Thermal
​1. Double low-E Glass
Taipei 101 incorporates a double-glazed curtain wall system that effectively reduces heat transfer, an important factor in improving thermal insulation. This double-glazed design not only prevents indoor heat loss but also reduces the entry of external heat. This is crucial in reducing the load on the air-conditioning system, especially during the summer months. Their high reflectivity allows them to block up to 50 per cent of solar heat gain.
Thermal Shield: Taipei 101's Insulating Glass Design
In addition, Taipei 101's glass curtain wall uses a low-e (low-E) coating, which reflects thermal radiation rather than absorbing it, further enhancing its thermal insulation. Low-E glass effectively blocks the transmission of ultraviolet and infrared rays, which not only helps to control the temperature inside the building but also reduces sun damage to interior decorations and furnishings.
Reference: (Svrohith, 2016)
Double Low-E-glass Curtain Wall
2. HVAC
Each of its 101 floors was air conditioned with four 19XR centrifuges,197 a-conditioners and 2233air-conwectors. The air supply system was integrated in the lighting system for better air distribution.
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HVAC System
The HVAC system consists of the chiller, the glycol chiller and the ice storage tank
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(Jaanissar, 2020)
HVAC System Operation
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The chiller produces chilled water for nighttime air conditioning
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The glycol chiller precools the glycol solution, which passes through the ice storage tank to supply daytime air conditioning.
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Variable air Volume (VAV) boxes per floor.
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Individual control provides the ability to vary temperature and wind speed
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Separate 24-hour chilled water supply for computer rooms provided upon request
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HVAC Supply
To ensure the optimum working environment, the design of the HVAC system is based on the standards of other world-class architectures, the local weather patterns and future operating strategies.
Standard floor: A variable air volume (VAV) single duct air supply method is used to supply air from the AHUs set up in the equipment floors of each section to the VAV terminal units on each floor. The ductwork is divided into two zones, the east side and the west side, and the air is supplied in the vertical direction from the three floors above and the four floors below the AHUs of each structural unit section as a group of zones. In addition, fresh air is also handled by the AHU of the same floor section. Taipei's winter climate conditions, some departments also need heating (electric heating), and the inner area needs cooling.
Podium: The air-conditioning supply method with fixed air volume and single duct is used to provide air-conditioning supply to the public areas through the AHUs installed in the mezzanine (intermediate floor) of each floor. In addition, chilled water and fresh air are supplied to the leasing area, and the fresh air is processed by PAHs installed in the mezzanine of each floor. Catering areas are located on the 1st, 4th and 5th basement floors of the podium, and kitchen exhaust ducts are provided for each rental shop. Degreasing hoods are provided on the 1st and 6th basement floors to remove oil before exhausting it into the atmosphere.
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Cooling Methods and Equipment
Both the podium and the tower are equipped with an ice storage air-conditioning system.
The equipment room of the podium is located on the 5th basement level, and the cold storage tank is located in the basement;
The equipment room of the tower is located on the 6th floor of the podium, and the cold storage tanks are configured on the 8th floor of the tower.
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The cooling source is provided by electrically cooled screw chillers. The ice storage system uses glycol duplex chillers and base-loaded chillers with static ice storage tanks, and the glycol duplex chillers produce ice at night and can also be operated as a standby during the day.
The nighttime ice production time is expected to be 8h for the podium and 7h for the tower;
The daytime ice-melter time is expected to be: 11h for the podium and 10h for the tower
Reference: Morning Sun HVAC Academy (2018)
By utilizing Energy Management and Control Systems (EMCS), building managers are able to adjust operating temperatures, modify chiller plant operating schedules and modify chilled water distribution according to actual tenant needs.
Indoor Temperaturee and air-conditioning campaign
In 2023, Taipei 101 joined the Ministry of Economic Affairs and launched an air-conditioning campaign, standardising the "suitable air-conditioning temperature for meetings 26°C±1" and "suitable air-conditioning temperature for dining 23°C±1" in business areas. Through research on various scientific indicators, the human body's comfortable state is 26°C during non-meal hours and 23°C during meal times, which can simultaneously ensure the comfort of consumers and energy conservation and carbon reduction for businesses, which is a win-win situation. The temperature setting of Taipei 101 also aligns with the LEED version 4 standard, where maintaining an internal temperature of at least 60°F (15°C) and no higher than 80°F (27°C)
Relative Humidity
By turning on the air-conditioning system and dehumidifier, the indoor humidity of Taipei 101 was controlled within an appropriate level and aligned with LEED version 4 standard, where LEED requires maintaining a relative humidity of no higher than 60%.
3. Vertical Variability of thermal comfort
Human thermal conditions at different levels were similar during the summer. During the other seasons, there were significant differences.
Thermal conditions could vary widely in winter at the three different levels in Taipei 101.
(Chen et al., 2014)
4. Thermal comfort Projection
The thermal comfort standard is an index of the thermal sensation known as the predicted mean vote (PMV) index. By using the CBE Thermal Comfort Tool and entering the relevant parameters according to the research, the PMV could be calculated. Since Taipei 101 did not state its indoor air speed, we assume the speed is equal to 0.2 m/s according to the ASHRAE standard. The calculation results are presented below.
The PMV is equal to 0.35, and the thermal comfort level complies with the ASHRAE Standard 55-2023. According to the right-hand side table, the thermal perception in Taipei 101 is neutral.
