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This research examines the performance of microalgae biofaçades regarding energy use and indoor environmental quality across different climate zones in the US.

March 28, 2026Open Access

Microalgae bio-reactive façade: biotechnological, building, and indoor environmental indicators in contrasted climate zones, the US as a numerical case study

Key Points

This research examines the performance of microalgae biofaçades regarding energy use and indoor environmental quality across different climate zones in the US.
Utilized a thermal-biological model to analyze performance
Gathered weather data from NREL between 2019 and 2023
Considered four locations from different US climate zones
Analyzed both office and household implementations with various orientations.
Hot climates significantly enhance microalgae production, doubling annual output in some cases
Biofaçades showed a slight energy advantage over conventional double-glazing in office settings
Indoor relative humidity was notably improved in dry-hot zones
The culture visibility influences indoor illumination for occupants across climate zones.

Abstract

This work investigates microalgae biofaçade performance in a holistic manner (biotechnological productivity, building energy use, indoor environmental indicators). These investigations are led using a thermal-biological model and weather data obtained from NREL over the years 2019 to 2023. To challenge the different findings, four locations, in four different US climate zones, are considered: Burlington, Vermont (6 A, cold-humid), Orlando, Florida (2 A, hot-humid), Missoula, Montana (6B, cold-dry) and Phoenix, Arizona (2B, hot-dry). Both office building and household implementations are covered, with South and North orientations. Hot regions allow for almost doubling microalgae production (from about 2.5 to 5 kg/year/module, South orientation). From a thermal standpoint, biofaçade modules offer a slight advantage compared to conventional double-glazing in the case of an office building implementation. This difference (0.42 0.07 GJ/year/module) ranges is consistent across climate zones and is mainly driven by the summer shading effect offer by the microalgae. Regarding indoor illumination, microalgae development is perceivable by occupants’ as a culture spans from 6 to 30 days (consistent for all the climate zones). Finally, biofaçade modules can improve indoor relative humidity comfort climate-wise. While irrelevant in 6 A and 2 A zones, it is worth considering in 6B zones, and very pertinent in 2B zones, as it drives adequate humidity moments from 19.7 % to 62.5 % of the time. • Biofaçades are considered a potential synergy between buildings and microalgae. • The system is studied in the case of an office building and a household in the US. • Contrasted climate zones are investigated (hot vs. cold, dry vs. humid). • Results shows consistent production and HVAC load patterns over the territory. • Biofaçades can substantially improve relative humidity comfort in dry-hot zones.

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