Impacts of climate change on building cooling demands in the UAE

Kirk Shanks, Elmira Nezamifar

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    Abstract

    A large proportion of electricity in the UAE is consumed in meeting air conditioning cooling demands in buildings where, up to 80% of a buildings total electricity demand is for cooling. With projected climate changes in the UAE predicting an increase in annual mean temperature of 2.8⁰C and minimal reductions in relative humidity and global solar radiation by 2050, cooling energy demands are set to increase. This paper reports on a study of how the climatic drivers of cooling energy demand change under a ‘business-as-usual’ scenario of climate change. A typical UAE office building is simulated under generated annual hourly weather datasets of 2020, 2050 and 2080. The results show an increase in cooling demand of 22.2% by 2050 and 40.0% by 2080. The comparative effect of climate changes on a number of heat gain sources and paths are examined and discussed to identify the most effective solutions for improving resilience.

    Original languageEnglish
    Publication statusPublished - 10 Dec 2013
    EventSB13 Dubai: Advancing the Green Agenda Technology, Practices and Policies - Knowledge Village, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    Duration: 8 Dec 201310 Dec 2013

    Conference

    ConferenceSB13 Dubai: Advancing the Green Agenda Technology, Practices and Policies
    Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
    CityDubai
    Period8/12/1310/12/13

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