Modeling urban microclimate : development, implementation and evaluation of new and improved calculation methods for the urban microclimate model ENVI-met
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Abstract
In this dissertation, major developments of the scientifically well-established microclimate model ENVI-met are presented. The new developments are evaluated based on proof-of-concept scenarios as well as by comparisons against measurements.
Improvements in the modeling of plants have been undertaken that allow the simulation of the microclimatic benefits and the vitality of plants as an organism. Proof-of-concept simulations and a comparison with measured data showed that due to the improvements of the vegetation model ENVI-met is now capable to accurately model plant-based parameters such as transpiration and leaf area temperatures. Based on the implementation of an isoprene emission model ENVI-met's chemistry model has been extended by isoprene-induced reactions, which lead to changes in the concentration of tropospheric ozone. Proof-of-concept simulations have confirmed the validity of the model. ENVI-met's wall and roof model has been extended by multiple computation nodes, which enable the construction of more complex walls and roofs consisting of different materials. This allows a more accurate calculation of the interior temperature as well as the facade temperatures. Proof-of-concept simulations as well as a comparison of modeled facade temperatures with measurement data from the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics Holzkirchen showed very high agreement. The coupling of the larger scale climate model MUKLIMO_3 of the German Meteorological Service with the microscale model ENVI-met has been improved. Simulation results of coupled model runs in simplified model areas showed very promising results. In more complex model areas, however, the discrepancies in the near-ground surface temperatures do not seem to be fully resolved yet.