Super insulation materials in the building sector: Field studies and future challenges

Paper in proceeding, 2018

The global rate of improvement in energy efficiency have to be increased to reach the UN sustainable development goals by 2030. Super insulation materials (SIM) can maintain the same thermal transmittance with a thinner insulation layer compared to conventional insulation materials. Recommendations and experiences from practical applications are needed to raise the knowledge and awareness of using SIM in buildings. Evidences related to real-condition performance need to be presented and independently assessed. The aim of this paper is to describe the state-of-the-art in the area of SIM in building applications based on monitoring data related to long-term performance of vacuum insulation panels (VIP). Both VIP and advanced porous materials (APM) have been successfully installed over the past 15 years in buildings. This paper presents a case study where the temperature and relative humidity of a wall were monitored for seven years. The results of the monitoring indicate that the VIP fulfil its function with no sign of degradation. By continuous product development, the performance of the SIM are improved for every generation which gives a promising outlook for the wider implementation of SIM in the building envelope.