Comparing micro-scale weather data to building energy consumption in Singapore

Abstract

Weather data plays an important role for energy performance assessment in the design of buildings and urban environments. Many researches have been carried out to generate and analyse various weather files for different simulation platforms. However, investigations have been lacking in the development of weather files reflecting on urban texture variables that account for urban heat island (UHI) problems. The objective of this research is to demonstrate the importance for creating a micro-scale typical meteorological year (TMY) weather file that is based on actual urban texture values. A method is demonstrated to generate new TMY weather files for different micro-scale areas in Singapore based on recent years’ weather data. A comparative impact analysis is made between using the current weather file and the new weather files in terms of energy consumption. Based on the results, the dry bulb temperature of the new TMY is 1–2 °C higher, while the energy consumption prediction increased from 3.25% to 11%. Comparing with actual energy consumption figures the results show to be closer than when using the old TMY. Hence the new weather files will be more credible than the original TMY for energy performance simulation in the design process.