Urban-Scale Energy Models: relationship between urban form and energy performance

Building geometry, urban morphology and local climate are crucial aspects to optimize the energy performance of buildings at neighborhoods scale. In addition, urban form is a key parameter in modifying solar availability in densely built-up areas. This paper explores relationships between urban form and energy performance with implications for solar energy production on building roofs. This study investigated six neighborhoods of Turin (Italy) analyzing the urban morphology and the solar potential, taking into account the urban block typologies found across the city. From the energy simulations –made with the use of an urban-scale energy model– it has been found that in densely urban context, the optimal shape of the building –with low energy consumption and high solar energy production– must have a surface-to-volume ratio that varies between 0.37 m2/m3 for favorable orientated buildings and 0.35 m2/m3 for unfavorable oriented ones. These results could help in the design phase of new neighborhoods or in the reuse of existing buildings and empty spaces to promote the transition to low-carbon energy.