The role of urban form as an energy management parameter

Urban areas are recognised to be significant global energy consumers, and therefore high CO2 emitters, making energy management at urban scales a relevant research focus. However, one of the main obstacles faced with upgrading existing urban systems to meet target energy reductions is the current rate of refurbishment and new build, where it is estimated that 75% of existing buildings will still be in place by 2050. Moreover limited renewable resources and predicted warming trends place further limitations on policies aimed at carbon management. This paper examines current thinking around energy management associated with building operational and regulated loads and the role of urban form. Its focus is on cooling loads for office buildings in central London and offers a new perspective on energy management at an urban scale by demonstrating (within the 25% redevelopment rate) that when building energy management is considered within an urban context, the overall performance of an urban system can be significantly improved. The work highlights the often overlooked role of urban form on building energy performance (both individually and in combination) and demonstrates that as we move towards a low energy future; the role of urban form becomes increasing significant.

[1]  Joseph C. Lam,et al.  Shading effects due to nearby buildings and energy implications , 2000 .

[2]  Aleš Krainer,et al.  Solar potential in existing urban layouts—Critical overview of the existing building stock in Slovenian context , 2014 .

[3]  J. Ravetz.  State of the stock--What do we know about existing buildings and their future prospects? , 2008 .

[4]  Ian Paul Knight,et al.  Measured energy consumption and carbon emissions of air-conditioning in UK office buildings , 2005 .

[5]  Maria Kolokotroni,et al.  London's urban heat island: Impact on current and future energy consumption in office buildings , 2012 .

[6]  M. Holmes,et al.  Climate change, thermal comfort and energy: Meeting the design challenges of the 21st century , 2007 .

[7]  Nedyomukti Imam Syafii,et al.  Evaluation of the impact of the surrounding urban morphology on building energy consumption , 2011 .

[8]  Servando Álvarez Domínguez,et al.  Solar radiation calculation methodology for building exterior surfaces , 2005 .

[9]  Maria Kolokotroni,et al.  THE EFFECT OF THE LONDON URBAN HEAT ISLAND ON BUILDING SUMMER COOLING DEMAND AND NIGHT VENTILATION STRATEGIES , 2006 .

[10]  Siaw Kiang Chou,et al.  A performance-based method for energy efficiency improvement of buildings , 2011 .

[11]  Maria Kolokotroni,et al.  The balance of the annual heating and cooling demand within the London urban heat island , 2002 .

[12]  David Coley,et al.  On the creation of future probabilistic design weather years from UKCP09 , 2011 .

[13]  David Pearlmutter,et al.  Evaluating the impact of canyon geometry and orientation on cooling loads in a high-mass building in a hot dry environment , 2010 .

[14]  Philip C. Eames,et al.  Interventions for large-scale carbon emission reductions in future UK offices , 2009 .

[15]  Sue Grimmond,et al.  Applied climatology: urban climate , 2006 .

[16]  John Counsell,et al.  Trends in office internal gains and the impact on space heating and cooling demands , 2011 .

[17]  David Jenkins.  The importance of office internal heat gains in reducing cooling loads in a changing climate , 2009 .

[18]  Claire L. Smith,et al.  Designing urban spaces and buildings to improve sustainability and quality of life in a warmer world , 2008 .

[19]  A. Arnfield.  Two decades of urban climate research: a review of turbulence, exchanges of energy and water, and the urban heat island , 2003 .

[20]  Vice President,et al.  AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEATING, REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING ENGINEERS INC. , 2007 .

[21]  Joseph C. Lam,et al.  Energy analysis of commercial buildings in subtropical climates , 2000 .

[22]  Lisa Guan.  Energy use, indoor temperature and possible adaptation strategies for air-conditioned office buildings in face of global warming , 2012 .

[23]  R. Emmanuel.  A Hypothetical ‘Shadow Umbrella’ for Thermal Comfort Enhancement in the Equatorial Urban Outdoors , 1993 .

[24]  Luis Pérez-Lombard,et al.  A review on buildings energy consumption information , 2008 .

[25]  Ivan Korolija,et al.  Influence of building parameters and HVAC systems coupling on building energy performance , 2011 .

[26]  J. C. Lam,et al.  Impact of climate change on building energy use in different climate zones and mitigation and adaptation implications , 2012 .

[27]  Andrew Peacock,et al.  Climatic and internal factors affecting future UK office heating and cooling energy consumptions , 2008 .