A glare predictive control strategy for split-pane electrochromic windows: Visual comfort and energy-saving assessment

Split-pane electrochromic (EC) windows enable the control of glare and the effective utilization of sunlight by adjusting the color of individual window panes. However, existing EC control methods are often limited to specific cases or require extensive simulation work, resulting in a deficiency of generic control approaches. To solve this issue, this paper proposed a novel approach to EC window zoning control based on glare prediction. This method evaluated real-time discomfort glare for each EC window pane and effectively adjusted the tinting state of the split panes to mitigate glare. A typical office setting in Beijing was selected to simulate the impact of utilizing this method on the light environment and energy conservation. The simulation results demonstrate that this approach could effectively keep the discomfort glare probability (DGP) below 0.4, which belongs to perceptible glare. Compared to EC whole window control, it reduced the tinting area multiplier hours by 63.64%–71.43%, managed UDI values within the range of 40%–90%, and reduced lighting energy consumption by over 40.98%. The results confirmed the accuracy of the proposed method in glare control, the improvement of the lighting environment, and the significant reduction in lighting energy consumption, enhancing its substantial energy-saving potential.