Thermal Comfort and Climatic Potential of Ventilative Cooling in Italian Climates

The chapter describes several climate-correlated variables and suitable key performance indicators (KPIs) to define the local ventilative cooling potential. Furthermore, a methodology is presented to verify potential correlations between climate KPIs and indoor comfort parameters. The latter values are calculated by adopting dynamic energy simulations (EnergyPlus) and comfort models – both Fanger (ISO 7730) and the recently updated EU adaptive comfort approach (EN 16798-1) – considering a sample building unit. Simulations are run by using a parametric-enabling tool developed by the research unit to check correlations and is part of work performed for the PRELUDE project, co-funded by the EU, Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 958345. The approach is applied to the whole Italian territory considering typical yearly (hourly defined) meteorological conditions for all municipalities (about 8000 data points). Strong connections between climate and building KPIs are underlined together with the high potential of ventilative cooling in reducing discomfort and energy needs in the Italian territory.