INCIHUSA   20883
INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS HUMANAS, SOCIALES Y AMBIENTALES
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Assessing the solar potential of low-density urban environments in Andean cities with desert climates: the case of the city of Mendoza, in Argentina
Autor/es:
ARBOIT, MARIELA EDITH, DE ROSA CARLOS
Lugar:
Torino, Italia
Reunión:
Congreso; CONGRESSO NAZIONALE SULL’EDILIZIA SOSTENIBILE III EDIZIONE; 2009
Resumen:
Tipo de trabajo: Poster Session 2. Area posterAbstract:In arid regions with intense solar radiation such as those of the Andean provinces of Argentina; it is possible to save energy by means of an adequate control of the urban morphology, the reduction of heat losses through building envelopes  and the increase of Direct Solar Gain (DG) for space heating.The first part of this study aims at diagnosing the current situation in low-density urban zones in Mendoza’s Metropolitan Area (MMA), by assessing the present level of energy sustainability of the existing building stocks. The morphological features of the city and buildings are responsible for their environmental and energy performance, including the possible combinations of technological alternatives of the existing buildings. Moreover, the maximum possible recycling of existing building stocks is considered essential to minimize environmental impacts throughout urban building’s life cycle.In the second part, the same analysis was performed for a theoretically improved situation, in which a set of possible upgrading strategies was implemented, modifying some morphological and technological features aimed at obtaining higher energy efficiency.  Presently, the study is limited to existing low-density building stocks.The feasibility of using the region’s generous solar  resource for  space heating, showed that potential energy savings, of around 80 % can be obtained in low density residential urban areas by recycling, implementing  additional energy conservation measures and direct gain solar systems.Key words: urban morphology, solar access, energy conservation, energy savings, urban indicators.