Advanced glazing technology for Australia - Research and application

The Built Environment is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas production through energy consumed in the operation of buildings (approximately 17.6% of total end-use energy in Australia - DPIE, 1990). Windows are responsible for a disproportionate amount of unwanted heat gain and loss between buildings and the environment and this has spurred international research into better window systems. This paper is a review of key Australian research and development in the field of advanced windows and glazings. In turn, the Australian R&D is being closely linked to new codes and rating systems for window energy performance. A key strategy for the Australian governments is the development of a Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) and the Building Energy Code of Australia (BECA), which will be discussed in this paper.