Energy performance of solar and Trombe walls in Mediterranean climates

Solar and Trombe walls are envelope solutions that can contribute to reduce the energy consumption of the building sector. However, few studies have looked at their behaviour in warm/hot climates, particularly at avoiding and counteracting the overheating risk. This study therefore set out to assess...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy (Oxford) 2021-11, Vol.234, p.121197, Article 121197
Main Authors: Simões, N., Manaia, M., Simões, I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Climate
Cooling
Cooling systems
Dynamic energy simulation
Energy consumption
Hot climates
Mediterranean climate
Night
Overheating
Passive heating and cooling
Retrofitting
Shading
Shading devices
Solar energy
Solar wall
Trombe wall
Trombe walls
Ventilation
Vents
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Summary:Solar and Trombe walls are envelope solutions that can contribute to reduce the energy consumption of the building sector. However, few studies have looked at their behaviour in warm/hot climates, particularly at avoiding and counteracting the overheating risk. This study therefore set out to assess how subtypes of the Mediterranean climate would affect the energy performance of these systems. Shading devices such as overhangs or blinds, combined with interior and exterior vents were studied. Parameters such as thermal mass, channel width and vent dimensions were also evaluated. Dynamic energy simulations were performed using EnergyPlus v8.1 and Designbuilder v5.0.1 user interface. The results demonstrate that solar and Trombe walls can both lead to significant reductions in net energy demands if properly tailored shading devices and vents with specific seasonal and daily operation schedules are implemented. The night ventilation strategy is crucial to reducing cooling needs. The Trombe wall system helped to cut demand for heating by more than 20% without compromising the cooling season. In the southernmost locations, the inclusion of night ventilation leads to a decrease in cooling demands (average reduction of more than 35%). •Definition of solar wall and Trombe wall systems.•Dynamic energy simulations were used to compare scenarios.•Solar and Trombe walls can be efficient in the Mediterranean climate.•Shading devices combined with vents enhance the performance of these passive devices.•Trombe wall system may contribute to a reduction of more than 20% in heating needs.
ISSN:0360-5442
1873-6785
DOI:10.1016/j.energy.2021.121197