Digital Urban Simulation : Documentation of the Teaching Results from the Autumn Semester 2015

Digital Urban Simulation | Name of the project
Radiation analysis and PV potential
In order to estimate the solar potential of the buildings in the HQ , we use the radiation analysis tool
of Ladybug to generate a solar irradiation map. We develop further a tool that takes the results from
Ladybug and estimates if certain areas are eligible for the installation of PV or not and generates a visual
output of the suited areas. The decision is made based on an economic calculation and the efficiency
of the PV modules. Taking into account the price per m2 of PV systems (1000 CHF/m2), the average
lifetime (30 years), the efficiency (16%) and the market price of electricity in Switzerland (0.2 CHF/kWh),
Radiation we come to the analysis conclusion and that PV a threshold potential of 1040 kWh/m2 of solar irradiation is needed in order to
make PV profitable.
In order to estimate the solar potential of the buildings in the HQ , we use the radiation analysis tool of Ladybug
to After generate running a solar the irradiation script for map. both We existing develop situation further a tool and that planned takes the intervention, results from we Ladybug noticed and an estimates increase if
certain of 5’780 areas MWh are PV eligible potential for the in installation the “Syntheseplan”. of PV or not This and represents generates a an visual increase output of of 32% the suited from areas. the initial The
decision is made based on an economic calculation and the efficiency of the PV modules. Taking into account the
potential of 18’050 MWh. Moreover, the new image of the areas suited for PV generation shows a
price per m2 of PV systems (1000 CHF/m2), the average lifetime (30 years), the efficiency cy (16%) and the market
much better distribution with bigger areas on flat roofs. Even with the significant improvement, the PV
price of electricity in Switzerland (0.2 CHF/kWh), we come to the conclusion that a threshold hold of 1040 kWh/m2 of
electricity production would cover only ca. 26% of the total electricity demand of the present quarter
solar irradiation is needed in order to make PV profitable.
(90’000MWh).
After running the script for both existing situation and planned intervention, we noticed an increase of 5’780
MWh Besides PV potential the distribution in the “Syntheseplan”. off solar radiation This represents on the building an increase stock, of we 32% produce from the also initial maps potential that show of 18’050
the
MWh. solar radiation Moreover, on the the new ground image plane. of the First, areas this suited shows for PV which generation areas are shows highly a much sheltered better from distribution the sun with
and
bigger if there areas on buildings flat roofs. that Even suffer with from the significant the lack improvement, of solar radiation. the PV Secondly, electricity this production type of would representation
cover only
ca. could 26% be of the a new total kind electricity of “ground demand floor of the plan”, present one quarter inspired (90’000MWh). by our era where energy seems to be the
driving factor of urban design. Although a direct expression of energy flows, these maps have also a
Besides human the scale. distribution They show off how solar “narrow” radiation on or “closed” the building a space stock, feels we produce or how also close maps its perception that show the is to solar
the
radiation one of an on interior the ground space. plane. The First, bluer this a spot, shows the which more areas it is are enclosed highly sheltered and perceived from the as sun belonging and if there to the are
buildings’ that private suffer space from the rather lack than of solar to radiation. the public Secondly, space of this the type city. of representation n could be a new kind of
“ground floor plan”, one inspired by our era where energy seems to be the driving factor of urban design. Although
a direct expression of energy flows, these maps have also a human scale. They show how “narrow” or “closed” a
space feels or how close its perception is to the one of an interior space. The bluer a spot, the more it is enclosed
and perceived as belonging to the buildings’ private space rather than to the public space of the city.
Init
Sitaon PVenergy PVarea letriitydemand CoveredbyPV
# MWh m2 MWh %
Original 18,050 102756 90,0000 20.06
Syntheseplan 23,900 123513 90,0000 26.56
elavehange 32.41 20.20 0.000 32.41
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New Methods in Urban Analysis and Simulation | Final project documentation
Chair of
Information
iA Architecture