Keywords
Hot-arid regions
Energy efficiency
Strategic landscaping
Microclimate improvement
Categories
How to Cite
Abstract
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a hot and arid climate, with the maximum summer temperature above 50°C. This high temperature can significantly hinder energy generation and usage since air conditioning is extensively used during the summer and is the primary cause of energy consumption. These researchers have to develop innovative solutions to overcome the above issues, as these would help decrease energy usage and improve the microclimate. In this study, the researchers have determined the efficiency of having green spaces to improve outdoor thermal comfort and decrease energy consumption in residential complexes that were developed by KSA’s Ministry of Housing (M.o.H). For this purpose, they have used a hybrid model that combined field data analysis and simulation modelling techniques to determine the effect of strategic landscaping on the microclimate and subsequent energy consumption. Their study showed that the integration of green spaces leads to a 3% decrease in annual energy consumption. The results noted in this study implied that the above interventions could improve thermal comfort in hot and arid conditions as they decreased the outdoor temperatures by 1.5°C and increased relative humidity in the area by 10% during the major summer months. The findings highlight how planned landscaping can help address environmental and energy challenges in areas with extreme climates.
References
GCC-STAT. Country Profile- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Internet]. Statistical Center - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 2014 [cited 2018 May 24]. Available from: https://gccstat.org/en/country-profile/sa
Alfraidi S, Mesloub A, Alshenaifi M, Noaime E, Ahriz A, Boukhanouf R. Experimental investigation of thermal performance of three configurations evaporative cooling systems (ECS) using synthetic grass wet media materials. Energy Build. 2024; 306: 113956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.113956
Alshenaifi MA, Mesloub A, Alfraidi S, Noaime E, Ahriz A, Sharples S. Passive cooling and thermal comfort performance of Passive Downdraught Evaporative Cooling (PDEC) towers in a Saudi library: An on-site study. Build Environ. 2024; 258: 111586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111586
GAS. Household Energy Survey 2017. Saudi Arabia; 2017.
IEA statistics. Electric power consumption [Internet]. The World Bank; 2014 [cited 2021 May 22]. Available from: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.USE.ELEC.KH.PC?most_recent_value_desc=true
Srivastav S, Jones PJ. Use of traditional passive strategies to reduce the energy use and carbon emissions in modern dwellings. Int J Low-Carbon Technol. 2009; 4(3): 141-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijlct/ctp021
Ciotoiu I, Nash G, Gheorghiu D. Vernacular architecture as a model for contemporary design. Eco-Architecture III. 2020; 157-69.
Aldubyan M, Gasim A. Energy price reform in Saudi Arabia: Modeling the economic and environmental impacts and understanding the demand response. Energy Policy. 2020; pp. 1-31. https://doi.org/10.30573/KS--2020-DP12
Faruqui A, Hledik R, Wikler G, Ghosh D, Prijyanonda J. Bringing Demand-Side Management to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Brattle Group; 2011.
IPCC. Projections of Future Climate Change. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; 2001.
Nasir MN, Bengi KS. The energy mix dilemma in Indonesia in achieving net zero emissions by 2060. ASEAN Nat Disaster Mitig Educ J. 2024; 2(1): 99-113. https://doi.org/10.61511/andmej.v2i1.2024.951
Almazroui M, Islam MN, Jones PD, Athar H, Rahman MA. Recent climate change in the Arabian Peninsula: Seasonal rainfall and temperature climatology of Saudi Arabia for 1979-2009. Atmos Res. 2012; 111: 29-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2012.02.013
Al-Ahmadi K, Al-Ahmadi S. Rainfall-altitude relationship in Saudi Arabia. Adv Meteorol. 2013; 2013(1): 363029. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/363029
Almazroui M. Temperature variability over Saudi Arabia and its association with global climate indices. J King Abdulaziz Univ Environ Arid L Agric Sci. 2011; 23(1): 85-108. https://doi.org/10.4197/Met.23-1.6
Medina DC, Delgado McG, Amores TRP, Toulou A, Ramos JS, Domínguez SÁ. Climatic control of urban spaces using natural cooling techniques to achieve outdoor thermal comfort. Sustain. 2022; 14(21): 14173. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114173
Lai D, Liu W, Gan T, Liu K, Chen Q. A review of mitigating strategies to improve the thermal environment and thermal comfort in urban outdoor spaces. Sci Total Environ. 2019; 661: 337-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.062
Von Arx G, Graf Pannatier E, Thimonier A, Rebetez M. Microclimate in forests with varying leaf area index and soil moisture: Potential implications for seedling establishment in a changing climate. J Ecol. 2013; 101(5): 1201-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12121
Smith C, Levermore G. Designing urban spaces and buildings to improve sustainability and quality of life in a warmer world. Energy Policy. 2008; 36(21): 4558-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2008.09.011
Speak AF, Rothwell JJ, Lindley SJ, Smith CL. Reduction of the urban cooling effects of an intensive green roof due to vegetation damage. Urban Clim. 2013; 3: 40-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2013.01.001
Santamouris M. Cooling the cities - A review of reflective and green roof mitigation technologies to fight heat island and improve comfort in urban environments. Sol Energy. 2014; 103: 682-703. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2012.07.003
Morakinyo TE, Kalani KWD, Dahanayake C, Ng E, Chow CL. Temperature and cooling demand reduction by green-roof types in different climates and urban densities: A co-simulation parametric study. Energy Build. 2017; 145: 226-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.03.066
Abu Ali M, Alawadi K, Khanal A. The role of green infrastructure in enhancing microclimate conditions: A case study of a low-rise neighborhood in Abu Dhabi. Sustain. 2021;13(8): 4260. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084260
Ochoa JM, Marincic I, Coch H. The use of vegetation in hot arid climates for sustainable urban environments. Innov Renew Energy. 2022; 311-36. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68556-0_12
Ren Z, Wang C, Guo Y, Hong S, Zhang P, Ma Z, et al. The cooling capacity of urban vegetation and its driving force under extreme hot weather: A comparative study between dry-hot and humid-hot cities. Build Environ. 2024; 111901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111901
Bevilacqua P, Perrella S, Cirone D, Bruno R, Arcuri N. The role of thermal storage in distributed air-conditioning plants: Energy and environmental analysis. Int J Archit Eng Technol. 2020; 7: 88-104. https://doi.org/10.15377/2409-9821.2020.07.7
Al-Homoud MS, Krarti M. Energy efficiency of residential buildings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Review of status and future roadmap. J Build Eng. 2021; 36: 102143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102143
Williams-Mcbean CT. The value of a qualitative pilot study in a multi-phase mixed methods research. Qual Rep. 2019; 24(5): 1055-64. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3833
Raftery P, Keane M, Costa A. Calibration of a detailed simulation model to energy monitoring system data: A methodology and case study. Elev Int IBPSA Conf. 2009; 1199-206.
Ayyad YN, SS. Envi-MET validation and sensitivity analysis using field measurements in a hot arid climate. IOP Conf Ser. 2019; 329: 012040. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/329/1/012040
Huang H, Xie W, Sun H. Simulating 3D urban surface temperature distribution using ENVI-MET model: Case study on a forest park. Int Geosci Remote Sens Symp. 2015; 1642-5. https://doi.org/10.1109/IGARSS.2015.7326100
Crank PJ, Sailor DJ, Ban-Weiss G, Taleghani M. Evaluating the ENVI-met microscale model for suitability in analysis of targeted urban heat mitigation strategies. Urban Clim. 2018; 26: 188-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2018.09.002
Sunarya W. The importance of site on house heating energy modelling in Wellington - Integrating EnergyPlus with ENVI-met for site modelling. 2020. Available from: /articles/thesis/The_importance_of_site_on_house_heating_energy_modelling_in_Wellington_-_Integrating_EnergyPlus_with_ENVI-met_for_site_modelling/17142758/2
ENVI-met. Model, a holistic microclimate. ENVI-met. 2020.
Detommaso M, Costanzo V, Nocera F. Application of weather data morphing for calibration of urban ENVI-met microclimate models: Results and critical issues. Urban Clim. 2021; 38: 100895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2021.100895
Ozkeresteci I, Crewe K, Brazel AJ, Bruse M. Use and evaluation of the ENVI-met model for environmental design and planning: an experiment on linear parks. Proc 21st Int Cartogr Conf. 2023; 2023(9): 52-63.
Chakraborty D, Elzarka H. Performance testing of energy models: Are we using the right statistical metrics? J Build Perform Simul. 2018; 11(4): 433-48. https://doi.org/10.1080/19401493.2017.1387607
Taha MA. Standards for open-spaces landscape design in residential neighbourhoods with hot and dry context. Electr Interdiscipl Miscell. 2020; (30): 1-16.
Xu C, Gong L, Jiang T, Chen D, Singh VP. Analysis of spatial distribution and temporal trend of reference evapotranspiration and pan evaporation in Changjiang (Yangtze River) catchment. J Hydrol. 2006; 327(1-2): 81-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2005.11.029
Westdyk D. 50712 @ scholar.sun.ac.za. Stellenbosch Univ. 2007. Available from: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/50712
Syafii NI, Ichinose M, Wong NH, Kumakura E, Jusuf SK, Chigusa K. Experimental study on the influence of urban water body on thermal environment at outdoor scale model. Procedia Eng. 2016; 169: 191-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.10.023
Gómez-Muñoz VM, Porta-Gándara MA, Fernández JL. Effect of tree shades in urban planning in hot-arid climatic regions. Landsc Urban Plan. 2010; 94(3-4):149-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2009.09.002
Shashua-Bar L, Pearlmutter D, Erell E. The cooling efficiency of urban landscape strategies in a hot dry climate. Landsc Urban Plan. 2009; 92(3-4): 179-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2009.04.005
Raftery P, Keane M, O’Donnell J. Calibrating whole building energy models: An evidence-based methodology. Energy Build. 2011; 43(9): 2356-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.05.020
ENVI-met. ENVI-met overview. 2019 [cited 2020 Mar 8]. Available from: https://www.envi-met.com/
Sodoudi S, Cubasch U. Using the ENVI-MET program to simulate the microclimate in new Town HASHTGERD. 2014. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265550643
Bande L, Afshari A, Al Masri D, Jha M, Norford L, Tsoupos A, et al. Validation of UWG and ENVI-met models in an Abu Dhabi district, based on site measurements. Sustain. 2019;11(16): 4378. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11164378
Cárdenas J, Osma G, Caicedo C, Torres A, Sánchez S, Ordóñez G. Building energy analysis of Electrical Engineering Building from DesignBuilder tool: Calibration and simulations. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng. 2016; 138(1): 012013. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/138/1/012013
Habibi A, Kahe N. Evaluating the role of green infrastructure in microclimate and building energy efficiency. Buildings. 2024; 14(3): 825. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030825
Alshahrani J, Boait P. Reducing high energy demand associated with air-conditioning needs in Saudi Arabia. Energies. 2018; 12(1): 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12010087
Moscoso-García P, Quesada-Molina F. Analysis of passive strategies in traditional vernacular architecture. Buildings. 2023; 13(8): 1984. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13081984
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Aldersoni