PEOPLEFrancesco Isaia

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Francesco Isaia

Senior Researcher
Institute for Renewable Energy

T +39 0471 055 758

francesco.isaia@eurac.edu

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9589-761X

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About

Graduated in Building Engineering at Politecnico di Torino in October 2014, after an experience in the field of Project and Construction Management in Milan, he starts a PhD in Energetics at Politecnico di Torino. From June to December 2018, he spends a visiting research period at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC) of the University of Wollogong (Australia). In July 2020 he obtains the PhD degree with the thesis “Exploiting the potential of adaptive building components by means of innovative control strategies”.

Francesco is now Senior Researcher within the Energy Efficient Buildings group of Eurac Research. His research topics concern the improvement of the energy performance and comfort conditions in buildings by exploiting advanced control strategies during operation.

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-isaia-56360096/
Research Gate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Francesco-Isaia

Scientific Publications

Conference proceedings article2025

Assessing solar performance in advanced facades: Comparative analysis of control strategies using a dynamic key performance indicator

Gazzin R, De Michele G, Isaia F, Pernigotto G, Gasparella A

Giuseppe De Michele, Francesco Isaia

Recent advancements in transparent façades that adapt to environmental conditions have improved energy efficiency and occupant comfort, addressing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. However, traditional metrics like SHGC may not accurately measure dynamic façade performance in real-world conditions due to their steady-state approach. In this work, a novel Key Performance Indicator KPI, i.e., the Daily Integrated SHGC, is utilized with EnergyPlus dynamic simulations to evaluate the solar performance of windows with various shading system configurations under different control logics. Findings indicate that the new KPI offers insights into the thermal impact of different control logics, allowing to account in the assessment also for dynamic environmental factors.

DOI Quelle

DOI: 10.26868/25222708.2025.1687

Conference proceedings article2025

Performance assessment of an adaptive opaque façade technology across diverse European climates: Energy efficiency and thermal comfort improvements

Qorbani MA, Isaia F, Juaristi M, Hensen JLM, Loonen RCGM

Francesco Isaia

This study evaluates the performance of ZERAF adaptive opaque façade configurations—Kinetic Cladding, Active Insulation, and their combination—against Standard Insulation using dynamic building energy simulations across six European climates for residential and office typologies. EnergyPlus source code modifications enabled accurate modeling of their dynamic behavior. Results show significant reductions in heating and cooling energy demand, with cooling savings more pronounced. In single-family houses, adaptive façades eliminated the need for active cooling in several climates. Heating reductions depended on winter solar availability, whereas in offices, high internal gains and limited adaptive façade area meant cooling was still required. These findings highlight the potential of adaptive façades to improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort while emphasizing the need for optimized control strategies.

DOI

DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/3140/2/022009

Journal article2025

Predictive control of polymer dispersed liquid crystal glazing for smart façade applications

Roberts JA, Isaia F, De Michele G, Pernigotto G, Gasparella A

Francesco Isaia, Giuseppe De Michele

This study investigates the development of a model-based predictive control strategy for polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) glazing in office buildings, addressing the lack of advanced control applications in existing literature, which are predominantly rule-based and reactive. The aim is to enhance building performance by dynamically managing solar and visible light transmission through PDLC glazing, thereby improving energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and visual quality. A simulation-based methodology was implemented using TRNSYS 18 for a case study office in Bolzano, Italy. The control framework employs a “controller and worker” configuration, where the controller represents the building and the workers simulate potential control actions. These actions are evaluated using a cost function that integrates key performance indicators (KPIs): total energy consumption, thermal comfort under direct solar exposure, and visual contact with the exterior. Three control modes were defined by adjusting cost function weights to prioritize energy savings, view quality, or thermal comfort. Glare was mitigated by excluding PDLC states exceeding a predefined daylight glare probability (DGP) threshold. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on prediction horizon, DGP threshold, and cost weights. Compared to baseline and rule-based controls, the predictive control demonstrated superior performance in balancing competing objectives. In energy mode, cooling season energy use was reduced by approximately 10%, while view mode maintained high visual contact with a 5% energy saving. This research contributes a novel, multi-objective predictive control approach for PDLC glazing, offering enhanced adaptability and performance in dynamic building environments, and advancing the integration of smart façade technologies in sustainable building design.

DOI Quelle

DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2025.114201

Journal article2024

Effectiveness and sustainability of solutions sets aimed at plus energy buildings: A multi-case and multi-domain investigation

Di Bari R, Turrin F, Leis H, Isaia F, Belleri A

Annamaria Belleri, Francesco Turrin, Francesco Isaia

Plus Energy Buildings (PEBs) are gaining attention in construction for providing advantages not only on the singular building but also on higher levels, namely neighbourhoods and national grids. Different from the current standard of net zero energy buildings, PEBs lack broader and holistic investigations that consider energy, environmental, and economic performance indicators. These are needed to evaluate their often-debated effectiveness and environmental sustainability. To this purpose, this work assesses technical equipment functional systems aimed at PEBs by considering energy, environmental and cost performance indicators and by carrying out a multi-case and multi-domain investigation.

A parametric modelling is carried out based on building energy simulations and user energy profile modelling in 16 case studies. Relevant Key Performance Indicators are derived and followed to attempt result clustering and to derive general considerations for the designed solution.

The study showed that the effectiveness of such systems is limited if PV modules are located on the roof exclusively. Moreover, heat pumps and PV technologies need to be better coupled and harmonised in subarctic regions. Overall, centralised systems perform better, and environmental and economic advantages depend on the national energy and economic context. Such results can be considered valid under the same conditions and circumstances; therefore, an extension of case studies is needed.

DOI Quelle

DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109914

Conference proceedings article2023

Assessing daylight illuminance and glare risk of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) glazing with Radiance

Roberts J, De Michele G, Isaia F, Pernigotto G, Gasparella A, Ghosh A, Avesani S

Giuseppe De Michele, Francesco Isaia

Projekt: EU FESR E2I@NOI - Definition eines Laborsystems zur Entwicklung, Charakterisierung und Übertragung von Technologien zur Schaffung von "Energie-Intelligenten Gebäuden"

The well-documented potential of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) glazing in building façade applications and the lack of detailed optical modelling represents a significant research gap. This work presents a detailed optical model of PDLC glazing, capable of accurately reproducing its characteristics, such as scattering in the translucent state, with Bidirectional Scattering Distribution Functions (BSDFs). This model allows advanced daylighting and glare simulations with Radiance to be carried out. The “aBSDF” material type is deemed necessary to accurately represent the beam component of solar radiation, allowing a more accurate glare calculation. Thanks to the detailed optical model, the PDLC’s unusual glare characteristics are revealed, whereby less transmissive states can lead to increased glare risk in some circumstances.

DOI Quelle

DOI: 10.26868/25222708.2023.1231

Journal article2023

Plasmochromic Modules for Smart Windows

Riganti M, Olivé J, Isaia F, Manca M

Francesco Isaia

Active glazing components, which can dynamically regulate incoming solar radiation, are particularly interesting, as they simultaneously impact multiple aspects, such as thermal and visual comfort and overall energy consumption. Near-infrared EC windows (also referred to as “plasmochromic”) enable selective spectral control of the incoming solar radiation and efficiently respond to ever-changing lighting, heating and cooling requirements. They allow to selectively filter a large amount of near-infrared solar radiation passing through the window, thus blocking solar heat gain during hot summer days and letting it permeate over sunny winter days whilst independently regulating the amount of daylight. This article delves into the core attributes of such glazing systems, showcasing recent advancements in their design and fabrication. By evaluating key metrics like luminous transmittance (T_LUM), solar transmittance (T_SOL), and total solar heat gain coefficient (g-value), the paper presents a preliminary performance assessment of smart glazing employing this technology. Furthermore, the authors prospect the importance of implementing appropriate control strategies for these systems to fully exploit their potential in reducing energy consumption while maximising comfort.

Special Issue Multifunctional Façades for Renovation through Industrialization

DOI Quelle

DOI: 10.47982/jfde.2023.2.T3

Technische
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Journal article2025

Predictive control of polymer dispersed liquid crystal glazing for smart façade applications

Roberts JA, Isaia F, De Michele G, Pernigotto G, Gasparella A

Francesco Isaia, Giuseppe De Michele

DOI Quelle

DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2025.114201

Francesco Isaia

About

Scientific Publications

Assessing solar performance in advanced facades: Comparative analysis of control strategies using a dynamic key performance indicator

Performance assessment of an adaptive opaque façade technology across diverse European climates: Energy efficiency and thermal comfort improvements

Predictive control of polymer dispersed liquid crystal glazing for smart façade applications

Effectiveness and sustainability of solutions sets aimed at plus energy buildings: A multi-case and multi-domain investigation

Assessing daylight illuminance and glare risk of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) glazing with Radiance

Plasmochromic Modules for Smart Windows

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Externe Inhalte

Scientific Publications

Assessing solar performance in advanced facades: Comparative analysis of control strategies using a dynamic key performance indicator

Performance assessment of an adaptive opaque façade technology across diverse European climates: Energy efficiency and thermal comfort improvements

Predictive control of polymer dispersed liquid crystal glazing for smart façade applications

Effectiveness and sustainability of solutions sets aimed at plus energy buildings: A multi-case and multi-domain investigation

Assessing daylight illuminance and glare risk of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) glazing with Radiance

Plasmochromic Modules for Smart Windows