Heating and Cooling Degree-Days Climate Change Projections for Portugal

Abstract

Climate change is expected to influence cooling and heating energy demand of residential buildings and affect overall thermal comfort. Towards this end, the heating (HDD) and cooling (CDD) degree-days along with HDD + CDD were computed from an ensemble of seven high-resolution bias-corrected simulations attained from EURO-CORDEX under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). These three indicators were analyzed for 1971–2000 (from E-OBS) and 2011–2040, and 2041–2070, under both RCPs. Results predict a decrease in HDDs most significant under RCP8.5. Conversely, it is projected an increase of CDD values for both scenarios. The decrease in HDDs is projected to be higher than the increase in CDDs hinting to an increase in the energy demand to cool internal environments in Portugal. Statistically significant linear CDD trends were only found for 2041–2070 under RCP4.5. Towards 2070, higher(lower) CDD (HDD and HDD + CDD) anomaly amplitudes are depicted, mainly under RCP8.5. Within the five NUTS II

Heating and cooling degree-days vs climate change in years 1979-2021. Evidence from the European Union and Norway

“…Regional climates, frameworks, and other indicators related to the design parameters of buildings may vary, and the conclusions on methods and outcomes may overlap, while they are applicable to the total issue and specific to different estimations and climate types (Pérez- . The characteristics and consequences of HDD and CDD are the subject of research in many countries and regions of the world (Zheng & Zhang, 2011;Andrade et al, 2021;Yoo & Noh, 2009;Atilgan et al, 2018;Bhatnagar et al, 2018;Indraganti & Boussaa, 2016;Fraisse & Paula-Moraes, 2018). Generally, forecasts indicate potential decreases in heating energy demand and increases in cooling energy demand.…”

The need for scientific-area-related indicators for effective energy planning in higher education institutions

“…Environmental fluctuations in air temperatures have an impact on building's heating and cooling energy demand. The most common methods used to determine energy demand are based on parametric energy balance and degree-day methods [40] .…”

Expected Changes in Heating and Cooling Degree Days over Greece in the near Future Based on Climate Scenarios Projections

“…Significant research has been conducted on the impact of climate change on the heating and cooling energy requirements in the future. Andrade et al [16] computed the HDDs and CDDs and the HDD + CDD sum for Portugal from an ensemble of seven high-resolution bias-corrected simulations attained from EURO-CORDEX under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 pathways for the periods 1971-2000, 2011-2040 and 2041-2070. A decrease was predicted in HDDs mainly for RCP8.5 while an increase was predicted for CDD values for both RCPs.…”