Solar energy producing glass company ClearVue (ASX:CPV) has signed a consultancy agreement with multinational engineering group Arup to advance its smart façade technology.
The smart façade utilises solar glass at the front of the building, affecting both the architectural feel of the building as well as significantly improving energy efficiency.
ClearVue will work with Arup in regards to developing a wide variety of façade variations, from windows which automatically open and close based on building temperature to glass which adjusts its level of tinting to regulate the amount of natural light.
Arup’s façade engineering team will work with ClearVue over a period of 5 months and is expected to develop at least four different façade modules.
The team is led by Sydney-based building physicist Haico Schepers and will also involve engineering staff and students from the University of Sydney who are engaged through Arup.
The multinational boasts an impressive list of major projects, working on jobs as varied as the world’s longest sea crossing in Hong Kong, NATO’s Headquarters in Belgium and Perth’s Optus Stadium.
Commenting on the agreement, ClearVue executive chairman Victor Rosenberg said:
“This new work under the consultancy agreement further extends our relationship with ARUP but more importantly is a major milestone for ClearVue in preparing our multifunctional windows and smart façade designs to take them from concept to commercial reality and paving the way for ClearVue’s entry into the coming Smart City explosion.
“At the centre of, and the key to all of these concepts, is the ClearVue solar PV IGU powering the smart façade – at the glass – representing significant savings to building owners, developers, architects and engineers wanting to introduce smart façades into new building designs and retrofits for all of the benefits that a smart façade offers.”
All of the intellectual property of the agreement will remain with ClearVue and the company has committed to finalise the prototypes and supply façade designs to commercial manufacturers.
