A Comparative Study on the Distribution Models of Incident Solar Energy in Buildings with Glazing Facades
Abstract
:1. Introduction
- (1)
- Weight method
- (2)
- Monte Carlo method
- (3)
- Radiosity-irradiation method (RIM)
2. Radiation Models
2.1. Overview
2.2. Absorptance-Weighted Area Ratios Method
2.3. Radiosity-Irradiation Method
3. Results and Discussions
3.1. Room Description
3.2. Distribution of Direct Solar Radiation
3.3. Distribution of Diffuse Solar Radiation
3.4. Distribution of Total Solar Radiation
3.5. Specific Distribution of Total Solar Energy in the Enclosure
3.6. Error Analysis of Calculation Results of TRNSYS, EnergyPlus, and Airpak
- (1)
- The calculation results of the solar radiation distribution model used in TRNSYS do not change over time and have significant errors. The distribution ratio of floor 1 is relatively small, while the distribution proportion of the other indoor surfaces is relatively large.
- (2)
- The calculation results of the solar radiation distribution model used in EnergyPlus have significant errors too, as the distribution ratio of floor 1 is too large, and the distribution ratios of the other surfaces are relatively small. This is because it is assumed that all direct solar radiation falls to the ground after entering the room. The calculation results vary over time, and due to the constant distribution ratio of direct and diffuse solar radiation on each surface in the same room, the distribution of solar radiation on each surface is affected by the direct solar heat gain and the diffuse radiation heat gain.
- (3)
- The calculation results of the solar radiation distribution model used in Airpak are relatively close to the calculation results of the asymmetrical solar radiation distribution model. The main error is the solar radiation distribution ratios of the indoor surfaces near the south glazing facade are underrated, especially the indoor surfaces that have not been exposed to direct solar radiation. For example, the east 1 and ceiling 1 at 10:00 on June 21st.
4. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
- High-Rise Building Database. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Available online: https://www.ctbuh.org/ (accessed on 1 August 2023).
- Bessoudo, M.; Tzempeliko, A.; Athienitis, A.K.; Zemreanu, R. Indoor thermal environmental conditions near glazed façade with shading devices- Part I: Experiments and building thermal model. Build. Environ. 2010, 45, 2506–2516. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Arens, E.; Gonzalez, R.; Berglund, L. Thermal comfort under an extended range of environmental conditions. ASHRAE Trans. 1986, 92, 18–26. [Google Scholar]
- He, B.J.; Wang, J.; Liu, H.; Ulpiani, G. Localized synergies between heat waves and urban heat islands: Implications on human thermal comfort and urban heat management. Environ. Res. 2020, 193, 110584. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sadeghi, M.; De Dear, R.; Morgan, G.; Santamouris, M.; Jalaludin, B. Development of a heat stress exposure metric–Impact of intensity and duration of exposure to heat on physiological thermal regulation. Build. Environ. 2021, 200, 107947. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- He, B.J.; Zhao, D.X.; Dong, X.; Zhao, Z.; Li, L.; Duo, L.; Li, J. Will individuals visit hospitals when suffering heat-related illnesses? Yes, but…. Build. Environ. 2021, 208, 108587. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Feng, C.Q.; Ma, F.G.; Wang, R.; Xu, Z.; Zhang, L.; Zhao, M. An experimental study on the performance of new glass curtain wall system in different seasons. Build. Environ. 2022, 219, 109222. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hwang, R.L.; Shu, S.Y. Building envelope regulations on thermal comfort in glass facade buildings and energy-saving potential for PMV-based comfort control. Build. Environ. 2011, 46, 824–834. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Xu, C.; Li, S.; Zhang, X. Application of the CPMV index to evaluating indoor thermal comfort in winter: Case study on an office building in Beijing. Build. Environ. 2019, 162, 106295. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hajdukiewicz, M.; Geron, M.; Keane, M.M. Calibrated CFD simulation to evaluate thermal comfort in a highly-glazed naturally ventilated room. Build. Environ. 2013, 70, 73–89. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Singh, M.C.; Garg, S.N.; Jha, R. Different glazing systems and their impact on human thermal comfort—Indian scenario. Build. Environ. 2008, 43, 1596–1602. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kraus, R.; Winter, E.R.F.; Ibele, W. Investigation of the energy flows for transparent and nontransparent building façade. Sol. Energy 1993, 51, 481–493. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kontoleon, K.J. Dynamic thermal circuit modeling with distribution of internal solar radiation on varying façade orientations. Energy Build. 2012, 47, 139–150. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kontoleon, K.J. Glazing solar heat gain analysis and optimization at varying orientations and placements in aspect of distributed radiation at the internal surfaces. Appl. Energy 2015, 144, 152–164. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Cao, S.W. Room Thermal Process and Air-Conditioning Load; Shanghai Scientific and Technological Literature Press: Shanghai, China, 1991; pp. 71–80. ISBN 7-80513-837-0. (In Chinese) [Google Scholar]
- TRNSYS, version 18; A Transient System Simulation Program; Solar Energy Laboratory. University of Wisconsin-Madison: Madison, WI, USA, 2022.
- EnergyPlus, version 23.2.0; Engineering reference–Version 23.2.0 Documentation; Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Berkeley, CA, USA, 2023.
- Fluent Inc. Airpak 3.0 User’s Guide; Fluent Inc.: New York, NY, USA, 2007. [Google Scholar]
- Oliveto, V.; Patel, B.N.; Park, K.; Smith, D.E.; Hughes, M.D.; Borca-Tasciuc, D.-A. Theoretical investigation of asymmetric light interfaces for increasing optical efficiency of luminescent solar concentrators via integration of finite element simulation results with Monte Carlo ray tracing. Renew. Energy 2023, 218, 119314. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Liu, C.Y.; Zheng, X.R.; Yang, H.B.; Tang, W.; Sang, G.; Cui, H. Techno-economic evaluation of energy storage systems for concentrated solar power plants using the Monte Carlo method. Appl. Energy 2013, 352, 121983. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ahmadpour, A.; Dejamkhooy, A.; Shayeghi, H. Optimization and modelling of linear Fresnel reflector solar concentrator using various methods based on Monte Carlo Ray–Trace. Sol. Energy 2022, 245, 67–79. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Manni, M.; Bonamente, E.; Lobaccaro, G.; Goia, F.; Nicolini, A.; Bozonnet, E.; Rossi, F. Development and validation of a Monte Carlo-based numerical model for solar analyses in urban canyon configurations. Build. Environ. 2020, 170, 106638. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sparrow, E.M.; Cess, R.D. Radiation Heat Transfer; Hemisphere: Washington, DC, USA, 1978; ISBN 0-07-059910-6. [Google Scholar]
- Wen, J.; Smith, T.F. Absorption of solar energy in a room. Sol. Energy 2002, 7, 283–297. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Actual SolarHeat Gain W | The Spring Equinox 3412.8 | The Summer Solstice 1637.5 | The Winter Solstice 3896 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Discrete Grids and Calculation Duration | Solar Heat Gain Calculated W | Error | Solar Heat Gain Calculated W | Error | Solar Heat Gain Calculated W | Error | |
66 (2 s) | 3060.5 | 10.3% | 1000.4 | 38.9% | 4363.9 | −12% | |
264 (45 s) | 3660.4 | −7.3% | 1743.5 | −6.5% | 3770.7 | 3.2% | |
1650 (8 m 20 s) | 3376.4 | 1.1% | 1501.5 | 8.3% | 3906.9 | −0.3% | |
3200 (18 h 33 m) | 3374.4 | 1.1% | 1727.6 | −5.5% | 3887.8 | 0.2% |
Actual Solar Heat Gain of the Summer Solstice W | Number of Judgment Points | Solar Heat Gain Calculated | Error |
---|---|---|---|
1637.5 | 4 | 1727.6 | −5.5% |
9 | 1670.7 | −2.0% | |
16 | 1629.7 | 0.5% | |
25 | 1629.9 | 0.5% |
South Glazing | Floor | North Wall | Ceiling | West Wall | East Wall | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
average W/m2 | 68.4 | 49.3 | 21.3 | 18.7 | 15.9 | 18.6 |
maximum W/m2 | 93.3 | 374.7 | 68.7 | 40.5 | 47.8 | 69.3 |
Time | Indoor Surface | Asymmetrical Distribution Model | TRNSYS | EnergyPlus | Airpak |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 21st 10:00 | south | 39.01% | 38.40% | 35.48% | 35.48% |
floor 1 | 18.30% | 9.99% | 39.93% | 16.39% | |
west 1 | 8.95% | 8.87% | 3.14% | 8.35% | |
east 1 | 7.22% | 9.56% | 3.14% | 5.41% | |
ceiling 1 | 7.30% | 9.56% | 3.14% | 5.41% | |
floor2 | 2.51% | 3.51% | 1.06% | 4.79% | |
west 2 | 2.62% | 3.55% | 3.14% | 5.24% | |
east 2 | 2.97% | 3.91% | 3.14% | 5.41% | |
ceiling 2 | 3.03% | 3.91% | 3.14% | 5.41% | |
north | 8.08% | 8.74% | 4.71% | 8.11% | |
June 21st 12:00 | south | 39.09% | 38.40% | 35.48% | 35.48% |
floor 1 | 22.73% | 9.99% | 39.70% | 21.82% | |
west 1 | 5.49% | 8.87% | 3.16% | 5.06% | |
east 1 | 7.54% | 9.56% | 3.16% | 5.76% | |
ceiling 1 | 6.76% | 9.56% | 3.16% | 5.06% | |
floor2 | 2.25% | 3.51% | 1.10% | 4.11% | |
west 2 | 2.40% | 3.55% | 3.16% | 5.06% | |
east 2 | 2.72% | 3.91% | 3.16% | 5.02% | |
ceiling 2 | 2.85% | 3.91% | 3.16% | 5.06% | |
north | 8.17% | 8.74% | 4.74% | 7.58% |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Lu, S.; Huang, X.; Chen, T.; Wang, Z. A Comparative Study on the Distribution Models of Incident Solar Energy in Buildings with Glazing Facades. Buildings 2023, 13, 2659. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102659
Lu S, Huang X, Chen T, Wang Z. A Comparative Study on the Distribution Models of Incident Solar Energy in Buildings with Glazing Facades. Buildings. 2023; 13(10):2659. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102659
Chicago/Turabian StyleLu, Shunyao, Xiaoqing Huang, Tao Chen, and Zhengzhi Wang. 2023. "A Comparative Study on the Distribution Models of Incident Solar Energy in Buildings with Glazing Facades" Buildings 13, no. 10: 2659. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102659
APA StyleLu, S., Huang, X., Chen, T., & Wang, Z. (2023). A Comparative Study on the Distribution Models of Incident Solar Energy in Buildings with Glazing Facades. Buildings, 13(10), 2659. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102659