Smart building EnVElope with solaR Energy STorage
In an era of smart technologies and predictive algorithms traditional building envelope still carries static properties unable to adapt to changing indoor/outdoor conditions. Innovating conceptually new building thermal envelope that can take an active part in building energy balance will turn a new page in development of nearly zero and zero energy buildings. The goal of this research is to develop Smart building EnVElope with solaR Energy STorage (EVEREST) that can absorb, accumulate and release solar energy covering heating demand of the building thus reducing its impact on climate change. In proposed building facade module state of art technologies will be combined – phase change material, solar concentrator, advanced insulation materials and dynamic components. Basic module, developed in previous projects using biomimetic approach, illustrates charging/discharging properties. Adding the dynamic component to the developed system will bring the proposed technology to the smart level. Two methods will be combined in this research – experimental tests in artificial environment and under real climatic conditions to test the advanced design of façade module and numerical simulation validated with experimental data. New scientific knowledge on upcoming technologies – dynamic building components providing solar energy storage and their capacity to reduce the heating demand will be gained in this project thus contributing to national and global energy efficiency goals.
PROJECT FUNDED BY:
Latvia’s state budget Fundamental and Applied Research Project
PROJECT DURATION:
January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026
PROJECT BUDGET:
300 000,00 EUR
SCIENTIFIC LEADER OF THE PROJECT:
Ruta Vanaga
PUBLISHED:
08.04.2024.

On June 13, 2025, Assoc. Prof. and senior researcher Ruta Vanaga participated in the Youth Participation Energy Community Events (POWERYOUTH) and presented the EVEREST-II project. During the event, participants were introduced to the operating principles of the prototype.
On June 11, 2025, student Ņikita Gorbatjuks defended his master’s thesis on the topic “Integration of phase transition materials into transparent structures of building facades”. Supervisors – Assoc. Prof. Ruta Vanaga and researcher Jānis Narbuts.
On May 14-16, 2025, researcher Jānis Narbuts participated in the international scientific conference “International Scientific Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies (CONECT 2025)”, presenting the study “Comparative Study Of The Thermal Properties Of Nanoparticle-Enhanced Phase Change Materials For Building Envelope Applications”.
On April 24, 2025, Assoc. Prof. and senior researcher Ruta Vanaga participated in the conference “Nature-Inspired Solutions for the Future” and gave a presentation on the topic “Biomimicry in Building Energy Efficiency. Innovative Facade Systems”. Within the framework of the conference, participants were introduced to the operating principles of the prototype.
On February 29, 2024, Associate Professor and Senior Researcher Ruta Vanaga participated in an interview on the radio program “On the Way Home” on “Radio Tev”. Listen to the interview HERE.
On February 29, 2024, Associate Professor and Leading Researcher Ruta Vanaga participated in an interview on the radio program “On the Way Home” on “Radio Tev”. Listen to the interview HERE.
The prototype of the EVEREST-II project was presented as part of the Circle Up project kick-off meeting on February 9, 2024. The project partners were introduced to the operating principles of the prototype.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
2024
- Vanaga, R., Narbuts, J., Zundāns, Z., Gušča, J. Systematic Literature Review of Software Tools for Modeling Heat Transfer in Phase Change Materials for Building Applications. No: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. Vol.1372: International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Green Technology, Vjetnama, Ho Chi Minh City, 10.-12. decembris, 2023. Bristol: IOP Publishing Ltd., 2024, Article number 012017. ISSN 1755-1307. e-ISSN 1755-1315. Pieejams: doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1372/1/012017
PARTICIPATION IN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES
2025
- International Scientific Conference “International Scientific Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies (CONECT 2025)” | Topic “Comparative Study Of The Thermal Properties Of Nanoparticle-Enhanced Phase Change Materials For Building Envelope Applications” | 14.-16.06.2025.