Dr Yanyi Sun
Faculties, deparments and locations
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment
- Department of Civil Engineering, Surveying and Construction Management
- School of Built Environment and Geography
- Penrhyn Road
Lecture
- Email:
- y.sun@kingston.ac.uk
About
As an expert in sustainable building technologies, building physics and energy efficiency, renewable energy and building performance, I am dedicated to integrating zero-carbon solutions into real-world scenarios.
In the field of academic research, I have dedicated myself to exploring and expanding our understanding of zero-carbon and energy-efficient technologies. My research has contributed significantly to advancements in solar energy utilization and optimizing building daylight performance, areas that are critical to the future of sustainable development and environmental stewardship. My involvement in numerous projects, under the auspices of prestigious funding bodies like the EPSRC and Innovate UK has allowed me to push the boundaries of what's possible in zero-carbon and sustainable building practices. In addition, I have been an active contributor to the academic community through my publications. My work has been recognized and cited in a range of high-impact scientific journals and international conferences, reflecting the relevance and impact of my research. Furthermore, my involvement in the editorial aspects of academic publishing and my advisory roles in the industry have allowed me to broaden my impact, influencing both current research directions and future technological developments.
In my capacity as a lecturer in construction management, I bring the latest research insights to the classroom. This allows me to effectively bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and their real-world applications, essential in steering the construction industry towards a zero-carbon future. This synergy between research and teaching has been a cornerstone of my academic approach, ensuring that the knowledge I impart is both current and highly relevant to the evolving needs of the construction industry.
Committed to advancing sustainable building technologies, I focus on preparing a new generation of construction professionals for sustainable practices. My goal is to contribute to the development of a responsible and environmentally conscious future in the construction industry.
Qualifications
- PhD Sustainable Energy Technology
- MSc Sustainable Building Technologies
- Bachler of Architecture
Domains
Courses taught
- Management in Construction (Civil Engineering) MSc
- Management in Construction MSc
- Structural Design and Construction Management MSc
- Structural Design and Construction Management with Sustainability MSc
- Quantity Surveying MSc
- Building Surveying MSc
- Building Surveying BSc (Hons)
- Construction Project Management BSc (Hons)
- Civil Engineering BEng (Hons)
- Civil Engineering MEng (Hons)
- Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons)
My research centers on Sustainable Building Technologies, Building Physics and Energy Efficiency, with a special emphasis on Solar Energy, Smart Façade and Building Daylight Performance. I have significantly contributed to five major research projects, funded by EPSRC, Innovate UK, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, driving advancements in sustainable building practices. With 43 peer-reviewed papers and a book chapter to my credit, achieving an overall citation count of 905 and an H-index of 17, my work not only contributes to academic discourse but also influences real-world sustainable solutions in building technologies.
Specialisms
- Sustainable Building Technologies
- Building Physics and Energy Efficiency
- Building Performance and Simulation
- Smart Façade
- Solar Energy
Scholarly affiliations
- Editorial Board Member of Journal of Building Design and Environment (2022-present)
- Guest Editor of Buildings (impact factor 3.8) (2023)
- Guest Editor of Energies (impact factor: 3.25) (2018)
- Conference committee member of International Conference of ZCBE (2023)
- Conference committee member of International SOLARIS Conference (2018)
Publications
Developing a comprehensive method for integrating the thermal, optical and electrical properties of a complex fenestration system into building simulation software for building performance characterisation
Li, Xue, Sun, Yanyi and Wu, Yupeng, 2025, Energy and Buildings (328), pp 115191
Investigation of a novel thermochemical reactor for medium- and low-temperature heating applications in buildings
Han, Xiaojing, Zeng, Cheng, Zhu, Zishang, Sun, Yanyi and Zhao, Xudong, 2024, Buildings (14), 10, pp 3192
Comprehensive investigation of a building integrated crossed compound parabolic concentrator photovoltaic window system : thermal, optical and electrical performance
Li, Xue, Li, Kexin, Sun, Yanyi, Wilson, Robin, Peng, Jinqing, Shanks, Katie, Mallick, Tapas and Wu, Yupeng, 2024, Renewable Energy (223), pp 119791
Development of a comprehensive method to estimate the optical, thermal and electrical performance of a complex PV window for building integration
Li, Xue, Sun, Yanyi, Liu, Xiao, Ming, Yang and Wu, Yupeng, 2024, Energy (294), pp 130251
Thermal performance of an advanced smart fenestration systems for low-energy buildings
Ming, Yang, Sun, Yanyi, Liu, Xin, Liu, Xiao and Wu, Yupeng, 2024, Applied Thermal Engineering (244), pp 122610
Simulation of daylight availability, visual comfort and view clarity for a novel window system with switchable blinds in classrooms
Bian, Yu, Chen, Yanan, Sun, Yanyi, Ma, Yuan, Yu, Daxing and Leng, Tianxiang, 2023, Building and Environment (235), pp 110243
Contrast-based evaluation of the reflected daylight glare on the blackboard in a classroom with complex fenestration systems
Bian, Yu, Chen, Yanan, Luo, Jianhe and Sun, Yanyi, 2023, Journal of Building Engineering (64), pp 105622
Optical evaluation of a smart transparent insulation material for window application
Ming, Yang, Sun, Yanyi, Liu, Xin, Liu, Xiao and Wu, Yupeng, 2022, Energy Conversion and Management: X (16), pp 100315
Direct spectral distribution characterisation using the Average Photon Energy for improved photovoltaic performance modelling
Daxini, Rajiv, Sun, Yanyi, Wilson, Robin and Wu, Yupeng, 2022, Renewable Energy (201), Part 1, pp 1176-1188
Comprehensive analysis of electrical-optical performance and application potential for 3D concentrating photovoltaic window
Zhang, Wei, Li, Jianhui, Xie, Lingzhi, Hao, Xia, Mallick, Tapas, Wu, Yupeng, Baig, Hasan, Shanks, Katie, Sun, Yanyi, Yan, Xiaoyu, Tian, Hao and Li, Zihao, 2022, Renewable Energy (189), pp 369-382
Switching daylight: Performance prediction of climate adaptive ETFE foil façades
Flor, Jan-Frederik, Liu, Xiao, Sun, Yanyi, Beccarelli, Paolo, Chilton, John and Wu, Yupeng, 2022, Building and Environment (209), pp 108650
Numerical investigation of a smart window system with thermotropic Parallel Slat Transparent Insulation Material for building energy conservation and daylight autonomy.
Sun, Yanyi, Wilson, Robin, Liu, Hao and Wu, Yupeng, 2021, Building and Environment (203), pp 108048
Energy and daylight performance of a smart window: Window integrated with thermotropic parallel slat-transparent insulation material
Sun, Yanyi, Liu, Xin, Ming, Yang, Liu, Xiao, Mahon, Daniel, Wilson, Robin, Liu, Hao, Eames, Philip and Wu, Yupeng, 2021, Applied Energy (293), pp 116826
Analysis of the daylight performance of window integrated photovoltaics systems
Sun, Yanyi, Liu, Dingming, Flor, Jan-Frederik, Shank, Katie, Baig, Hasan, Wilson, Robin, Liu, Hao, Sundaram, Senthilarasu, Mallick, Tapas K. and Wu, Yupeng, 2020, Renewable Energy (145), pp 153-163
Comprehensive evaluation of window-integrated semi-transparent PV for building daylight performance
Liu, Dingming, Sun, Yanyi, Wilson, Robin and Wu, Yupeng, 2020, Renewable Energy (145), pp 1399-1411
Mechanical analysis of photovoltaic panels with various boundary condition
Li, Yongxue, Xie, Lingzhi, Zhang, Tengyuan, Wu, Yupeng, Sun, Yanyi, Ni, Zhichun, Zhang, Jingquan, He, Bo and Zhao, Peng, 2020, Renewable Energy (145), pp 242-260
An exploration of the combined effects of NIR and VIS spectrally selective thermochromic materials on building performance
Liang, Runqi, Sun, Yanyi, Aburas, Marina, Wilson, Robin and Wu, Yupeng, 2019, Energy and Buildings (201), pp 149-162
An experimental analysis of the optical, thermal and power to weight performance of plastic and glass optics with AR coatings for embedded CPV windows
Shanks, Katie, Knowles, Ashley, Brierley, Adam, Baig, Hasan, Orr, Henry, Sun, Yanyi, Wu, Yupeng, Sundaram, Senthilarasu and Mallick, Tapas, 2019, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells (200), pp 110027
An optimal and comparison study on daylight and overall energy performance of double-glazed photovoltaics windows in cold region of China
Cheng, Yuanda, Gao, Min, Jia, Jie, Sun, Yanyi, Fan, Yi and Yu, Min, 2019, Energy (170), pp 356-366
Integrated semi-transparent cadmium telluride photovoltaic glazing into windows: Energy and daylight performance for different architecture designs
Sun, Yanyi, Shanks, Katie, Baig, Hasan, Zhang, Wei, Hao, Xia, Li, Yongxue, He, Bo, Wilson, Robin, Liu, Hao, Sundaram, Senthilarasu, Zhang, Jingquan, Xiec, Lingzhi, Mallick, Tapas and Wua, Yupeng, 2018, Applied Energy (231), pp 972-984
Study on the energy saving potential for semi-transparent PV window in southwest China
Tian, Hao, Zhang, Wei, Xie, Lingzhi, Wu, Yupeng, Sun, Yanyi, Chen, Mo, Wang, Wei and Wu, Xinwen, 2018, Energies (11), 11, pp 3239
Optical aspects and energy performance of switchable ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) foil cushions
Flor, Jan-Frederik, Liu, Dingming, Sun, Yanyi, Beccarelli, Paolo, Chilton, John and Wu, Yupeng, 2018, Applied Energy (229), pp 335-351
Investigation of Mg-Y coated gasochromic smart windows for building applications
Liang, Runqi, Liu, Dingming, Sun, Yanyi, Luo, Xuanli, Grant, David, Walker, Gavin and Wu, Yupeng, 2018, Building Simulation (12), 1, pp 99-112
Evaluation of the thermal and optical performance of thermochromic windows for office buildings in China
Liang, Runqi, Sun, Yanyi, Aburas, Marina, Wilson, Robin and Wu, Yupeng, 2018, Energy and Buildings (176), pp 216-231
A review of transparent insulation material (TIM) for building energy saving and daylight comfort
Sun, Yanyi, Wilson, Robin and Wu, Yupeng, 2018, Applied Energy (226), pp 713-729
A review of thermal and optical characterisation of complex window systems and their building performance prediction
Sun, Yanyi, Wu, Yupeng and Wilson, Robin, 2018, Applied Energy (222), pp 729-747
Glazing systems with parallel slats transparent insulation material (PS-TIM) : evaluation of building energy and daylight performance
Sun, Yanyi, Liang, Runqi, Wu, Yupeng, Wilson, Robin and Rutherford, Peter, 2018, Energy and Buildings (159), pp 213-227
Development of a comprehensive method to analyse glazing systems with Parallel Slat Transparent Insulation material (PS-TIM)
Sun, Yanyi, Liang, Runqi, Wu, Yupeng, Wilson, Robin and Rutherford, Peter, 2017, Applied Energy (205), pp 951-963
Analysis of the daylight performance of a glazing system with Parallel Slat Transparent Insulation Material (PS-TIM)
Sun, Yanyi, Wu, Yupeng and Wilson, Robin, 2017, Energy and Buildings (139), pp 616-633
Thermal evaluation of a double glazing façade system with integrated Parallel Slat Transparent Insulation Material (PS-TIM)
Sun, Yanyi, Wu, Yupeng, Wilson, Robin and Sun, Shuyue, 2016, Building and Environment (105), pp 69-81
Experimental measurement and numerical simulation of the thermal performance of a double glazing system with an interstitial Venetian blind
Sun, Yanyi, Wu, Yupeng, Wilson, Robin and Lu, Sixu, 2016, Building and Environment (103), pp 111-122
Modular solar system for building integration
Ren, Gang, Zhu, Zishang, Sun, Yanyi and Zhao, Xudong (2019). In: Zhao, Xudong, (eds.) and Ma, Xiaoli, (eds.), Advanced energy efficiency technologies for solar heating, cooling and power generation. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature, pp 143-163
Enhancing predictive modelling of smart windows via LSTM : dataset preparation for scenario optimization
Dostmohammadi, Mahziyar, Liang, Xing and Sun, Yanyi(2024). In: 1st International Conference of Net Zero Carbon Built Environment, 03-05 Jul 2024 :Nottingham, U.K.
Retrofitting office buildings : enhancing daylighting performance with switchable ETFE double-skin façades
Flor, Jan-F,, Sun, Yanyi, Beccarelli, Paolo, Wu, Yupeng and Chilton, John(2021). In: Structural Membranes 2021 – X International Conference on Textile Composites and Inflatable Structures, 13-14 Sep 2021 :Held online
Adaptive transparent insulation materials for window application : thermal and optical evaluation
Yang, Ming, Liu, Xiao, Xin, Liu, Sun, Yanyi and Wu, Yupeng(2021). In: 16th conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, 10-15 Oct 2021 :Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Switchable ETFE cushion : designing and building a model for experimental testing
Flor, Jan-Frederik, Sun, Yanyi, Beccarrelli, Paolo, Wu, Yupeng and Chilton, John(2019). In: IASS 2019: Form and Force, 7-10 Oct 2019 :Barcelona, Spain.
Switchable ETFE cushion : designing and building a model for experimental testing
Flor, Jan-Frederik, Sun, Yanyi, Beccarelli, Paolo, Wu, Yupeng and Chilton, John(2019). In: International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures: Structural Membranes 2019, 07-10 Oct 2019 :Barcelona, Spain.
Prototype optical modelling procedure and outdoor characterization of an embedded polyolefin crossed compound parabolic concentrator for integrated photovoltaic windows
Shanks, Katie, Knowles, Ashley, Brierly, Adam, Baig, Hasan, Sun, Yanyi, Wu, Yupeng and Mallick, Tapas(2019). In: CPV-15, the 15th International Conference on Concentrator Photovoltaics Systems, 25-27 Mar 2019 :Fes, Morocco.
Comprehensive assessment of advanced solar facade : thermal, optical and economic assessment
Liang, R., Sun, Yanyi, Wu, Y. and Wilson, R.(2019). In: 9th Edition of the International SOLARIS Conference, 30–31 Aug 2018 :Chengdu, China.
Study on lighting-heating-electricity coupled energy saving potential for STPV window in southwest China
Tian, Hao, Zhang, Wei, Xie, Lingzhi, Wu, Yupeng, Sun, Yanyi, Wang, Wei, Chen, Mo and Ball, Stephen(2018). In: 9th Edition of the International SOLARIS Conference (SOLARIS2018), 30–31 Aug 2018 :Chengdu, China
Experimental study on the thermal performance of ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) foil cushions
Flor, J.P., Sun, Y., Beccarelli, P., Rowell, C., Chilton, J. and Wu, Y.(2018). In: 9th Edition of the International SOLARIS Conference (SOLARIS2018), 30–31 Aug 2018 :Chengdu, China
The assembly of embedded systems for integrated pPhotovoltaic windows in rural buildings (E-IPB)
Shanks, K., Baig, Hasan, Knowles, Ashley, Brierley, Adam, Orr, Henry, Patel, Jayesh, Foster, Neil, Ball, Stephen, Sun, Yanyi, Wu, Yupeng, Senthilarasu, Sundaram and Mallick, Tappas(2018). In: 9th Edition of the International SOLARIS Conference (SOLARIS2018), 30–31 Aug 2018 :Chengdu, China
Cooperative performance of potentially developed thermochromic glazing under different climates
Liang, Runqi, Sun, Yanyi, Wilson, Robin and Wu, Yupeng(2018). In: 10th International Conference on Applied Energy (ICAE2018), 22-25 Aug 2018 :Hong Kong, China.
Evaluation of the colour properties of CdTe PV windows
Liua, Dingming, Sun, Yanyi, Liu, Xiao, Wilson, Robin and Wu, Yupeng(2018). In: 10th International Conference on Applied Energy (ICAE2018), 22-25 Aug 2018 :Hong Kong, China.
Integrated CdTe PV glazing into windows : energy and daylight performance for different window-to-wall ratio
Sun, Yanyi, Shanks, Katie, Baig, Hasan, Zhang, Wei, Hao, Xia, Li, Yongxue, He, Bo, Wilson, Robin, Liu, Hao, Sundaram, Senthilarasu, Zhang, Jingquan, Xie, Lingzhi, Mallic, Tapas and Wu, Yupeng(2018). In: 10th International Conference on Applied Energy (ICAE2018), 22-25 Aug 2018 :Hong Kong, China.
Numerical investigations on the thermal performance of adaptive ETFE foil cushions
Wang, Haomin, Flor, Jan-Frederik, Sun, Yanyi and Wu, Yupeng(2018). In: 10th International Conference on Applied Energy (ICAE2018), 22-25 Aug 2018 :Hong Kong, China.
Thermal and optical analysis of a passive heat recovery and storage system for greenhouse skin
Liu, Xiao, Gao, Hao, Sun, Yanyi, Wu, Yupeng, Martin, Benjamin, Chilton, John, Mirzaei, Parham, Zhang, Xingxing, Beccarelli, Paolo and Lau, Benson(2016). In: TENSINET – COST TU1303 International Symposium 2016 "Novel structural skins - Improving sustainability and efficiency through new structural textile materials and designs", 26-28 Oct 2016 :Newcastle, U.K.