Climatic Conditions Research Articles

Spatiotemporal modeling of the potential impact of climate change on shifts in bioclimatic zones in Morocco.

This study aims to contribute to the understanding of the impact of climate change on bioclimatic zones in Morocco, providing insights into potential shifts and emphasizing the need for adaptation measures to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems. To achieve this, we utilized eight general circulation models (GCMs) to simulate climate conditions under two representative concentration scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) for two future time points (2050 and 2070). The modeling of bioclimatic zone shifts was accomplished through the implementation of the random forest (RF) algorithm. Our findings indicate that the subhumid and humid areas are expected to experience the most significant shifts, particularly toward the semi-arid zone. Shifts from subhumid to semi-arid were the most pronounced, ranging from 17.91% (RCP8.5 in 2070) to 25.68% (RCP8.5 in 2050), while shifts from humid to semi-arid ranged from 10.16% (RCP4.5 in 2050) to 22.27% (RCP8.5 in 2070). The Saharan and arid zones are expected to be the least affected, with less than 1% and 11% of their original extent expected to change, respectively. Moreover, our results suggest that forest species such as Atlas cedar and oaks are among the most vulnerable to these shifts. Overall, this study highlights the inevitability of climate change's impact on Moroccan ecosystems and provides a basis for adaptation measures, especially considering the species adapted to the bioclimatic conditions that will dominate the respective affected regions.

Current and Future Distribution of the Cataglyphis nodus (Brullé, 1833) in the Middle East and North Africa

Climate change is a major threat to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which can cause significant harm to its plant and animal species. We predicted the habitat distribution of Cataglyphis nodus (Brullé, 1833) in MENA using MaxEnt models under current and future climate conditions. Our analysis indicates that the cooler regions of the MENA are projected to experience temperature increases of 1–2 °C by 2040 and 2–4 °C by the 2070s. Similarly, the warmer regions may anticipate rises of 0.5–2 °C by 2040 and 2–4 °C by the 2070s. MaxEnt model results for the current climate show good agreement with observations (mean area under the curve value of 0.975 and mean true statistical skill value of 0.8), indicating good potential habitat suitability for C. nodus. Significant factors affecting habitat suitability are elevation, mean monthly precipitation of the coldest quarter, temperature seasonality, and precipitation amount of the driest month. The research predicts that under Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 1.2.6, the habitat suitability area may increase by 6% in 2040, while SSP 3.7.0 (0.3%) and SSP 5.8.5 (2.6%) predict a decrease. For 2070, SSP 5.8.5 predicts a 2.2% reduction in habitat suitability, while SSP 1.2.6 (0.4%) and SSP 3.7.0 (1.3%) predict slight increases. The results provide insight into the potential impacts of climate change on the species and regional biodiversity changes associated with the projected species distribution.

Managing fire‐prone forests in a time of decreasing carbon carrying capacity

Changing climatic conditions are increasing overstory tree mortality in forests globally. This restructuring of the distribution of biomass is making already flammable forests more combustible, posing a major challenge for managing the transition to a lower biomass state. In western US dry conifer forests, tree density resulting from over a century of fire‐exclusion practices has increased the risk of high‐severity wildfire and susceptibility to climate‐driven mortality. Reducing dead fuel loads will require new approaches to mitigate risk to the remaining live trees by preparing forests to withstand future wildfire. Here, we used data from the Teakettle Experimental Forest in California to evaluate different prescribed fire burn frequencies and their impact on accumulated dead fuels after a 4‐year drought. Increasing burn frequency could reduce surface fuel build‐up but comes with additional challenges that will require creativity and experimentation to overcome.

New faunistic records of chironomids and phantom midges (Diptera, Chironomidae and Chaoboridae) from Ukraine indicate recent climatic refugia in the Eastern Carpathians.

The aquatic insect fauna of the Eastern Carpathians is poorly known, especially in Ukraine. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted faunistic surveys of Chironomidae and Chaoboridae in 2018 and 2021. The study involved sampling of 11 watercourses and 10 mountain lakes situated in the Ukrainian part of the Eastern Carpathians. A total of 101 taxa were identified, including 40 chironomid species and one genus that have been recorded for the first time from Ukraine. The occurrence of one species previously considered as "doubtfully present" in Ukraine was confirmed by this study. One of the two identified phantom midge species, Chaoborus(s. str.)obscuripes (van der Wulp, 1859), is recorded for the first time from Ukraine. The most intriguing records are chironomid species Cricotopus(s. str.)beckeri Hirvenoja, 1973, Eukiefferiellabedmari Vilchez-Quero & Laville, 1987, and Pseudorthocladius(s. str.)berthelemyi Moubayed, 1990. These species have Mediterranean distribution and their occurrence in the Eastern Carpathians could be remains of once-widespread populations that currently survive in the Carpathian refugia due to adverse climatic conditions in the former distribution area. The high number of first records from a relatively small number of sites indicates a great gap in the knowledge of the Ukrainian chironomid fauna.

Enhanced enrichment of rare earth elements during pedogenesis under subtropical climate

Rare earth elements (REE) are crucial strategic resources, and weathering-crust rare earth deposits are one of the primary sources. To systematically understand the geochemical behavior (e.g., enrichment and leaching) of REE in soils (or weathering crusts) formed from diverse parent rocks under varying climatic conditions, 171 soil profiles (weathering crusts) developed from three main types of parent rocks (granite, basalt, and carbonate rock) worldwide were studied. Granite shows the highest concentration of rare earth elements at 264 (interquartile range (IQR): 278) ppm, 171 (IQR: 151) ppm and 11.9 (IQR: 36.4) ppm in basalt and carbonate rock, respectively (median test: p < 0.05). The median REE values within the soil profiles were significantly different (median test: p < 0.05), with the concentration of 318 (IQR: 441) ppm, 267 (IQR: 217) ppm and 207 (IQR: 417) ppm in soils derived from granite, carbonate rock, and basalt, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Linear mixed-effects models (LME) revealed that soils developed from granite and basalt inherit the mineral characteristics of their parent rocks, with REE concentrations primarily influenced by the REE content of the parent rock and climate. In contrast, the REE concentrations in soils developed from carbonate rocks are predominantly controlled by climate. LME and correlation analysis indicates that the enrichment of REE (Q REE ) shows a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing with rising temperature and precipitation, due to variations host clay minerals. The greatest enrichment occurs in the subtropical region (mean annual temperature (MAT) = 15 ̶ 23 °C; mean annual precipitation (MAP) = 1000 ̶ 2000 mm); weathering-crust type REE deposits are primarily found in the subtropics.

A Lankan invasion? An intriguing case of the presence of a Sri Lankan endemic skink on the southwestern Indian Coast

The biota of the Indian subcontinent is a result of Gondwanan vicariance to some extent but largely through multiple faunal exchanges between neighbouring regions. However, in recent times, humans have influenced regional biotas through the human-mediated transport of many generalist species. In this study, we report populations of Lankascincus fallax, a skink species supposedly endemic to Sri Lanka, from the west coast of Kerala in India. We conducted morphological and genetic analysis to ascertain the identity of this species and to check whether the Indian population is monophyletic. We then performed a divergence dating analysis to test whether the presence of this population is a result of ancient dispersal into India or a result of more recent events. Additionally, we used species distribution modelling to test whether the Indian L. fallax is a result of natural dispersal into India during the past (mid-Pliocene to the last glacial maximum) when there were possible land bridges between India and Sri Lanka. We find that the Indian population is nested within the Sri Lankan L. fallax and that this population diverged from the Sri Lankan population very recently, during the Pleistocene. We do not find climatic suitability between the Indian west coast and Sri Lanka under current climatic conditions, or during the past suggesting no suitable dispersal corridors between India and Sri Lanka. Overall, we hypothesize that the Indian populations of L. fallax are likely a result of human-mediated transport into India and subsequent dispersal across the west coast of Kerala.

Estuarine ichthyofauna of Kamchatka: formation conditions, species diversity and ecological characterisation

Species composition of the estuarine ichthyofauna is described for the first time on a regional scale for Kamchatka Territory based on the materials of author’s field studies carried out in 2010–2022, as well as on the analysis of all available information (literature, archival, survey, fishery, etc.). Specific features of the conditions of formation of estuarine ichthyofauna of the region are revealed. Fish species dominating in abundance in Kamchatka estuaries are indicated. The main ecological groups (guilds) of estuarine fishes are outlined. It was found that 1 species of cyclostomes and 60 species of fishes belonging to 44 genera and 23 families can be attributed to the estuarine ichthyofauna of Kamchatka. All these species are, to varying degrees, euryhaline and therefore may utilize individual Kamchatka estuaries as habitats at various stages of the life cycle. The basis of species diversity of the ichthyofauna of Kamchatka estuaries is formed by marine fishes (at least 34 species), the second in importance are anadromous species (1 species of cyclostomes and 14 species of fishes), the minimum contribution belongs to freshwater resident fishes (13 species), which are found only in estuaries of some rivers of the region. Fish that can be referred to the ecological group of “solely estuarine” (i. e., those whose full life cycle takes place in estuaries) are probably absent in Kamchatka. The maximum species diversity of fish communutues is observed either in big Kamchatka estuaries that are largely open to the sea or in river basins with a diverse freshwater ichthyofauna. Environmental conditions in such estuaries are more favorable for the migrations and habitat of marine fish species (mainly coastal ichthyocene). At the same time, all anadromous or some freshwater euryhaline species may also use these same estuaries as temporary habitats at certain stages of the life cycle. Fish species diversity is significantly higher in the estuaries of the eastern coast of Kamchatka, which is explained by the milder climatic conditions of this area (compared to the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk), as well as by the greater typological diversity of estuaries. A separate section summarizes the currently available information on the biology and ecology of all species of fishes and fish of Kamchatka estuaries, which is presented in the form of brief species sketches (including, external view at individual stages of the life cycle; key morphological characters; maximum size and age; distribution over the territory of the region; habitat specifics, lifestyle and migrations; peculiarities of reproduction and development; feeding preferences; abundance in the region, commercial or economic importance).

Ecological responses to solar forcing during the Homerian Climate Anomaly recorded by varved sediments from Holzmaar, Germany

Features like solar cyclicities and trends as well as grand solar minima are used to attribute natural climate variability to solar forcing on decadal to millennial time scales. Here we focus on ecological responses of a Grand Solar Minimum on annually- laminated lake sediments from Holzmaar (Germany) covering the Homeric Climate Anomaly (HCA). Diatom assemblages and pigments of purple sulphur bacteria (Bphe a) analysed at decadal resolution document well-stratified conditions with relatively low lacustrine productivity prior to the HCA (2950–2750 cal. BP). Colder temperatures, a well-mixed water column and higher primary aquatic productivity established during the HCA (2750–2680 cal. BP) as indicated for Holzmaar by dominance of the planktonic diatom Stephanodiscus minutulus, decreasing Bphe a and peaking total chloropigment concentrations. The termination of the HCA after 2680 cal. BP is marked by additional anthropogenic signals related to deforestation that changed the catchment at the contemporaneous Bronze Age/Iron Age transition. Our high-resolution and well-dated multiproxy study based on varved sediments contributes to a better understanding of decadal-scale responses of aquatic ecosystems to solar forcing and compares well with hypotheses suggested by other investigations indicating colder and more windy climatic conditions as the consequences of a Grand Solar Minimum for mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

Optimization of Residential Hydrogen Facilities with Waste Heat Recovery: Economic Feasibility across Various European Cities

The European Union has established ambitious targets for lowering carbon dioxide emissions in the residential sector, aiming for all new buildings to be “zero-emission” by 2030. Integrating solar generators with hydrogen storage systems is emerging as a viable solution for achieving these goals in homes. This paper introduces a linear programming optimization algorithm aimed at improving the installation capacity of residential solar–hydrogen systems, which also utilize waste heat recovery from electrolyzers and fuel cells to increase the overall efficiency of the system. Analyzing six European cities with diverse climate conditions, our techno-economic assessments show that optimized configurations of these systems can lead to significant net present cost savings for electricity and heat over a 20-year period, with potential savings up to EUR 63,000, which amounts to a 26% cost reduction, especially in Southern Europe due to its abundant solar resources. Furthermore, these systems enhance sustainability and viability in the residential sector by significantly reducing carbon emissions. Our study does not account for the potential economic benefits from EU subsidies. Instead, we propose a novel incentive policy that allows owners of solar–hydrogen systems to inject up to 20% of their total solar power output directly into the grid, bypassing hydrogen storage. This strategy provides two key advantages: first, it enables owners to profit by selling the excess photovoltaic power during peak midday hours, rather than curtailing production; second, it facilitates a reduction in the size—and therefore cost—of the electrolyzer.

Energy-Saving Optimization of HVAC Systems Using an Ant Lion Optimizer with Enhancements

The complex and time-varying external climate conditions and multi-equipment variable coupling characteristics make it challenging to optimize the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in existing buildings effectively. Additionally, the intricate energy exchange processes within HVAC systems present difficulties in developing accurate and generalizable energy consumption models. In response to these challenges, this paper proposes an Ant Lion Optimizer with Enhancements (ALOE) that can dynamically adjust the number of populations and the movement trend to improve the convergence speed and optimization ability, and randomly adjust the movement amplitude to enhance the local optimal escape ability. Finally, a case study of an office building in Hangzhou was carried out, and an overall energy consumption model of the HVAC system based on parameter identification and a general mechanism model was established. In this model, the energy-saving optimization effects of various advanced swarm intelligence optimization algorithms were compared. The experimental results demonstrate that under high, medium, and low load conditions, the ALOE algorithm achieves energy-saving rates of 28.16%, 28.26%, and 24.85%, respectively, the overall energy-saving rate for the entire day reaches 29.06%, which indicates the ALOE has significant superiority. This work will contribute to the development of energy-saving and emission-reduction technologies.

Spatiotemporal evolution of air-sea CO2 flux in the Northwest Pacific and its response to ENSO

Global warming, driven by human activities since the Industrial Revolution, has significantly elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, leading to higher global temperatures and a rise in extreme weather events. The ocean, as a major carbon sink, has absorbed about 30% of human-induced carbon emissions, helping mitigate global warming’s impacts. This study examines the spatiotemporal distribution of air-sea CO2 flux in the Northwest Pacific from 1982 to 2021 and its response to El Niño-Southern Oscillation, using Empirical Orthogonal Function and composite analysis. The seasonal patterns of air-sea CO2 flux and the influence of environmental factors were further evaluated. The results show that air-sea CO2 flux in the Northwest Pacific exhibits clear seasonal fluctuations. In winter, high-latitude areas act as significant carbon sources. Strong winds deepen the mixed layer, promoting CO2 release from the ocean into the atmosphere. In contrast, in summer, longer daylight hours, rising SST, and melting sea ice lead to upwelling, which brings nutrients to the surface and stimulates phytoplankton growth. This process turns the region into a carbon sink as phytoplankton growth, driven by intense sunlight, enhances the ocean’s CO2 absorption. The mid-latitude region consistently acts as a carbon sink year-round. During El Niño events, more negative air-sea CO2 flux anomalies appear in the eastern Northwest Pacific, enhancing carbon uptake. La Niña events have the opposite effect in the eastern regions. These findings highlight the Northwest Pacific’s critical role in modulating regional and global carbon cycles under varying climatic conditions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for improving predictions of future climate impacts and for developing effective strategies to mitigate global warming.

Millets and sorghum as promising alternatives to maize for enhancing climate change adaptation strategies in the Mediterranean Basin

ContextClimate change is increasingly requiring the adoption of both climate-resilient alternative crops and sustainable management practices. Millets and sorghum are increasingly recommended as alternatives to maize in addressing these issues, yet there are no studies comparing the environmental impacts of food-crop millets and sorghum with maize, under sustainable management in Mediterranean area. ObjectiveThe present study examined for the first time the environmental and economic impacts, as well as agronomic performances, of rainfed cultivated proso millet, sorghum and maize over a three-year period under challenging climatic conditions in Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. MethodsDifferent kinds of trials were realized during three years of experimentation in one location in Ravenna province. The first trial aimed to compare proso millet, sorghum and maize agronomical performances and water use efficiency in a low-input system. The second trial aimed to compare soil fertility and biodiversity impacts of two different agronomical management systems (low-input and high input) for the summer crops previously described. Soil basic fertility parameters were monitored and ground dwelling arthropods were collected and analyzed using pitfall traps. The last trial of this study intended to evaluate the environmental and economic performances of the previous cereal crops cultivated in the low-input and high-input systems, applying the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Life Cycle Costing (LCC) methodologies. ResultsBoth organic sorghum and millet showed high potential as viable summer-crop alternatives, not only to organic maize, based on yield, water use efficiency, disease tolerance and weed competition, but also to conventional maize, based on reduced environmental and economic impacts. Positive land impacts including improved beneficial arthropod abundances and preserved soil fertility were evident under organic management. In fact, the comparative LCA and LCC, carried out with primary data from conventionally cultivated maize and sorghum within central-north Italy and the organic experimental field under investigation, showed that the Global Warming and Eutrophication Potential, were comparable between the organically cultivated crops and significantly lower than conventional maize and sorghum. ConclusionsThe results highlighted the potential of sorghum and millet cultivation as rainfed summer-crop alternative to maize in climate-change context, especially in low-input agronomical systems. In particular, under rainfed, organic management over three years, proso millet yielded consistently. ImplicationsUnder the sustainable practices of the present study, proso millet outperformed maize for yield and WUE stability, as well as potential costs saved, related to the production amount per unit area and potential revenue.

Influence of degree of saturation on the thermal conductivity of soils: Experimental and comparative model analysis

The thermal conductivity can characterize thermal behaviour of soils in different engineering studies: environmental, geothermal, geotechnical and buildings construction. However, accurately measuring and predicting this parameter poses a challenging task. Measuring this parameter can be very complex, considering several factors, such as soil heterogeneity and external climatic conditions. In addition, predictions models may not capture all the nuances of real-world soil conditions, leading to less accurate predictions of ?. The objectives of this paper encompassed two primary aspects: (i) Evaluation of laboratory tests of thermal conductivity of unsaturated soil. (ii) Assessment of five highly recommended soil thermal conductivity models to determine their validity and strengthen their trustworthiness. The studied material consisted of calcareous tufa locally available in Beni-Saf region (Algeria). The tested samples were compacted to the Standard and Modified Proctor Optimum (SPO, MPO) followed by drying periods under laboratory conditions. The thermal conductivity of samples was evaluated using transient method. The models’ predictive results of the thermal conductivity were assessed with different criteria such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and Coefficient of Determination R². Furthermore, this work also attempts to deliver an in-depth discussion of the effect of degree of saturation Sr on the thermal conductivity of soils.

On the Emergence of Shipping Container Homes: Adaptation to Future Climate Projections

Upcycling shipping containers for housing is increasingly recognised as a sustainable solution to housing challenges, particularly in developing economies like Nigeria. This study evaluates the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of shipping container homes under climate conditions projected for 2080. Using meteorological data for Abuja and Lagos under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5, a stand-alone shipping container home was simulated. The study incorporated fabric optimisation techniques, using polyurethane foam and polyisocyanurate board insulation, high-performance window glazing, and shading strategies. The findings reveal that without intervention, container homes would experience significant thermal discomfort, with annual discomfort hours exceeding 28°C in both cities. However, with insulation and shading, annual discomfort hours were reduced by up to 87%, and energy consumption decreased by 76%. These results highlight the critical role of insulation and shading in enhancing thermal comfort and reducing energy demand, making container homes a viable solution for sustainable housing in hot climates. The study underscores the need for policy support to promote the integration of advanced insulation and adaptive design strategies to ensure the resilience and sustainability of container homes in future climates.

Preserving Cultural Heritage: Enhancing Limestone Durability with Nano-TiO2 Coating

External and internal microclimatic conditions, biodeterioration, anthropogenic factors, etc, influence the natural stone support for artifacts and built heritage. Based on this fact, the present study explores the effectiveness of nano-TiO2 in preserving and enhancing the durability of natural stone used in the façades of heritage buildings, focusing on the Markovits-Mathéser House in Oradea Municipality, Romania. The investigation involved treating rock samples (fossiliferous limestone) with 2% and 5% nano-TiO2 solutions and subjecting them to simulated extreme climatic conditions for the analyzed area in a controlled climatic chamber for six months. The treated samples demonstrated a significantly higher compressive strength than untreated benchmarks. SEM analyses confirmed that nano-TiO2 formed a protective layer, filling micro-cracks and pores, thereby enhancing the stone’s resistance to environmental stressors. The study also found that the nanoparticle coating maintained its integrity under extreme temperature and humidity variations, with only a slight decrease in surface coverage. These findings suggest that nano-TiO2 coatings significantly improve heritage building materials’ mechanical properties and longevity. However, the study highlights the importance of careful application and long-term evaluation to ensure environmental and health safety. Overall, nano-TiO2 presents a promising solution for the conservation of cultural heritage, offering enhanced durability and protection against climatic and environmental challenges. Further research is recommended to optimize application workflow and formulations for broader and more effective use in heritage conservation.

Predictability and prediction skill of summertime East/Japan Sea surface temperature events

The East/Japan Sea (EJS), a marginal sea of the Northwestern Pacific, is one of the ocean regions showing the most rapid warming and greatest increases in ocean heatwaves over the last several decades. Predictability and skillful prediction of the summer season EJS variability are crucial, given the increasing severity of ocean temperature events impacting fisheries and reinforcing climate conditions like the East Asian rainy season, which in turn affects adjacent high-population density areas over East Asia. We use observations and the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) Seamless System for Prediction and Earth System Research (SPEAR) seasonal forecast system to investigate the summertime EJS Sea Surface Temperature (SST) predictability and prediction skill. The observations and seasonal prediction system show that the summer season EJS SST can be closely linked to the previous winter air-sea coupling and predictable 8–9 months in advance. The SPEAR seasonal prediction system demonstrates skillful forecast of EJS SST events from summer to late fall, with added skill for long-lead forecasts initialized in winter. We find that winter large-scale atmospheric circulations linked to Barents Sea variability can induce persistent surface wind anomalies and corresponding northward Ekman heat transport over the East China Sea. The ocean advection anomalies that enter the EJS in prior seasons appear to play a role in developing anomalous SST during summer, along with instantaneous atmospheric forcing, as the source of long-lead predictability. Our findings provide potential applications of large-scale ocean-atmosphere interactions in understanding and predicting seasonal variability of East Asian marginal seas.

An experimental assessment of a solar PVT-PCM thermal management system in severe climatic conditions

Solar photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors incorporating phase change material (PCM) as an active-passive cooling approach represent a promising solution for thermally managing PV panels. This needs to be experimentally evaluated in harsh outdoor conditions. Therefore, this study examined the electrical and thermal performance of solar PVT systems in comparison to a reference PV panel during six distinct summer days in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A thermal camera was utilized to precisely capture the difference in temperature variations between the two PV panels over the study periods and to examine different options for the PVT collector. On Day 3, near noon, the highest solar irradiance of 1019 W/m2 led to the highest power of the PVT, with an increase of 5.75 % over the reference panel. The highest ambient temperature of 47.69 °C was recorded on Day 1 with 901.4 W/m2 irradiance, providing 10.58 % electrical efficiency of the PVT, an increase of 5.9 %. On Day 6, the PVT module was equipped with eight rectangular metal conduits that were filled with PCM with a transition temperature range of 41–48 °C. This simple-to-implement design added additional passive cooling for the system through the exterior surface of the metal conduits, along with the PCM contribution. The PTV-PCM option led to the best performance, with an 8.05 % improvement in electrical power and efficiency over the reference PV and 71.16 % and 81.50 % thermal and combined PVT efficiencies, respectively. The importance of cooling the PV panel in such challenging circumstances was illustrated by the 2 %–3.24 % increase in electrical output for every 1 °C decrease in the temperature of the cells.

Methodology for Generating a Reference Wind Year for Offshore Wind Energy: A Case Study in La Guajira, Colombia

Due to its excellent potential, wind power has gained importance as a renewable energy source in Colombia, especially in the offshore Caribbean region. However, one of the main challenges in the development of offshore wind projects is the analysis of the wind resource. This study presents the generation of a specific typical meteorological year (TMY) for wind energy in the Colombian Caribbean region, known in the literature as Reference Wind Year (RWY). The methodology used was based on the Sandia method, widely accepted in the analysis of wind resources. A comparison between the cumulative distribution function (CDF) and the statistic approach Finkelstein-Schafer (FS) was applied to evaluate multiple meteorological parameters in the study area associated with wind resource potential assessment, such as wind speed and direction, temperature and atmospheric pressure, compiled for 10 years (2012-2021). The representative years were weighted according to their importance and combined into a dataset. The results indicated that the proposed method was able to generate highly representative and accurate data for the case study in La Guajira, Colombia, guaranteeing its suitability for implementation in other locations with different climatic conditions.

Quantifying and Rating the Energy Resilience Performance of Buildings Integrated with Renewables in the Nordics under Typical and Extreme Climatic Conditions

The future buildings and society need to be resilient. This article aims to propose a novel concept of the energy resilience framework and implement a color-based rating system to quantify and rate the energy resilience performance of buildings in Nordic climates. The objective is to conduct a comparative analysis between old (1970s) and new (2020s) single-family buildings integrated with renewable energy sources and storage, assessing their energy resilience performance for heating during power outages, under extreme and typical climatic conditions. The study utilizes dynamic simulation of the buildings and renewable energy systems, conducting parametric studies to calculate proposed resilience indicators and rate their resilience performance, employing both passive and active methods. The total costs of the design variables are also calculated for economic evaluation. Given the complexities arising from climate change, the article uses a simplified method to synthesize regional climate to consider extreme climate change impacts on energy resilience performance. For the old building lacking PV, the robustness duration increased from 1 h to 3 h, and the degree of disruption (DoD) varied from 0.545 to 0.3 in extreme cold to warm climate scenarios, with the higher DoD number indicating worse performance. The impact of the season within the same climate scenario is also evident, as the habitability and robustness durations increased during spring compared to winter. The resilience improved with PV and battery. The new building showed that the robustness duration increased from 3 to 15 h, habitability durations increased, and the DoD varied from 0.496 to 0.22 from extreme cold to warm climates without renewables and storage. With the integration of PV and battery, the new building was able to achieve a lower DoD and better performance with lower PV and battery capacity, compared to the old building. Furthermore, utilizing the color grading method (red to green), optimal technical solutions and corresponding design variables were identified for each building type and climate scenario that could support decision-making. The total cost of the optimal solutions varied, as new buildings required lower costs to reach optimal performance. However, for optimal resilience performance during extreme cold climate scenarios, higher costs are required for each building type. The proposed resilience framework, indicators, color grading system, and costing could potentially support improvements in building regulations, ensuring the development of optimally resilient buildings, particularly in the face of extreme climatic conditions.

Methodology to assess the impact of urban vegetation on the energy consumption of residential buildings. Case study in a Mediterranean city

The global growth of urban areas is unstoppable, and this growth is accompanied by an intensification of urban heat island effects, exacerbating the challenges of climate change and sustainable urban development in warm climates. In this context, understanding the intricate dynamics of these phenomena and their implications on the thermal behaviour of buildings becomes paramount. This study focuses on València, a Spanish city characterized by a Mediterranean climate, where the interplay between ground temperature variations, vegetation levels, and the thermal demands of buildings is investigated.Land surface temperature measurements derived from satellite data, specifically from the Landsat-8 mission, provide a valuable lens through which to assess the heat island effect. These measurements are harmonized with data collected from local weather stations to establish a robust foundation for evaluating the thermal dynamics of the urban environment. European standards, coupled with Geographic Information System technologies, enable the simulation of temperature variations, and facilitate a nuanced analysis of their impact on the thermal demands of a building.Moreover, recognizing the crucial role played by the urban climate in the influencing of heating and cooling needs, this study explores nature-based solutions implemented in València. By leveraging satellite-derived temperature and vegetation data over an extended period, it is possible to identify actions and elements that contribute positively to mitigating UHI effects and improving the overall climatic conditions. Results indicate that vegetation has a notable impact on local temperature, with distinct patterns observed in different seasons. The research incorporated the simulation of climate scenarios, introducing varying levels of vegetation. Results demonstrated a substantial reduction in cooling demand, particularly during the summer months. Buildings with a lower exterior surface-to-volume ratio exhibited a more pronounced reduction in energy consumption.