Cooling cities : innovative water-based cooling systems in the era of rrban heat

This study investigates the effectiveness of an innovative Cooling Facade system in urban environments, aiming to improve thermal comfort and mitigate impacts related to heat stress. The Downdraft Evaporative Water (DEW) Cooling Facade incorporates adiabatic cooling and wind ventilation as the main principles for cooling, using technology and design techniques such as nebulization systems and a wind catcher design to create an innovative and energy-efficient cooling solution for outdoor settings. The research explores various design variables to optimize the system's performance, such as facade materials, panel width, installation height, and water spray rates. Simulations were conducted in a testbed to analyse the impact of different configurations on thermal comfort, mainly evaluating air temperature (Ta) and the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), which are used as determinant variables in the decision-making progress of the prototype optimization. The results indicated a significant reduction in Ta and UTCI, contributing to improved thermal comfort and reduced heat stress in urban environments. Furthermore, the DEW Cooling Facade system has the potential to capture air pollutants during the nebulization process, thus, indirectly promoting outdoor activities and better health among city dwellers. The study underscores the significance of integrating considerations of urban morphology, microclimatic conditions, and adiabatic cooling principles into spatial planning endeavours. This is critical for formulating sustainable, innovative strategies to combat outdoor heat stress. It also emphasizes the potential of integrating innovative technologies, such as the DEW Cooling Facade, to address the growing challenges of thermal comfort in cities.

raffreddare le città: sistemi di raffreddamento innovativi a base d'Acqua nell'Era del Calore Urbano