Microclimate Assessment at Real Experimental Conditions for Green Energy Urban Policy

Abstract

The incoming transformation of urban built-up areas, surroundings morphology, and local climate due to global warming connected to the necessity of renewable energy use maximization is the fundamental to the main aim of the present research. Indeed, urban policies can benefit from the accurate monitoring of microclimate variables in order to ensure fine living standards in cities, while improving the energy performance of the built environment. In this view, a systemic experimental approach was implemented. A monitoring campaign using dynamic experimental measurements under real conditions was carried out at an inter-urban scale taking into account different building-plant systems forms and urban configuration. In detail, two innovative portable monitoring systems were used for monitoring key multi-domain parameters at hyperlocal, urban, and intra-urban scale. The monitoring campaign was carried out in summer and winter in the city center of Florence, Italy. Research findings highlighted that urban microclimate control can be a potential factor for urban heat island (UHI) mitigation and sustainable green energy solutions, which involve social, economic, and energy policy beyond environment. The analysis of real microclimate conditions may support the green energy urban policy development in terms of renewable energy integration and urban areas design and management.