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Optimizing urban block morphologies for net-zero energy cities: Exploring photovoltaic potential and urban design prototype

  • Research Article
  • Architecture and Human Behavior
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Abstract

The morphology of urban areas plays a crucial role in determining solar potential, which directly affects photovoltaic capacity and the achievement of net-zero outcomes. This study focuses on the City of Melbourne to investigate the utilization of solar energy across different urban densities and proposes optimized morphologies. The analysis encompasses blocks with diverse population densities, examining medium and high-density areas. By utilizing a multi-objective genetic optimization approach, the urban morphology of these blocks is refined. The findings indicate that low-density blocks exhibit photovoltaic potential ranging from 1 to 6.6 times their total energy consumption. Medium and high-density blocks achieve photovoltaic potential levels approximately equivalent to 40%–85% of their overall energy consumption. Moreover, significant variations in photovoltaic potential are observed among different urban forms within medium and high-density blocks. An “elevated corners with central valley” prototype is proposed as an effective approach, enhancing the overall photovoltaic potential by approximately 14%. This study introduces novel analytical concepts, shedding light on the intricate relationship between urban morphologies and photovoltaic potential.

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Abbreviations

BD:

building density

BEI:

building expansibility index

BF2F_mean:

mean of base floor area to facade area

BH_cv:

coefficient of variation for building height

BH_mean:

mean of building height

BH_r:

range of building height

BV_mean:

mean of building volume

FA_mean:

mean of facade area

FAI:

frontal area index

FAR:

floor area ratio

NZEC:

net-zero energy consumption potential

OA_sd:

standard deviation of aspect orientation angle

RA_mean:

mean of roof area

RANSAC:

random sample consensus

Roof_PP:

roof photovoltaic potential

SA_mean:

mean of surface area

SAI:

shape area index

SCD:

space crowding density

SVF_mean:

mean of sky view factor

SVF_sd:

standard deviation of sky view factor

Total_EC:

total energy consumption

Total_PP:

total photovoltaic potential

V2SA_mean:

mean of volume to surface area ratio

Wall_PP:

wall photovoltaic potential

Window_PP:

window photovoltaic potential

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China

    Xiaotian Geng, Dong Xie & Zhonghua Gou

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  1. Xiaotian Geng
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  2. Dong Xie
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  3. Zhonghua Gou
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Correspondence to Zhonghua Gou.

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12273_2024_1104_MOESM1_ESM.pdf

Optimizing urban block morphologies for net-zero energy cities: Exploring photovoltaic potential and urban design prototype

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Geng, X., Xie, D. & Gou, Z. Optimizing urban block morphologies for net-zero energy cities: Exploring photovoltaic potential and urban design prototype. Build. Simul. 17, 607–624 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-024-1104-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-024-1104-y

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