The authors’ objective was to apply the Simple Urban Energy Balance Model for Mesoscale Simulation (SUMM) to cities. Data were selected from 1-yr flux observations conducted at three sites in two cities: one site in Kugahara, Japan (Ku), and two sites in Basel, Switzerland (U1 and U2). A simple vegetation scheme was implemented in SUMM to apply the model to vegetated cities, and the surface energy balance and radiative temperature TR were evaluated. SUMM generally reproduced seasonal and diurnal trends of surface energy balance and TR at Ku and U2, whereas relatively large errors were obtained for the daytime results of sensible heat flux QH and heat storage ΔQS at U1. Overall, daytime underestimations of QH and overestimations of ΔQS and TR were common. These errors were partly induced by the poor parameterization of the natural logarithm of the ratio of roughness length for momentum to heat (κB−1); that is, the observed κB−1 values at vegetated cities were smaller than the simulated values. The authors proposed a new equation for predicting this coefficient. This equation accounts for the existence of vegetation and improves the common errors described above. With the modified formula for κB−1, simulated net all-wave radiation and TR agreed well with observed values, regardless of site and season. However, at U1, simulated QH and ΔQS were still overestimated and underestimated, respectively, relative to observed values.

Electricity-saving strategies are an essential solution to overcoming increasing global CO2 emission and electricity consumption problems; therefore, the determinant factors of electricity consumption in households need to be assessed. Most previous studies were conducted in developed countries of subtropical regions that had different household characteristic factors from those in developing countries of tropical regions. A field survey was conducted on electricity consumption for Malaysian households to investigate the factors affecting electricity consumption that focused on technology perspective (building and appliance characteristics) and socio-economic perspective (socio-demographics and occupant behaviour). To analyse the determinant factors of electricity consumption, direct and indirect questionnaire surveys were conducted from November 2017 to January 2018 among 214 university students. Direct questionnaire surveys were performed in order to obtain general information that is easily answered by respondents. On the other hand, some questions such as electricity consumption and detailed information of appliances must be confirmed by the respondents’ parents or other household members through an indirect questionnaire survey. The results from multiple linear regression analyses of the survey responses showed that appliance characteristic factors were the main variables influencing electricity consumption and house characteristics were the least significant. Specifically, air conditioners, fluorescent lamps, and flat-screen TVs emerged as appliances with the most significant effect on electricity consumption. Occupant behaviour factors had a more significant influence than socio-demographic factors. The findings in this study can be used by policymakers to develop electricity-saving strategies in Malaysia.

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The population explosion, rapid urbanization rate and the increase in economic activities in Kathmandu Valley have created serious problems in various aspects, including solid waste management and energy deficiency. Despite the existence of distinct link between waste and energy, the "waste to energy" concept is still viewed as an inferior method in Nepal. The government and other concerned stakeholders pay more attention towards the development of hydropower, the major source of electricity production in Nepal. This paper intends to link between solid waste management and inadequacy in energy supply. Kathmandu Valley produces about 620 tons/day solid waste from its five municipalities. The study has shown some opportunities for Kathmandu Valley to convert its solid waste into energy. Even if only organic waste is treated, it produces energy sufficient to light more than 1000 houses in Kathmandu Valley. The quantity of waste, its heat content, the need of additional energy supply, the support from government and service users are some openings that hopefully can contribute to resolving the problems of solid waste and energy supply in Kathmandu Valley.

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