Impact Analysis of Urban Morphology on Residential District Heat Energy Demand and Microclimate Based on Field Measurement Data

Yanxue Li,Weijun Gao,Dawei Wang,Shanshan Li

doi:10.3390/su13042070

Yanxue Li, Weijun Gao + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042070

Copy DOI

Abstract

In this work, we focus on investigating the relationship between urban morphology parameters and residential building space heating energy performance, comparing microclimate conditions of existing residential blocks with central heating supply. Firstly, a dataset composed of district morphological parameters that measured heat energy consumption was established. Then, effects of morphological indicators including cover ratio, average building height, and floor area ratio on building space heating energy efficiency were assessed specifically. Analysis results show that a larger floor area ratio induced a reduction in heating energy consumption density, the observed effect is notable at an initial increase of floor area ratio. Thirdly, the case study shows that the heating load of residential districts with a high built density is more sensitive to solar radiation. To further assess how and to what extent urban forms alter microclimates, on-site measurement investigated detailed changes in the thermal environment of selected residential districts before and after the operational stage of central heating supply. Analysis results demonstrate that heat energy delivered by a central heating supply could dampen the variations of local outdoor air temperatures, more notable for residential districts with a higher floor area ratio during the night period. Findings from this work would be useful for urban planners considering energy-efficient design practices.

Highlights

The mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is a key issue in reversing the trend of global climate change, with growing energy consumption and energy-related CO2 emissions being the main contributors to the challenge
The building sector is responsible for a large proportion of global energy consumption, so improving building energy efficiency is increasingly viewed as having an important role in sustainable development [1,2]
Driven by rapid urbanization over recent decades, the amount of energy used for building space heating in North China shows a sustained annual rising share of final energy consumption—it was responsible for approximately 21% of total building energy consumption in 2018 [3]

Summary

Introduction

The mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is a key issue in reversing the trend of global climate change, with growing energy consumption and energy-related CO2 emissions being the main contributors to the challenge. The building sector is responsible for a large proportion of global energy consumption, so improving building energy efficiency is increasingly viewed as having an important role in sustainable development [1,2]. Driven by rapid urbanization over recent decades, the amount of energy used for building space heating in North China shows a sustained annual rising share of final energy consumption—it was responsible for approximately 21% of total building energy consumption in 2018 [3]. In comparison with the developed world, the residential sector of developing countries is in an important position to tackle rising energy consumption due to rapid urban expansion. Different energy-saving measures have been implemented in the building sector in a bid to mitigate energy consumption, which can be mainly classified into passive and active energy-saving measures. A number of previous publications draw attention to retrofitting strategies and the exploitation of on-site renewable resources at the building

Results

Discussion

Conclusion