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Theoretical evaluation of thermal and energy performance of tropical green roofs

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  • Tsang, S.W.
  • Jim, C.Y.

Abstract

The thermal and energy efficiency of tropical green roofs is assessed by a theoretical model to clarify the contribution of underlying factors. The suitability of 1400 high-rise public housing blocks in Hong Kong for rooftop greening was assessed by remote sensing images. Weather and microclimatic-soil monitoring data of an experimental green roof provided the basis for computations. Roof greening prevented a huge amount of solar energy at 43.9 TJ in one summer from penetrating the buildings to bring significant energy saving. Thermal performance of humid-tropical green roofs, with greater latent heat dissipation, is twice more effective than the temperate ones. The energy balance model shows that solar energy absorption by bare and green roofs depends on shortwave rather than longwave radiation. Heat flux into a building indicates a one-day time lag after a sunshine day. With restricted evapotranspiration, bare roofs have more sensible heat and heat storage than green roofs. The bare roof albedo of 0.15, comparing with 0.30 of green roof, renders 75% higher heat storage. Small increase in convection coefficient from 12 to 16 could amplify 24% and 45% of latent heat dissipation respectively for bare and green roofs. Doubling the soil water availability could halve the heat storage of green roofs.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsang, S.W. & Jim, C.Y., 2011. "Theoretical evaluation of thermal and energy performance of tropical green roofs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 3590-3598.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:36:y:2011:i:5:p:3590-3598
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.03.072
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Jim, C.Y., 2014. "Passive warming of indoor space induced by tropical green roof in winter," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 272-282.
    3. 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).
    4. Matteo Roggero, 2020. "Social dilemmas, policy instruments, and climate adaptation measures: the case of green roofs," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 625-642, April.
    5. Šuklje, Tomaž & Medved, Sašo & Arkar, Ciril, 2016. "On detailed thermal response modeling of vertical greenery systems as cooling measure for buildings and cities in summer conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 1055-1068.
    6. Zuzana Koscikova & Vladimir Krivtsov, 2023. "Environmental and Social Benefits of Extensive Green Roofs Applied on Bus Shelters in Edinburgh," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-24, September.
    7. Friedman, Chanoch & Becker, Nir & Erell, Evyatar, 2014. "Energy retrofit of residential building envelopes in Israel: A cost-benefit analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 183-193.
    8. Li, Danny H.W. & Yang, Liu & Lam, Joseph C., 2013. "Zero energy buildings and sustainable development implications – A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1-10.
    9. Xiao, Min & Lin, Yaolin & Han, Jie & Zhang, Guoqiang, 2014. "A review of green roof research and development in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 633-648.
    10. 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.
    11. Ferrante, Patrizia & La Gennusa, Maria & Peri, Giorgia & Rizzo, Gianfranco & Scaccianoce, Gianluca, 2016. "Vegetation growth parameters and leaf temperature: Experimental results from a six plots green roofs' system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P3), pages 1723-1732.
    12. Jim, C.Y., 2015. "Diurnal and partitioned heat-flux patterns of coupled green-building roof systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 262-274.
    13. Meng Zhen & Weihan Zou & Wei Ding, 2022. "Cooling effect of roof greening with water misting in a cold region during the summer," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 7093-7114, May.
    14. Jim, C.Y., 2015. "Cold-season solar input and ambivalent thermal behavior brought by climber greenwalls," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P1), pages 926-938.
    15. Hashemi, Sajedeh Sadat Ghazizadeh & Mahmud, Hilmi Bin & Ashraf, Muhammad Aqeel, 2015. "Performance of green roofs with respect to water quality and reduction of energy consumption in tropics: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 669-679.
    16. Raji, Babak & Tenpierik, Martin J. & van den Dobbelsteen, Andy, 2015. "The impact of greening systems on building energy performance: A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 610-623.

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