https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2023.1520
A nature-based system for improving Mediterranean buildings’ performance: contribution to energy saving by heat transfer reduction and influence of climatic parameters
Published: 20 February 2023
Abstract Views: 939
PDF: 304
HTML: 2
HTML: 2
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
Urban environments can be turned greener and more sustainable by letting in vegetation. Applying green facades on buildings’ vertical surfaces is a viable option that brings various advantages. This study focuses on the energy benefit provided by an evergreen green facade in Mediterranean climate conditions. The results came from a long experimental campaign, heat fluxes evaluation, and statistical analyses. The thermal behaviour of the experimental green facade was analysed all year round, highlighting differences between warm and cold periods and the time of the day. The main advantage was assessed in terms of energy saving, defined as heat flux reduction through the wall covered with vegetation compared to an unvegetated wall. The study pointed out that energy saving was achieved throughout the year, but at different times of the day based on the season. A daytime energy saving was obtained in warm periods due to the shading effect and the plants’ evapotranspiration. A night-time benefit was reached in cold periods mainly thanks to the green layer’s thermal and wind barrier action. The results showed daily mean energy saving values equal to 11.47 W m-2 for a warm period and 3.23 W m-2 for a cold period. The statistical analysis highlighted that the energy saving was positively influenced by external air temperature, especially in the daytime. Overall, higher energy saving was provided by the green facade when higher external air temperature values were recorded. This research contributes to filling existing literature gaps on the yearly behaviour of green facades and on the energy benefits these provide.
Al-Kayiem H.H., Koh K., Riyadi T.W.B., Effendy M. 2020. A comparative review on greenery ecosystems and their impacts on sustainability of building environment. Sustainability 12(20):1–26. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208529
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208529
Ascione F., De Masi R.F., Mastellone M., Ruggiero S., Vanoli G.P. 2020. Green Walls, a Critical Review: Knowledge Gaps, Design Parameters, Thermal Performances and Multi-Criteria Design Approaches. Energies 13(9):2296. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13092296
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en13092296
Bakhshoodeh R., Ocampo C., Oldham C. 2022. Evapotranspiration rates and evapotranspirative cooling of green façades under different irrigation scenarios. Energy Build. 269:113323. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENBUILD.2022.112223
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112223
Bevilacqua P. 2021. The effectiveness of green roofs in reducing building energy consumptions across different climates. A summary of literature results. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev., 151:111523. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RSER.2021.111523
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111523
Blanco I., Convertino F., Schettini E., Vox G. 2021. Energy analysis of a green façade in summer: an experimental test in Mediterranean climate conditions. Energy Build. 245:111076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111076
Blanco I., Schettini E., Scarascia Mugnozza G., Vox G. 2018. Thermal behaviour of green façades in summer. J. Agric. Eng. 49(3):183–190. https://doi.org/10.4081/JAE.2018.835
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2018.835
Cameron R.W.F., Taylor J., Emmett M. 2015. A Hedera green façade - Energy performance and saving under different maritime-temperate, winter weather conditions. Build Environ. 92:111–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.04.011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.04.011
Cheng C.Y., Cheung K.K.S., Chu L.M. 2010. Thermal performance of a vegetated cladding system on facade walls. Build Environ. 45(8):1779–1787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.02.005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.02.005
Coma J., Pérez G., de Gracia A., Burés S., Urrestarazu M., Cabeza L.F. 2017. Vertical greenery systems for energy savings in buildings: A comparative study between green walls and green facades. Build Environ. 111:228–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.11.014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.11.014
Convertino F., Vox G., Schettini E. 2020. Thermal barrier effect of green façades: Long-wave infrared radiative energy transfer modelling. Build Environ. 177: 106875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106875
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106875
Convertino F., Vox G., Schettini E. 2021. Evaluation of the cooling effect provided by a green façade as nature-based system for buildings. Build Environ. 203:108099. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BUILDENV.2021.108099
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108099
Dahanayake K.W.D.K.C., Chow C.L. 2017. Studying the potential of energy saving through vertical greenery systems: Using EnergyPlus simulation program. Energy Build. 138:47–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.12.002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.12.002
Djedjig R., Bozonnet E., Belarbi R. 2016. Modeling green wall interactions with street canyons for building energy simulation in urban context. Urban Clim. 16:75–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2015.12.003
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2015.12.003
Hunter A.M., Williams N.S.G., Rayner J.P., Aye L., Hes D., Livesley S.J. 2014. Quantifying the thermal performance of green façades: A critical review. Ecol. Eng. 63:102-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.12.021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.12.021
IEA. (2020). The Covid-19 Crisis and Clean Energy Progress – Analysis - IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-covid-19-crisis-and-clean-energy-progress/buildings#abstract
Kontoleon K.J., Eumorfopoulou E.A. 2010. The effect of the orientation and proportion of a plant-covered wall layer on the thermal performance of a building zone. Build Environ. 45(5):1287–1303. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BUILDENV.2009.11.013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2009.11.013
Kottek M., Grieser J., Beck C., Rudolf B., Rubel F. 2006. World map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated. Meteorol. Zeitschrift, 15(3):259–263. https://doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130
Lee L.S.H., Jim C.Y. 2019. Energy benefits of green-wall shading based on novel-accurate apportionment of short-wave radiation components. Appl. Energy 238:1506–1518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.01.161
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.01.161
Liao J., Tan X., Li J. 2021. Evaluating the vertical cooling performances of urban vegetation scenarios in a residential environment. J. Build. Eng. 39:102313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102313
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102313
Medl A., Stangl R., Florineth F. 2017. Vertical greening systems – A review on recent technologies and research advancement. Build Environ. 125:227–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.08.054
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.08.054
Miralles I Garcia J.L. 2017. Strategic environmental assessment for metropolitan plans of coastal areas. The case of Valencia. Int. J. Sustain. Dev. 12(8):1272–1281. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP-V12-N7-1272-1281
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP-V12-N7-1272-1281
Perini K., Bazzocchi F., Croci L., Magliocco A., Cattaneo E. 2017. The use of vertical greening systems to reduce the energy demand for air conditioning. Field monitoring in Mediterranean climate. Energy Build. 143:35–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.03.036
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.03.036
Perini K., Ottelé M., Fraaij A.L.A., Haas E.M., Raiteri R. 2011. Vertical greening systems and the effect on air flow and temperature on the building envelope. Build Environ. 46:2287–2294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2011.05.009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2011.05.009
Sharifi A. 2021. Co-benefits and synergies between urban climate change mitigation and adaptation measures: A literature review. Sci. Total Environ. 750:141642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141642
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141642
Susca T., Zanghirella F., Colasuonno L., Del Fatto V. 2022. Effect of green wall installation on urban heat island and building energy use: A climate-informed systematic literature review. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 159:112100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112100
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112100
Susorova I., Angulo M., Bahrami P., Brent S. 2013. A model of vegetated exterior facades for evaluation of wall thermal performance. Build Environ. 67:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2013.04.027
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2013.04.027
Vox G., Blanco I., Convertino F., Schettini E. 2022. Heat transfer reduction in building envelope with green façade system: A year-round balance in Mediterranean climate conditions. Energy Build. 274: 112439. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112439
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112439
Wong I., Baldwin A.N. 2016. Investigating the potential of applying vertical green walls to high-rise residential buildings for energy-saving in sub-tropical region. Build Environ. 97:34–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.11.028
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.11.028
Xing Q., Hao X., Lin Y., Tan H., Yang K. 2019. Experimental investigation on the thermal performance of a vertical greening system with green roof in wet and cold climates during winter. Energy Build. 183:105–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENBUILD.2018.10.038
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.10.038
Zhang C., Wang J., Li L., Gang W. 2019. Dynamic thermal performance and parametric analysis of a heat recovery building envelope based on air-permeable porous materials. Energy 189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116361
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116361
Zhao C., Zhang L., Yang Y., Zhang Y., Liu M., Yan J., Zhao L. 2022. Long-wave infrared radiation properties of vertical green façades in subtropical regions. Build Environ. 223:109518. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BUILDENV.2022.109518
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109518
Zheng X., Dai T., Tang M. 2020. An experimental study of vertical greenery systems for window shading for energy saving in summer. J. Clean. Prod. 259:120708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120708
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120708
How to Cite
Convertino, F., Blanco, I., Schettini, E. and Vox, G. (2023) “A nature-based system for improving Mediterranean buildings’ performance: contribution to energy saving by heat transfer reduction and influence of climatic parameters”, Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 54(3). doi: 10.4081/jae.2023.1520.
Copyright (c) 2023 the Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
PAGEPress has chosen to apply the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published.