert ambient mechanical energy (from wind impact and water droplets) into electricity [39] Can be used for a self-powered smart window system [39] TENGs are transparent (don’t cover or sacrifice surface area window) [39] High transmittance of over 60% [39] Low water contact angle hysteresis with SLIPS addition [41] More efficient energy conversion with SLIPS addition [41,42] Anti-fouling, anti-icing, and drag reduction with SLIPS addition [41,42] Sustainable and renewable energy [63] Low cost [63] Lightweight [63] Take advantage of both wind and rain [39] Solid–solid/liquid–solid convertible TENG increases the conditions under which energy can be produced [40] |
Very low power output compared to conventional systems such as PV panels and wind turbines [41] Climate conditions dependence [39] Temperature and humidity may affect the performances of this system [39] |
Act as a rain-sensor to prevent rainwater from entering the house [41] Integrating an electrochromic device (ECD) (change color or opacity) [39] Can be paired with other electricity production system such as PV glasses [64] Can be used as a sensor for self-powered window closing system [41] |
Lower durability [65] Limited short circuit output current [65] Competition with more efficient and reliable systems |
Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
---|---|---|---|
Energy production on sunny days and rainy days [64] PV/TENG hybrid systems represent a great potential to complement vulnerable aspects of individual PV and TENG components [64] Good transparency (visible light transmittance (VLT) of 23.49%), color rendering (CRI of 92), and window insulation [64] Convert ambient mechanical energy (from water droplets) into electricity [39] Low water contact angle hysteresis with SLIPS addition [41] More efficient energy conversion with SLIPS addition [41] Anti-fouling, anti-icing, and drag reduction with SLIPS addition [41] Sustainable and renewable energy [63] Low cost [63] Lightweight [63] |
Very low power output [41] Specific transmittance (blue layer) [64] |
Shading effects [64] Hampered the heat transfer [64] Decreased the air temperature [64] Greenhouse applications (high plant growth factor of 25.3%) [64] |
Climatic conditions dependence [65] Lower durability [65] Limited short circuit output current [65] |
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