Evaluation of a microclimate model for predicting the thermal behavior of different ground surfaces
The microclimate model ENVI-met Version 4 was evaluated with field data in terms of the thermal behavior of different types of ground surface. A field experiment was conducted in a real construction project in Guangzhou, South China, from 29 August to 2 September in 2010. The surface types of concrete, tile, asphalt and grass were investigated. The comparison between observation and prediction was performed for both sub- and above-surface variables, including soil temperature at different depths, soil heat flux at the surface, surface temperature, and air temperature and humidity at different heights. The results show that the ENVI-met model is capable of reasonably modelling the diurnal th…
An integrated simulation method for building energy performance assessment in urban environments
a b s t r a c t The microclimate around a building, establishing through the interaction with other buildings or the natural environment, is a significant factor in the building energy consumption. This paper presents a method for the quantitative analysis of building energy performance under any given urban contexts by linking the microclimate model ENVI-met to the building energy simulation (BES) program EnergyPlus. The full microclimatic factors such as solar radiation, long wave radiation, air temperature, air humidity, and wind speed have been considered in the proposed scheme. A case study has been conducted to analyze the effects of different microclimatic factors on the energy balan…