IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v154y2015icp631-643.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Thermal performance of climber greenwalls: Effects of solar irradiance and orientation

Author

Listed:
  • Jim, C.Y.

Abstract

Thermal performance of greenwalls, a critical and common concern, is regulated by solar irradiance vis-à-vis orientation and shading. A field experiment was conducted in humid-tropical Hong Kong to address the research question under typical summer-weather scenarios: sunny, cloudy and rainy. On a large circular concrete tank, climber-greenwall experimental plots were established with duplication in four cardinal compass directions. Air and infrared-radiometer surface temperature sensors monitored at different greenwall positions: ambient-air (control), bare-concrete-surface (control), vegetation-surface, behind-mesh-airgap, and behind-mesh-concrete surface. Pyranometers were installed vertically at four orientations and horizontally at tank-top (control) to monitor solar-energy input. Habitat verticality induces notable variations in solar-energy capture at four orientations by daily total, peak level, intensity, duration and timing. On sunny day, solar fraction reaching east side was only 37.1% of tank-top. Early morning sunshine striking east side nearly perpendicularly brings maximum intensity. South side facing the sun but at tangential incident angle has only 23.3% reception. Strong irradiance drives high control-surface temperature, but also induces notable vegetation-surface and adjacent ambient-air cooling by transpiration. A threshold solar intensity of about 300Wm−2 is necessary to impart notable cooling-effect. Summer-sunny day and rainy-day sunshine-burst episodes could satisfy this condition; cloudy day and rainfall periods with attenuated-diffused sunlight could not. Cloudy day and rainfall periods suppress cooling differences by orientation. Behind-mesh concrete surface is consistently cooler than control concrete surface in the three summer-weather scenarios. Behind-mesh-air remains warmer than ambient-air but cooler than two adjoining surfaces (vegetation and behind-mesh-concrete), indicating air-barrier effect and restricted air exchange between ambience and airgap. It implies that greenwall can bring bidirectional cooling, but transpiration cooling of anterior (ambient) air is more effective than shading and thermal-insulation cooling of posterior (airgap) air and concrete-surface. The findings could inform greenwall design to enhance ecosystem services for climate-change adaption and urban heat island amelioration.

Suggested Citation

  • Jim, C.Y., 2015. "Thermal performance of climber greenwalls: Effects of solar irradiance and orientation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 631-643.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:154:y:2015:i:c:p:631-643
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.05.077
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261915007102
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.05.077?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Peng, Jinqing & Lu, Lin & Yang, Hongxing & Han, Jun, 2013. "Investigation on the annual thermal performance of a photovoltaic wall mounted on a multi-layer façade," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 646-656.
    2. Holly P. Jones & David G. Hole & Erika S. Zavaleta, 2012. "Harnessing nature to help people adapt to climate change," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 2(7), pages 504-509, July.
    3. Pérez, Gabriel & Rincón, Lídia & Vila, Anna & González, Josep M. & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2011. "Green vertical systems for buildings as passive systems for energy savings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 4854-4859.
    4. Berardi, Umberto & GhaffarianHoseini, AmirHosein & GhaffarianHoseini, Ali, 2014. "State-of-the-art analysis of the environmental benefits of green roofs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 411-428.
    5. Smith, Claire & Levermore, Geoff, 2008. "Designing urban spaces and buildings to improve sustainability and quality of life in a warmer world," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 4558-4562, December.
    6. Jim, C.Y., 2014. "Air-conditioning energy consumption due to green roofs with different building thermal insulation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 49-59.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Bakhshoodeh, Reza & Ocampo, Carlos & Oldham, Carolyn, 2022. "Thermal performance of green façades: Review and analysis of published data," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    2. Jutta Hollands & Azra Korjenic, 2021. "Evaluation and Planning Decision on Façade Greening Made Easy—Integration in BIM and Implementation of an Automated Design Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-29, August.
    3. Cansu Iraz Seyrek Şık & Agata Woźniczka & Barbara Widera, 2022. "A Conceptual Framework for the Design of Energy-Efficient Vertical Green Façades," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Yun Gao & Ensiyeh Farrokhirad & Adrian Pitts, 2023. "The Impact of Orientation on Living Wall Façade Temperature: Manchester Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-24, July.
    5. Peng, Lilliana L.H. & Jiang, Zhidian & Yang, Xiaoshan & Wang, Qingqing & He, Yunfei & Chen, Sophia Shuang, 2020. "Energy savings of block-scale facade greening for different urban forms," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    6. 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," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    7. Hankun Lin & Yiqiang Xiao & Florian Musso & Yao Lu, 2019. "Green Façade Effects on Thermal Environment in Transitional Space: Field Measurement Studies and Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-21, October.
    8. Zaloa Azkorra-Larrinaga & Naiara Romero-Antón & Koldobika Martín-Escudero & Gontzal Lopez-Ruiz & Catalina Giraldo-Soto, 2023. "Evaluation of the Thermal Performance of Two Passive Facade System Solutions for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-23, December.
    9. Hussain H. Al-Kayiem & Kelly Koh & Tri W. B. Riyadi & Marwan Effendy, 2020. "A Comparative Review on Greenery Ecosystems and Their Impacts on Sustainability of Building Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-25, October.
    10. Noemi Caltabellotta & Felicia Cavaleri & Carlo Greco & Kestutis Navickas & Carlo Scibetta & Laura Giammanco, 2019. "Integration of green roofs&walls in urban areas," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(2 Suppl.), pages 61-78.
    11. Patryk Antoszewski & Dariusz Świerk & Michał Krzyżaniak, 2020. "Statistical Review of Quality Parameters of Blue-Green Infrastructure Elements Important in Mitigating the Effect of the Urban Heat Island in the Temperate Climate (C) Zone," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-36, September.
    12. Ileana Blanco & Fabiana Convertino, 2023. "Thermal Performance of Green Façades: Research Trends Analysis Using a Science Mapping Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-23, June.
    13. Jim, C.Y., 2016. "Solar–terrestrial radiant-energy regimes and temperature anomalies of natural and artificial turfs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 520-534.
    14. Jamei, E. & Ossen, D.R. & Seyedmahmoudian, M. & Sandanayake, M. & Stojcevski, A. & Horan, B., 2020. "Urban design parameters for heat mitigation in tropics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    15. Lee, Louis S.H. & Jim, C.Y., 2019. "Energy benefits of green-wall shading based on novel-accurate apportionment of short-wave radiation components," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 1506-1518.
    16. Vera, Sergio & Pinto, Camilo & Tabares-Velasco, Paulo Cesar & Bustamante, Waldo, 2018. "A critical review of heat and mass transfer in vegetative roof models used in building energy and urban enviroment simulation tools," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 752-764.
    17. Alexander Pichlhöfer & Azra Korjenic & Abdulah Sulejmanovski & Erich Streit, 2023. "Influence of Facade Greening with Ivy on Thermal Performance of Masonry Walls," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, June.
    18. Jing Xiao & Takaya Yuizono & Ruixuan Li, 2024. "Synergistic Landscape Design Strategies to Renew Thermal Environment: A Case Study of a Cfa-Climate Urban Community in Central Komatsu City, Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-29, June.
    19. Cuce, Erdem, 2017. "Thermal regulation impact of green walls: An experimental and numerical investigation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 247-254.
    20. Yang, An-Shik & Juan, Yu-Hsuan & Wen, Chih-Yung & Chang, Chao-Jui, 2017. "Numerical simulation of cooling effect of vegetation enhancement in a subtropical urban park," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 178-200.
    21. Coma, Julià & Chàfer, Marta & Pérez, Gabriel & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2020. "How internal heat loads of buildings affect the effectiveness of vertical greenery systems? An experimental study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 919-930.
    22. Pérez, Gabriel & Coma, Julià & Sol, Salvador & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2017. "Green facade for energy savings in buildings: The influence of leaf area index and facade orientation on the shadow effect," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 424-437.
    23. Oquendo-Di Cosola, V. & Olivieri, F. & Ruiz-García, L., 2022. "A systematic review of the impact of green walls on urban comfort: temperature reduction and noise attenuation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    24. Puyi Wang & Yew Hoong Wong & Chou Yong Tan & Sheng Li & Wen Tong Chong, 2022. "Vertical Greening Systems: Technological Benefits, Progresses and Prospects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-22, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jim, C.Y., 2014. "Air-conditioning energy consumption due to green roofs with different building thermal insulation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 49-59.
    2. Lee, Louis S.H. & Jim, C.Y., 2019. "Energy benefits of green-wall shading based on novel-accurate apportionment of short-wave radiation components," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 1506-1518.
    3. Kim, Jimin & Hong, Taehoon & Jeong, Jaemin & Koo, Choongwan & Jeong, Kwangbok, 2016. "An optimization model for selecting the optimal green systems by considering the thermal comfort and energy consumption," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 682-695.
    4. Vera, Sergio & Pinto, Camilo & Tabares-Velasco, Paulo Cesar & Bustamante, Waldo, 2018. "A critical review of heat and mass transfer in vegetative roof models used in building energy and urban enviroment simulation tools," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 752-764.
    5. Liu, Jiahong & Wang, Jia & Ding, Xiangyi & Shao, Weiwei & Mei, Chao & Li, Zejin & Wang, Kaibo, 2020. "Assessing the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from a green infrastructure-based urban drainage system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    6. Tang, Mingfang & Zheng, Xing, 2019. "Experimental study of the thermal performance of an extensive green roof on sunny summer days," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 1010-1021.
    7. Tan, Taotao & Kong, Fanhua & Yin, Haiwei & Cook, Lauren M. & Middel, Ariane & Yang, Shaoqi, 2023. "Carbon dioxide reduction from green roofs: A comprehensive review of processes, factors, and quantitative methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    8. Mazzeo, D. & Oliveti, G. & Arcuri, N., 2016. "Influence of internal and external boundary conditions on the decrement factor and time lag heat flux of building walls in steady periodic regime," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 509-531.
    9. Shazmin, S.A.A. & Sipan, I. & Sapri, M. & Ali, H.M. & Raji, F., 2017. "Property tax assessment incentive for green building: Energy saving based-model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 329-339.
    10. Sharifi, Ayyoob & Yamagata, Yoshiki, 2016. "Principles and criteria for assessing urban energy resilience: A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1654-1677.
    11. Yang, An-Shik & Juan, Yu-Hsuan & Wen, Chih-Yung & Chang, Chao-Jui, 2017. "Numerical simulation of cooling effect of vegetation enhancement in a subtropical urban park," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 178-200.
    12. Ileana Blanco & Fabiana Convertino, 2023. "Thermal Performance of Green Façades: Research Trends Analysis Using a Science Mapping Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-23, June.
    13. Brunetti, Giuseppe & Porti, Michele & Piro, Patrizia, 2018. "Multi-level numerical and statistical analysis of the hygrothermal behavior of a non-vegetated green roof in a mediterranean climate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 204-219.
    14. Kong, Fanhua & Sun, Changfeng & Liu, Fengfeng & Yin, Haiwei & Jiang, Fei & Pu, Yingxia & Cavan, Gina & Skelhorn, Cynthia & Middel, Ariane & Dronova, Iryna, 2016. "Energy saving potential of fragmented green spaces due to their temperature regulating ecosystem services in the summer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 1428-1440.
    15. Jim, C.Y., 2015. "Cold-season solar input and ambivalent thermal behavior brought by climber greenwalls," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P1), pages 926-938.
    16. Azis, Shazmin Shareena Ab., 2021. "Improving present-day energy savings among green building sector in Malaysia using benefit transfer approach: Cooling and lighting loads," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    17. Wang, Zhi-Hua & Zhao, Xiaoxi & Yang, Jiachuan & Song, Jiyun, 2016. "Cooling and energy saving potentials of shade trees and urban lawns in a desert city," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 437-444.
    18. Coma, Julià & Chàfer, Marta & Pérez, Gabriel & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2020. "How internal heat loads of buildings affect the effectiveness of vertical greenery systems? An experimental study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 919-930.
    19. Ziyi Wang & Zengqiao Chen & Cuiping Ma & Ronald Wennersten & Qie Sun, 2022. "Nationwide Evaluation of Urban Energy System Resilience in China Using a Comprehensive Index Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-36, February.
    20. He, Yang & Yu, Hang & Ozaki, Akihito & Dong, Nannan & Zheng, Shiling, 2017. "Influence of plant and soil layer on energy balance and thermal performance of green roof system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 1285-1299.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:154:y:2015:i:c:p:631-643. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.