Contrasting the performance capabilities of urban radiation field between three microclimate simulation tools

摘要

Radiation heat in urban areas has detrimental effects on outdoor environments and building energy consumption. A better method for quantifying solar radiation in cities is very important. In order to compare the performance differences between three urban micmclimate simulation softwires in the urban radiation field, ENVI-met, RayMan, and SOLWEIG were selected as the research objects. The output radiation parameters and the radiation calculation models were analyzed. Effects of underlying surface and enclosure modes of buildings on the radiation field were simulated separately. The differences in radiation field performance simulations of the three tools were compared from several aspects, including long-wave, short-wave, direct, and reflected radiation. It was found that all three softwires can calculate the effect of space enclosure on direct and diffuse radiation. RayMan has the highest sensitivity and fastest simulation speed, but it has few output radiation parameters, and it cannot simulate reflected radiation very well. ENVI-met can calculate the most radiation parameters and has the lowest errors; it can also calculate long- and short-wave radiation between building surfaces. SOLWEIG can be used for simulation in large outdoor spaces, but it has the highest errors.