Thermal evaluation of smart glazing under the climatic conditions of Benguerir, Morocco

Abstract

The present study examines the thermal and optical capabilities of a novel building glazing material -tungsten-doped vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ) smart glazing- with a focus on its potential to enhance adaptive thermal comfort in buildings. VO₂ is notable for its reversible semiconductor-to-metal phase transition, which induces dynamic optical behaviour, making it highly suitable for energy-efficient applications. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the glazing, four types of glazing (SiO 2 , undoped VO 2 , and VO 2 doped with 3% and 5% tungsten) were analysed under both summer and winter conditions in Benguerir, Morocco. A numerical thermal diagnostic method was employed, based on a simplified resistance/inertia model that couples external climatic conditions, building envelope characteristics, and internal heat gains to simulate indoor temperature profiles. The simulations employed a range of parameters derived from extant literature, with a uniform glazing thickness set at 6 mm. The findings of this study demonstrated that V 0.95 W 0.05 O 2 glazing offers optimal thermal regulation, reducing peak summer indoor temperatures by approximately 9°C compared to standard SiO₂ glazing, while maintaining winter indoor temperatures within a 21–23°C comfort range. Furthermore, it achieved transmitted energy values of 371 Wh/m² in summer and 896 Wh/m² in winter, indicating minimal seasonal energy flux variation. These results underscore the promise of smart glazing technologies, particularly tungsten-doped VO 2 , in reducing reliance on conventional HVAC systems and promoting sustainable, energy-efficient building design.