Coupling urban climate modeling and city-scale building energy simulations with the statistical analysis: Climate and energy implications of high albedo materials in Seoul

The present study represents a pioneering effort to evaluate the urban cooling effect from the city-scale application of high albedo materials on urban buildings' energy consumption in Seoul. To address the existing research gap, the study combined urban climate modeling, city-scale building energy simulations, and statistical analysis involving actual energy data. The findings showed that cool materials have a high potential to mitigate urban overheating and its negative consequences on building energy use. The integration of higher albedo materials resulted in monthly temperature drops and energy use reductions of up to 2.08 degrees C and 2.91 kWh/m2, respectively. Additionally, it was found that the highest temperature and energy use drops of up to 2.99 degrees C and 7.70 kWh/m2, respectively, were observed during the daytime, while at night, the reductions were comparatively lower, not exceeding the values of 1.59 degrees C and 3.20 kWh/m2. The urban climate modeling allowed considering the albedo impacts on the microclimate. Meanwhile, the city-level energy simulation tool enabled accounting for urban morphology. Finally, real energy data and statistical analysis were utilized to develop an energy prediction model. The methodology and findings of this study can be used as guidelines for developing urban planning strategies and designing energy-efficient buildings.