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In Situ Winter Performance and Annual Energy Assessment of an Ultra-Lightweight, Soil-Free Green Roof in Mediterranean Climate: Comparison with Traditional Roof Insulation

Author

Listed:
  • Luca Evangelisti

    (Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy)

  • Edoardo De Cristo

    (Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy)

  • Roberto De Lieto Vollaro

    (Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Green roofs are effective passive strategies for enhancing building energy efficiency and indoor thermal comfort, particularly in response to climate change. This study presents an experimental and numerical assessment of an ultra-lightweight, soil-free green roof system for Mediterranean climates. In situ thermal monitoring was carried out on two identical test rooms in Rome (Italy), comparing the green roof to a traditional tiled roof under winter conditions. Results revealed a 45% reduction in thermal transmittance. These data were used to calibrate a dynamic TRNSYS 18 model and then applied to annual simulations of energy demand and indoor comfort across different roof configurations, including expanded polystyrene-insulated reference roofs. The model was calibrated in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 14, achieving an MBE within ±10% and a CV(RMSE) within ±30% for hourly data, ensuring the simulation’s reliability. The green roof reduced cooling energy demand by up to 58.5% and heating demand by 11.6% relative to the uninsulated reference case. Compared to insulated roofs, it maintained similar winter performance while achieving summer operative temperature reductions up to 0.99 °C and PPD decreases up to 2.94%. By combining field measurements with calibrated simulations, this work provides evidence of the green roof’s effectiveness as a passive retrofit solution for Mediterranean buildings.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca Evangelisti & Edoardo De Cristo & Roberto De Lieto Vollaro, 2025. "In Situ Winter Performance and Annual Energy Assessment of an Ultra-Lightweight, Soil-Free Green Roof in Mediterranean Climate: Comparison with Traditional Roof Insulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:17:p:4581-:d:1737048
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Edoardo De Cristo & Luca Evangelisti & Claudia Guattari & Roberto De Lieto Vollaro, 2024. "An Experimental Direct Model for the Sky Temperature Evaluation in the Mediterranean Area: A Preliminary Investigation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Coma, Julià & Pérez, Gabriel & Solé, Cristian & Castell, Albert & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2016. "Thermal assessment of extensive green roofs as passive tool for energy savings in buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 1106-1115.
    3. Madi Kaboré & Emmanuel Bozonnet & Patrick Salagnac, 2020. "Building and Urban Cooling Performance Indexes of Wetted and Green Roofs—A Case Study under Current and Future Climates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Stefano Cascone, 2019. "Green Roof Design: State of the Art on Technology and Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-27, May.
    5. Mario Maiolo & Behrouz Pirouz & Roberto Bruno & Stefania Anna Palermo & Natale Arcuri & Patrizia Piro, 2020. "The Role of the Extensive Green Roofs on Decreasing Building Energy Consumption in the Mediterranean Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, January.
    6. Bevilacqua, Piero, 2021. "The effectiveness of green roofs in reducing building energy consumptions across different climates. A summary of literature results," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    7. Mansoureh Gholami & Alberto Barbaresi & Patrizia Tassinari & Marco Bovo & Daniele Torreggiani, 2020. "A Comparison of Energy and Thermal Performance of Rooftop Greenhouses and Green Roofs in Mediterranean Climate: A Hygrothermal Assessment in WUFI," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, April.
    8. Pinar Mert Cuce & Erdem Cuce & Mattheos Santamouris, 2025. "Towards Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Cities: Mitigating Urban Heat Islands Through Green Infrastructure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-23, February.
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