Abstract
In Europe, near zero energy buildings (NZEBs) represent the new frontier of energy efficiency in the built environment. Shifting the scale from NZEBs to net zero energy (NZE) settlements represents the opportunity to achieve further energy, environmental, and cost benefits, thanks to shared energy management, optimization of renewable energy systems, and microclimate mitigation. In particular, the last aspect takes advantage of the implementation of local microclimate mitigation strategies at a larger scale to improve settlements outdoor environmental conditions and citizens’ wellbeing. Furthermore, this inter-building scale mitigation involves relatively less severe working boundary conditions for buildings, able to both reduce building energy demand and improve HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system’s efficiency. In this study, this potential extra-energy saving, achievable without additional costs, is explored within the framework of a NZE settlement built in Italy thanks to an ongoing Horizon 2020 project. Improved working conditions for the operating air conditioning system and building energy savings thanks to settlement scale opportunities for microclimate mitigation are assessed. Findings show how this effect represents a further non-negligible energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable benefit achievable through the design and construction of NZE settlements. Potential energy savings are up to 24% when considering the double effect of microclimate mitigation.
Highlights
Urban heat island (UHI) is a well-acknowledged phenomenon strongly affecting cities’ thermal-energy performance and citizens’ wellbeing
In detail, cooling energy saving benefits were assessed from a twofold perspective: building energy demand reduction due to less severe outdoor boundary conditions and air conditioning system operational efficiency increase given microclimate mitigation affecting working conditions
The study was carried out perspective: building energy demand reduction due to less severe outdoor boundary conditions and air conditioning system operational efficiency increase given microclimate mitigation affecting working conditions
Summary
Urban heat island (UHI) is a well-acknowledged phenomenon strongly affecting cities’ thermal-energy performance and citizens’ wellbeing It consists of higher temperatures in dense urban environments with respect to the suburban and rural areas caused by anthropogenic heat, reduced heat losses, and increased solar radiation absorption [1]. Microclimate mitigation strategies have been studied to tackle the effect of climate change related phenomena [3] Among these technologies, those widely implemented are urban greenery, cool materials [4], and water-based evaporative systems [5]. Those widely implemented are urban greenery, cool materials [4], and water-based evaporative systems [5] These strategies can demonstrably improve the outdoor microclimate conditions in urban areas towards more livable cities and, help reduce buildings’ cooling energy consumption [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
