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Energy and Environmental Comparison between a Concrete Wall with and without a Living Green Wall: A Case Study in Mexicali, Mexico

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  • Angeles Campos-Osorio

    (Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21280, Mexico)

  • Néstor Santillán-Soto

    (Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21280, Mexico)

  • O. Rafael García-Cueto

    (Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21280, Mexico)

  • Alejandro A. Lambert-Arista

    (Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21280, Mexico)

  • Gonzalo Bojórquez-Morales

    (Facultad de Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21280, Mexico)

Abstract

In cities with dry arid climate, air conditioning (AC) equipment is necessary for thermal comfort in indoor spaces. The use of this equipment generates an increase in electricity consumption and an increment in CO₂ emissions to the environment; thus, one way to mitigate these negative effects is the Living Green Wall (LGW). The objective of this research is to assess the decrease in thermal gain, energy benefits, and estimate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are not emitted by the use of the LGW. Measurements of heat flux, solar radiation, and temperatures were made on a concrete wall and another with an LGW in a west-facing building in the city of Mexicali, Mexico. The results indicate that it is possible to reduce 49% of the heat flow through the wall, which reduces the thermal load 102,212 Btu/h to the indoor space, implying the additional work of 8.53 tons of AC. This excess equals 985.6 kWh of electrical energy and generates a total of 697 kg of CO₂ emissions during the warm season. It is concluded that shading with an LWG becomes a very influential element to mitigate the heat fluxes towards the indoor spaces.

Suggested Citation

  • Angeles Campos-Osorio & Néstor Santillán-Soto & O. Rafael García-Cueto & Alejandro A. Lambert-Arista & Gonzalo Bojórquez-Morales, 2020. "Energy and Environmental Comparison between a Concrete Wall with and without a Living Green Wall: A Case Study in Mexicali, Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:13:p:5265-:d:377836
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kikegawa, Yukihiro & Genchi, Yutaka & Kondo, Hiroaki & Hanaki, Keisuke, 2006. "Impacts of city-block-scale countermeasures against urban heat-island phenomena upon a building's energy-consumption for air-conditioning," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(6), pages 649-668, June.
    2. Néstor Santillán-Soto & O. Rafael García-Cueto & Alejandro A. Lambert-Arista & Sara Ojeda-Benítez & Samantha E. Cruz-Sotelo, 2019. "Comparative Analysis of Two Urban Microclimates: Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-11, April.
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