scholarly journals Unlocking the Residential Retrofitting Potential in a Three-Degree World: A Holistic Approach to Passive Design in Hot Climates

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
Abdulmajeed Aldabesh ◽  
Jassmen Soufi ◽  
Siddig Omer ◽  
Abdullah Haredy
Keyword(s):  
Housing Stock ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Reflective Coating ◽  
Vision 2030 ◽  
Performance Benchmark ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Shading Devices

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), as one of the largest polluters worldwide, has released its Vision 2030 that seeks sustainable development via economic diversification to transition towards lower CO2 energy systems. Due to fast population and economic growth, the Kingdom is undergoing an increasing volume of construction, which is projected to exacerbate the energy-related emissions. Strategies are needed to decarbonise the housing stock and help bridge the existing performance gap with the updated Saudi Building Code (SBC). This study proposes a holistic retrofitting approach for the Saudi building industry to facilitate the identification of energy consumption reduction optimisation solutions, covering the assessment of insulation, reflective coating surfaces, sun shading devices, efficient glazing solutions, building-integrated renewables, and green roofs. The proposed flexible approach proved how blended retrofit packages provide improved performance, with rooftop photovoltaic microgeneration and improved glazing technologies singlehandedly outperforming the remaining proposals for KSA’s Riyadh climate conditions. Only the photovoltaic system could meet the simulated SBC performance benchmark independently, positioning it as an instrumental tool in improving the overall effectiveness of the retrofit packages.

Modeling and characterization of a grid-connected photovoltaic system under tropical climate conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 2094-2105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali M. Humada ◽  
Ashty M. Aaref ◽  
Hussein M. Hamada ◽  
Mohd Herwan Sulaiman ◽  
Nowshad Amin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Climate ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Climate Conditions

scholarly journals Experimental Efficiency Analysis of a Photovoltaic System with Different Module Technologies under Temperate Climate Conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Slawomir Gulkowski ◽  
Agata Zdyb ◽  
Piotr Dragan
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Performance Ratio ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Lower Efficiency ◽  
Total Size ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Technology System

This study presents a comparative analysis of energy production over the year 2015 by the grid connected experimental photovoltaic (PV) system composed by different technology modules, which operates under temperate climate meteorological conditions of Eastern Poland. Two thin film technologies have been taken into account: cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). Rated power of each system is approximately equal to 3.5 kWp. In addition, the performance of a polycrystalline silicon technology system has been analyzed in order to provide comprehensive comparison of the efficiency of thin film and crystalline technologies in the same environmental conditions. The total size of the pc-Si system is equal to 17 kWp. Adequate sensors have been installed at the location of the PV system to measure solar irradiance and temperature of the modules. In real external conditions all kinds of modules exhibit lower efficiency than the values provided by manufacturers. The study reveals that CIGS technology is characterized by the highest energy production and performance ratio. The observed temperature related losses are of the lowest degree in case of CIGS modules.

scholarly journals Assessment of Existing Photovoltaic System with Cooling and Cleaning System: Case Study at Al-Khobar City

Processes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader Nader ◽  
Wael Al-Kouz ◽  
Sameer Al-Dahidi
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Average Power ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Greenhouse Gasses ◽  
Cleaning System ◽  
Vision 2030 ◽  
The Cost

There is no denial that renewable energy is considered to be the most cost-competitive source of clean power in many parts of the world. Saudi Arabia’s vision 2030 aims at achieving the best by using different sources of renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy, and others. The use of solar energy in particular for power generation will decrease the dependency on oil, and thus, decrease the greenhouse gasses. Solar panels efficiency tends to decrease with the accumulation of dust on their surface. Thus, a cleaning process requires assigning and employing labor, which increases the cost of running as well as high cost of machinery. The current study focuses on assessing and designing a simple auto self-cleaning system in order to improve the efficiency of the solar panel. The results showed that for the Al-Khobar region, Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the efficiency of the solar panels after cleaning was increased from 6% to an average of 12% at nominal temperature of 27 °C. In addition, the average power output was increased by 35% during the day time. In addition, the normal efficiency of the solar panels before cooling was between 10% to 15% at 42 °C. After cooling, the temperature of solar cells decreased to 20 °C and the efficiency increased by 7%. Moreover, the output power was increased by 31% with maximum efficiency of 32% at noon time.

scholarly journals Helophyte mats (wetland roofs) with high evapotranspiration rates as a tool for decentralised rainwater management – process stability improved by simultaneous greywater treatment

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 808-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Zehnsdorf ◽  
Michael Blumberg ◽  
Roland A. Müller
Keyword(s):  
Housing Stock ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Management Process ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Process Stability ◽  
Additional Advantage ◽  
Sewer Systems ◽  
Rainwater Management

Abstract Redensification of the housing stock is also creating challenges for the drainage of wastewater and rainwater in existing sewer systems, particularly in growing cities. One alternative here is the evaporation of rainwater, which reduces hydraulic loads on sewers. Rainwater evapotranspiration using helophyte mats on building roofs is a possible approach. Helophytes are able to transpire considerably more rainwater than extensively planted green roofs. Other than conventional green roofs helophyte mats in the form of wetland roofs require a permanent water supply on a daily basis. Greywater application can be an additional advantage in terms of nutrient supply of the wetland roof after being treated microbiologically within the plant carrier mat. The treatment of greywater using a helophyte-planted roof can help to meet the water and nutrient requirements of the helophytes even during rain-free periods. However, it must be ensured that the root mat treats the greywater to a sufficient extent. It was shown under practical conditions that a 0.1 m-thick helophyte mat is suitable for treating typical domestic greywater at loads of up to 15 L m−2 d−1.

scholarly journals Optimal Sizing of Standalone Photovoltaic System Using Improved Performance Model and Optimization Algorithm

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2233
Author(s):  
Tamer Khatib ◽  
Dhiaa Halboot Muhsen
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Performance Model ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Optimal Solutions ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Optimal Sizing ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Improved Performance

A standalone photovoltaic system mainly consists of photovoltaic panels and battery bank. The use of such systems is restricted mainly due to their high initial costs. This problem is alleviated by optimal sizing as it results in reliable and cost-effective systems. However, optimal sizing is a complex task. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been shown to be effective in PV system sizing. This paper presents an AI-based standalone PV system sizing method. Differential evolution multi-objective optimization is used to find the optimal balance between system’s reliability and cost. Two objective functions are minimized, the loss of load probability and the life cycle cost. A numerical algorithm is used as a benchmark for the proposed method’s speed and accuracy. Results indicate that the AI algorithm can be successfully used in standalone PV systems sizing. The proposed method was roughly 27 times faster than the numerical method. Due to AI algorithm’s random nature, the proposed method resulted in the exact optimal solution in 6 out of 12 runs. Near-optimal solutions were found in the other six runs. Nevertheless, the nearly optimal solutions did not introduce major departure from optimal system performance, indicating that the results of the proposed method are practically optimal at worst.

scholarly journals Modeling Green Roof Potential to Mitigate Urban Flooding in a Chinese City

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Liu ◽  
Liwei Sun ◽  
Jie Niu ◽  
William J. Riley
Keyword(s):  
Green Roof ◽  
Water System ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Subtropical Climate ◽  
Urban Flooding ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Roof System ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Rain Season ◽  
Peak Runoff

The Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River (MLRYR) region, which has humid subtropical climate conditions and unique plum rain season, is characterized by a simultaneous high-frequency urban flooding and reduction in groundwater levels. Retrofitting the existing buildings into green roofs is a promising approach to combat urban flooding, especially for a densely developed city. Here, the application potential of the Green Roof System (GRS) and the Improved Green Roof System (IGRS) designed to divert overflowing water from green roofs to recharge groundwater were analyzed in a densely developed city, Nanchang, China. For the first time, the influence of GRS on the hydraulic condition of Combined Sewage System/Storm Water System (CSS/SWS) is analyzed, which is a direct reflection of the effect of GRS on alleviating urban flooding. The simulation results show that GRS can retain about 41–75% of precipitation in a 2-hour timescale and the flooding volumes in the GRS/IGRS region are 82% and 28% less than those of the Traditional Roof System (TRS) in 10- and 100-yr precipitation events, respectively. In the continuous simulations, GRS also enhances Evapotranspiration (ET), which accounts for 39% of annual precipitation, so that reduces the cumulative surface runoff. Considering the IGRS can provide more hydrological benefits than the GRS under the same climate conditions, we may conclude that the widespread implementation of both the GRS and the IGRS in Nanchang and other densely developed cities in the MLRYR region could significantly reduce surface and peak runoff rates.

Simulation of Thin Green Roof for Summer in Seoul

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (04) ◽  
pp. 1750034 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. Byun
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Planning Experiment ◽  
Insulation Status

The purpose of this paper is to simulate the performance of thin green roofs during summer in Seoul, where there are four seasons. Many experimental studies are available for the green roofs, but there have not been many analytical studies. Numerical analysis is applied to a simple model developed for this study. The effects of the parameters affecting green roof performance are studied using several roof types. The weather data from Korea Meteorological Administration for the summer in Seoul have been used as an input for the simulation model. The results agree with the trends reported in previous studies. The importance of insulation status of the roof before applying green roof and the climate conditions is confirmed. Analysis such as this paper is necessary and useful before applying green roof or planning experiment on green roof.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Fuzzy Logic Subsets Effects on Maximum Power Point Tracking for Photovoltaic System

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahrooz Hajighorbani ◽  
M. A. M. Radzi ◽  
M. Z. A. Ab Kadir ◽  
S. Shafie ◽  
Razieh Khanaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Fuzzy Logic Controller ◽  
Maximum Power Point Tracking ◽  
Maximum Power ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Maximum Power Point ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Point Tracking ◽  
Power Point Tracking ◽  
Power Point

Photovoltaic system (PV) has nonlinear characteristics which are affected by changing the climate conditions and, in these characteristics, there is an operating point in which the maximum available power of PV is obtained. Fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is the artificial intelligent based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method for obtaining the maximum power point (MPP). In this method, defining the logical rule and specific range of membership function has the significant effect on achieving the best and desirable results. This paper presents a detailed comparative survey of five general and main fuzzy logic subsets used for FLC technique in DC-DC boost converter. These rules and specific range of membership functions are implemented in the same system and the best fuzzy subset is obtained from the simulation results carried out in MATLAB. The proposed subset is able to track the maximum power point in minimum time with small oscillations and the highest system efficiency (95.7%). This investigation provides valuable results for all users who want to implement the reliable fuzzy logic subset for their works.

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