Modelling façade temperature using meteorological data

Abstract

Urbanization has increased drastically during the last century, and in 2007, the urban population exceeded that of the rural. Urban areas tend to be warmer than those of its surrounding due to the urban heat island effect (UHI) which can bring harmful effects to people living in urban areas. The increasing urbanization has highlighted the need for urban climate models to inform our decisions as we expand our cities. In this report, the UCGfaçade22 (Urban Climate Group façade temperature 2022) model was developed to estimate façade temperature using meteorological data including incoming shortwave radiation, air temperature and wind speed as well as physical variables inherent to the building. The model results were compared to observed façade temperatures an east- and a south-facing façade of the Geovetarcentrum in Gothenburg, Sweden as well as the SOlar and LongWave Environmental Irradiance Geometry-model (SOLWEIG). The results show a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.85 °C and 1.30 °C between the observed and estimated façade temperatures on the east and south façade, respectively. The model was compared to SOLWEIG on one clear day and resulted in a decrease in MAE of 2.15 °C.