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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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Evaluation of resilient cooling strategies in different European climates events

Author

Term

4. Term

Publication year

2025

Submitted on

Abstract

Dette studie undersøger klimarobuste kølestrategier for kontorbygninger i København, Rom og London under nuværende, fremtidige og ekstreme vejrsituationer samt ved to belægningsniveauer. Med tidsbaserede computersimuleringer vurderes, hvor godt hver strategi begrænser overophedning, opretholder termisk komfort og forbedrer energieffektiviteten. Tiltag som nordvendte facader, mindre vinduesarealer, halverede g-værdier (som lader mindre solvarme trænge ind) og naturlig ventilation klarede sig konsekvent godt på tværs af sammenhænge. Derimod svækkede større vinduesarealer og lavere U-værdier ofte robustheden (U-værdi angiver, hvor let varme passerer gennem en bygningsdel; lavere værdier betyder bedre isolering, som kan fastholde varme om sommeren). Scenarier med dobbelt belægning var mere udfordrende end de moderate, langsigtede temperaturstigninger, og hedebølger viste sig som den hårdeste test. Arbejdet præsenterer en praktisk ramme for at designe og vurdere klimarobuste bygninger og giver beslutningstagere handlingsnære råd til at indføre adaptive kølestrategier. Ved at fremhæve kontekstspecificerede løsninger og bæredygtighed bidrager resultaterne til at fremtidssikre det byggede miljø mod stigende klimarisici.

This study assesses climate-resilient cooling strategies for office buildings in Copenhagen, Rome, and London under present, future, and extreme weather, and at two occupancy levels. Using time-based computer simulations, it evaluates how well each strategy limits overheating, maintains thermal comfort, and improves energy efficiency. Measures such as north-facing facades, smaller window areas, halved g-values (letting in less solar heat), and natural ventilation consistently performed well across settings. In contrast, larger window areas and lower U-values often reduced resilience (U-value indicates how easily heat passes through a building element; lower values mean better insulation, which can trap heat in summer). Double-occupancy scenarios were more challenging than the moderate long-term temperature increases, and heatwaves were the toughest test. The work offers a practical framework for designing and assessing climate-resilient buildings and provides decision-makers with actionable guidance for implementing adaptive cooling strategies. By emphasizing context-specific solutions and sustainability, these findings help future-proof the built environment against escalating climate risks.

[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]