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Decreasing Water Footprint of Electricity and Heat by Extensive Green Roofs: Case of Southern Italy

Author

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  • Behrouz Pirouz

    (Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy)

  • Stefania Anna Palermo

    (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy)

  • Mario Maiolo

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy)

  • Natale Arcuri

    (Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy)

  • Patrizia Piro

    (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy)

Abstract

Electrical and energy production have a noticeable water footprint, and buildings′ share of global energy consumption is about 40%. This study presents a comprehensive experimental analysis of different thermal impacts and water consumption of green roofs in a Mediterranean climate. The study aims to investigate the use of water directly for green roofs and reduce the water footprint of energy in summer and winter due to its thermal impacts. The measurements were carried out for an extensive green roof with an area of 55 m 2 and a thickness of 22 cm, and direct water consumption by a green roof and direct and indirect water consumption by cooling and heating systems were analyzed. According to the analysis, in summer, the maximum roof temperature on a conventional roof was 72 °C, while under the green roof it was 30.3 °C. In winter, the minimum roof temperature on a conventional roof was −8.6 °C, while under the green roof it was 7.4 °C. These results show that green roofs affect energy consumption in summer and winter, and the corresponding thermal requirements for the building have a water footprint regarding energy production. In summer, the thermal reduction in the water footprint by a green roof was 48 m 3 if an evaporative air conditioner is used and 8.9 m 3 for a compression air conditioner, whereas the water consumed in the green roof was 8.2 m 3 . Therefore, using water directly in the green roof would reduce the energy consumption in buildings, and thus less water has to be used in power plants to provide the same thermal impact. In winter, green roofs′ water consumption was higher than the thermal water footprint; however, there is no need to irrigate the green roof as the water consumed comes from precipitation. This experimental analysis determines that in the Mediterranean climate, green roofs allow the achievement of the same thermal conditions for buildings in both summer and winter, with a reduction in water consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Behrouz Pirouz & Stefania Anna Palermo & Mario Maiolo & Natale Arcuri & Patrizia Piro, 2020. "Decreasing Water Footprint of Electricity and Heat by Extensive Green Roofs: Case of Southern Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:23:p:10178-:d:457610
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    Cited by:

    1. Hisham Alghamdi & Aníbal Alviz-Meza, 2023. "A Novel Strategy for Converting Conventional Structures into Net-Zero-Energy Buildings without Destruction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Piero Bevilacqua & Stefania Perrella & Daniela Cirone & Roberto Bruno & Natale Arcuri, 2021. "Efficiency Improvement of Photovoltaic Modules via Back Surface Cooling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, February.
    3. 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).
    4. Domenico Mazzeo & Giuseppe Oliveti, 2020. "Advanced Innovative Solutions for Final Design in Terms of Energy Sustainability of Nearly/Net Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-5, December.
    5. Behrouz Pirouz & Stefania Anna Palermo & Seyed Navid Naghib & Domenico Mazzeo & Michele Turco & Patrizia Piro, 2021. "The Role of HVAC Design and Windows on the Indoor Airflow Pattern and ACH," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-31, July.

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