Design of a base Case Mixed-use Community and its Energy Performance

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a solar mixed-use community and the analysis of its performance, in term of total energy consumption and potential energy generation. The sample community, assumed located in northern climate combines residential and commercial buildings. It forms a base-case scenario, as part of a wide scope research program aimed at assessing the effects of multiple design parameters on the performance of such neighbourhoods and the development of design guidelines for energy sustainable neighbourhoods. Residential buildings include single-family houses and apartment buildings, while the commercial amenities include a primary school, an office building, retail and a supermarket. Energy simulations indicate that detached and attached houses can achieve an energy positive status, while apartment buildings and offices are capable of supplying only a small portion of their energy consumption, due to limited available roof surface. While apartment buildings represent 69% of the total annual energy demand of the neighbourhood, they contribute just 51% to total energy generation. The community as a whole generates annually 63% of its energy demand. These results suggest that efforts at optimizing energy performance of such neighbourhoods should be focussed on medium- to high-rise buildings such as office and apartment blocks.