Development of Spatial Distribution Maps for Energy Demand and Thermal Comfort Estimation in Algeria

Abstract

Climatic spatial maps are essential for understanding the thermal conditions of cities and estimate their cooling and heating energy needs. Climate maps allow building designers and city planners to get adequately informed without accessing, analyzing or interpreting dense textual information. In this study, a representative residential benchmark model was simulated in seventy-four cities of Algeria. The simulation results were interpolated using geographic information systems to generate six high-resolution maps that spatially estimate and visualize the discomfort hours and cooling/heating energy needs. The unique methodology relies on a reliable weather dataset (2004–2018) and combines the power of building performance simulation and geographic information systems. The results of these analyses provide easy to understand and web-based atlas that can be used to explore regional and local climate and quantify the discomfort hours, the heating/cooling energy needs and energy use intensity. The spatial maps are not a static product, but rather data-rich content, which can be expanded to include the most important cities of Algeria. The capabilities of the tool allow architects and urban planners to understand the climate better and propose practical design guidance.

Bioclimatic design recommendations for novel cluster analysis-based mapping for humid climates with altitudinal gradient variations

“…For the analysis, the different regions of Colombia were classified into eight main groups. Each was associated with the design recommendations proposed by various authors [7,10,12,23,25]. On the other hand, the cluster analysis allows a comparison between the climatic zones and the frequency of their presence in each of the main cities located in the clusters found.…”

“…The lack of adequate characterization of a region's climatic advantages and disadvantages represents one of the main challenges for bioclimatic designs [10]. The impact of climate on the performance of a building becomes especially relevant in geographic areas that present a wide range of climatic conditions [11].…”

Impact of Passive Energy Efficiency Measures on Cooling Energy Demand in an Architectural Campus Building in Karachi, Pakistan

“…A linear regression statistical approach was also used after manual calibration to assess the model's correlation and precision. According to the ASHRAE Guideline 14-2014 [47], the model is considered calibrated when the NMBE and CV (RMSE) are not larger than 5 and 15%, respectively, when the monthly data are used [8,48,49]. The mathematical equations are presented below:…”

Quantification of the Outdoor Thermal Comfort within Different Oases Urban Fabrics

“…The new oases settlements (S2) and (S3), in Tolga new downtown represent a planned urban settlement, representing the most common models of the Algerian authorities' programs on the residential sector. The multifamily housing typology represents 51% of the residential sector, while individual housing accounts for 49% of Algeria's residential sector [45].…”