PHYSEE's Smart Windows: Transforming Buildings into Energy Hubs
Delft, Monday, 22 July 2024.
Dutch startup PHYSEE is revolutionizing sustainable architecture with its SmartSkin technology, integrating sensors and solar cells into glass facades. This innovative approach can reduce building energy consumption by up to 30%, paving the way for energy-neutral structures and addressing EU Green Deal requirements.
Innovative Technology: SmartSkin and PowerWindow
PHYSEE’s SmartSkin technology is a breakthrough in sustainable building design. By embedding sensors and solar cells into the glass facades of buildings, PHYSEE has created a dynamic skin that not only generates electricity but also optimizes energy use based on real-time data. This allows buildings to manage their own energy consumption, significantly reducing reliance on external power sources. On average, SmartSkin can reduce a building’s energy consumption by up to 30%[1].
Pivoting for Greater Impact
Initially focused on hardware, PHYSEE pivoted its business model during the Rise program to include hardware-enabled software solutions. This strategic shift has allowed the company to offer comprehensive energy management systems that not only include their innovative glass products but also provide data-driven insights to building operators. The pivot has positioned PHYSEE to cater to a broader market, including project developers and end-users, thereby amplifying its impact on the sustainable building sector[1].
Meeting EU Green Deal Standards
The EU Green Deal mandates that commercial buildings in member countries must achieve at least an energy label C by 2023. In the Netherlands alone, there are approximately 68,000 office buildings that do not meet this standard. PHYSEE sees a significant opportunity in retrofitting these buildings with its SmartSkin and PowerWindow technologies. By upgrading windows and facades, PHYSEE can help these buildings meet regulatory requirements while simultaneously reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions[1].
Strategic Partnerships and Investments
PHYSEE has secured a €4 million investment and formed partnerships with two global glass manufacturers. This financial backing and industrial support are crucial for scaling up production and accelerating the adoption of their technologies. Moreover, PHYSEE’s collaboration with Clean-Tech Real Estate Consortium, which led a recent funding round, highlights the growing interest in sustainable building solutions from the real estate sector[2].
Global Expansion and Recognition
PHYSEE’s innovative solutions have not only gained traction in the Netherlands but are also being recognized internationally. The company has installed its SmartSkin and PowerWindow technologies in several high-profile projects, including the headquarters of Goede Doelen Loterij, Rabobank office in Eindhoven, and the BOLD tower in Amsterdam. PHYSEE’s founders, Ferdinand Grapperhaus Jr. and Willem Kesteloo, were acknowledged as technology pioneers by the World Economic Forum, further cementing the company’s reputation as a leader in sustainable building technology[2].