Research plan 1.

Project title: Assessment of Solar Energy Potential in Urban Areas

Principal Investigators: Dr. Rodrigo Garca Alvarado, U. del Bo-Bo (Chile); Prof. Peter Lund, Aalto U (Finland) Site of Research: Aalto University (Dept. of Applied Physics/New Energy Technologies Group), Finland; Universidad del Bio-Bio (Fac. Architecture) and Universidad de Concepcin (Dept. Mechanical Engineering), Concepcin, Chile. Duration: 36 months.

2. Background
Finding sustainable energy solutions for urban areas is of outmost importance in solving the grand challenges in energy and climate as 2/3 of all energy use (and environmental impacts) comes from the built environment and cities. With increasing urbanization, this will grow to three-quarters by 2040. Cities may also encompass important solutions in sustainable energy as cities generate abundantly innovations and welfare (1). Sustainable cities may also mitigate energy poverty so typical in rural areas and also improve the conditions for equality. Latin American cities offer an interesting case for sustainable energy development because of the strong socio-economic development which is coupled to increasing energy consumption. Many countries in the region such as Chile have high fossil energy dependence. In parallel, new energy regulations and programs for urban constructions, including introduction of renewable energy systems, are underway e.g. in Chile, but these developments are often hampered by lack of knowledge, proper policies and measures. The local renewable energy conditions are excellent in the region, in particular solar energy which is perceived as the basic renewable energy technology for on-site and in-city energy production in urban areas (2). In particular the Chilean central-south region, which accommodates four million people and with the city of Concepcin as the main urban center, offers a unique study case due to excellent climatic conditions along with extensive residential structures (3). Interestingly, Concepcin is located in the middle of forests similarly as many Finnish smaller cities. The synergies and complementarity of including both Chile and Finland under a common study framework offer a good research basis to investigate urban regulation and renewable energy systems, integration of renewables into the energy system, progressive architecture, innovation policies all important elements of a multidisciplinary approach to increase sustainability in cities. Though renewable energy and solar energy are under extensive investigation internationally, and developments for sustainable or solar cities are under way (e.g. Mashdar in UAE, Dongtang in China), the scientific bases for employing solar energy extensively and optimally in a city scale are still to be elaborated. We recognize also international efforts under International Energy Agency, EUs Smart Cities technology platform, among others, to increase the use of renewable energy in urban context, but
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often these initiatives include information exchange and demonstration activities, whereas increasing the scientific understanding of the associated phenomena, interactions and solutions, which is the starting-point of this proposal, remain on the background. The number of renewable energy options for urban areas is large, but these need be utilized outgoing from the local conditions and limitations. Bioenergy (incl. waste) and solar energy offer perhaps the best intra-urban possibilities for renewable energy utilization in urban areas, and often these can be connected to different urban energy networks (electric grid, district heating) as well. Sometimes a combination of several technologies, for example renewables together with energy efficiency may provide the most effective solution. Combined heat and power of various sizes (micromacro CHP) offers many benefits for RE utilization. Solar energy provides a multitude of options that can be scaled-up from single family use to wholedistrict concepts. The forms of solar energy are ample ranging from increasing the solar access through urban planning or building design to active components for on-site heating, cooling and electricity generation. Therefore, solar energy can be considered as a primary option for sustainable cities, though its role may remain complimentary at high latitudes due to large seasonal variations in solar insolation. The RE use in urban areas is not just a question of technology, but several other factors need also considered in a multi-disciplinary fashion to find best solutions locally. For instance the following dimensions deserve attention: local climate, local resources, development history, relation to and control over region, state of development and prosperity, government form and institutional capacity, structure and level of civil society involvement, degree of control over energy generation and distribution assets, among others (4). The Chilean team has previous experience from such a multifactor approach in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in central-south Chile (5). Relationships between building form, energy performance and climate were studied, with prioritization of urban density and solar absorption with a major positive impact. Another research (6) demonstrates that shape, layout and consideration of density closely interact. It concludes that it is necessary to incorporate solar efficiency considerations in the design of neighborhoods and public spaces, and indicates a methodology for systematic integration of such considerations in the design. A city is a large energy user (often >> TWh/a) meaning that renewable energy (RE) need be employed in large scale albeit its distributed nature if aiming at a major energy and climate impact. Here the Finnish team has developed methodologies and concepts for large-scale RE exploitation in urban areas (7). They have shown that through coupling RE utilization to final energy use and providing adequate spatial transmission capabilities, the share of renewable electricity can be raised considerably from previously thought maximum levels (8). Normally solar energy is sized to correspond to the self-use limit of energy (in particular for electricity), but employing electricity-to-thermal conversion for surplus RE electricity and using it for final use of thermal energy as well, the amount of RE can be 2-3folded. E.g. in a sun-belt country a solar fraction >>90% in a city would be possible, and even in a midlatitude site beyond 50% is possible. We have identified relevant literature for this project in order to move beyond the state-of-the art. These range from measures on single-buildings (9; 10), handling RE in whole urban context (11; 12;
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13) to different research and planning tools (14; 15; 16). Besides, diverse estimators, models and systems for solar collection, accumulation and distribution are available (17). However, the combination of urban patterns, climate and technologies are not properly clarified. Therefore a study of these factors in comparative cases and different urban districts as proposed here can provide a methodology and tools for assessment of solar energy systems according to local conditions. Renewable energies are increasingly important and can make up a major share of the overall energy mix in the cities in the future (18). Evaluating the potential of on-site solar energy systems in urban areas is a relevant subject, from resource view point and also for social impact.

3. Objectives
Main Objective The goal of this project is to provide a coherent and tested methodology to assess the potential of different solar energy forms, technologies, and components in an urban area. The aim is then to apply this methodological framework to assess the on-site solar energy utilization potential in two quite different climatic zones: metropolitan areas of Concepcion in Chile and Helsinki in Finland, and to identify particular conditions, urban strategies and emergent solutions to promote solar energy systems. These objectives are subject to several boundary conditions which will be addressed more in detail in the realization of the project, but important features will include solar integration to the urban energy system, in particular matching energy supply and demand and spatial energy transfer; solar energy as part of urban design and city planning, solar energy as an architectural element, features of technologies available, among others. Though the focus of the proposal is on increasing the utilization of solar energy in urban areas, the interfacing of solar to other energy forms used in a city need to considered, and conditions for urban planning, building form and emergent systems, at least conceptually.

Specific objectives A set of specific objectives have been laid to guide the realization and accomplishing the main goal: To assess energy-consumption patterns, buildings morphologies and climates in urban districts. To assess solar energy resource outgoing from emergent and available technologies such as solar thermal and solar electric technologies, district heating systems and collection membranes. To elaborate a territorial model and assessment tool of solar energy features for different urban patterns and climates, a prospect of technologies proper to building forms and climate conditions and innovative proposals for the cases studied.

4. Research methods and material, ethical issues

Building an assessment model for solar energy utilization in a urban area will require addressing the final energy demand, the solar resource (in terms of final energy), finding ways to reduce the mismatch of solar output and energy demand, and finally putting these into one model in order to perform the assessment in practice. Such a model will rely on extensive input data both from the city to be studied but also from the technologies to be employed. As buildings dominate the urban districts, special attention need also be given to building integrated architecturally optimized solar technologies. The overall structure of the tasks proposed is illustrated below in Figure 1.
Urban solar resource assessment Urban energy demand assessment Building data assessment

Spatial and temporal matching of energy demand and supply (solar) matching Case studies Territorial models

Figure 1. Structure of the work plan. Figure 2 shows the analytical spatiotemporal flow process related to the methodology in the work plan.

Figure 2. Illustration of spatio-temporal distributions in urban context and their connection to energy.
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In the following, we describe the tasks of the work plan and detailed actions needed. Task 1: Collecting and analyzing solar radiation for urban districts In this task, the basic data needed in the analysis work will be collected, analyzed and synthesized to provide the required input to the resource assessment. Key data include solar resource inside the urban areas and the load data. Some data processing will be necessary. The main data source to be used is districts of Concepcin. It will be employed to determine provide a solar resource map (solar irradiance and daylight luminance) of faades using meteorological data, satellite imaging, cadastral maps and insitu analysis. Shapes and typologies will be handled statistically. The outcome of Task 1 is a 3D topological solar irradiance and daylight luminance resource map which will allow not only assessing the solar energy potential to also to optimize architectural and technological features related to solar energy use. To our knowledge, this represents a quite unique result. We will also test the concept developed from Concepcion to Helsinki in a somewhat cruder way (e.g. using roof areas only, data from Helsinki City Building Authority) to verify the method and derive input data from our second case city. However, basically Task 1 will generate a generic assessment method. Chilean team will be responsible for the implementation of equipment, collecting urban data from Concepcion districts and elaborate initial analysis; Finnish team will provide information from Helsinki and comparative studies.

Task 2: End-use and building side data collection and analysis Similar to the solar resource mapping in Task 1 which represent the supply side of energy, it will be necessary to determine the demand side as well. To do a solar and load matching exercise dynamic and spatial data should be available, e.g. for demand P(x,y,t) on an hourly basis. Typically, in cities only aggregated energy demand values are available such as total energy demand over time (simplest case one year or monthly). Therefore, disaggregation will be necessary, a kind on inversion problem. Such data has not been provided in urban context elsewhere, though different spatial distributions such as population densities or building areas exist. Also, on a yearly level energy maps may exist, but not on a shorter time scale. We approach the load data generation by combining in-situ data collection with sophisticated simulation models, which gives a first-estimate of spatiotemporal energy demand patterns in a city. Both Concepcion (detailed) and Helsinki (crude) will be employed here for testing; the method itself is general and widely applicable. When doing the in-situ data collection of load (and building) data, it is highly motivated to assess at the same time the applicability of different solar energy technologies or any combination of these (solar heating, cooling, natural ventilation, daylighting, electricity; active and passive) and their integration to the buildings. Such an analysis will require developing a proper analysis framework. An important output will be volumetric (size) indicators for solar technology utilization in the buildings of the urban area, but also considering aesthetic factors.
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Chilean team will be responsible to record building data, systems and maps implemented, and to make simulation models; Finnish team will work on analysis framework.

Task 3: Matching energy demand and solar supply Task 1 will provide a solar resource map, Task 2 the energy demand map and solar technology map for the urban area. Next step, which is the scope of Task 3, is to combine the above-mentioned information to match solar energy supply and the energy demand, striving for an optimized solar energy utilization (which may necessarily not be the maximum due to different limitations and filters to be considered in Task 3). Task 3 matching considers firstly a supply/demand (incl. storage) balance requirement imposed by the energy system itself, in particular solar energy integration into the energy system and different energy networks. Here, we will employ sophisticated complex network energy modelling to incorporate advanced energy management strategies (such as SG, E2T, E2G, V2G) which will provide more flexibility to the energy system to incorporate large amounts of solar energy into the city. Task 3 matching means also defining the correct architectures to provide the solar energy meaning filtering through several layers such as aesthetics, building ownership, economics, etc. A generic design tool will be developed in relation to urban patterns and solar energy systems analyzed. Chilean team will be responsible for develop parameters of urban buildings and systems; Finnish team will study the matching of demand and supply and both teams collaborate in the design tool and general assessment.

Task 4: Case simulations and territorial models Task 4 concerns a whole urban-area simulation to assess the recoverable solar energy in an urban environment, combining Tasks 1, 2 and 3. Here Concepcion is the main target city, Helsinki will be employed as a secondary more crude case. As there will be a huge number of variables that will affect the use of solar energy in a city, we will first concentrate on the macro-level variables with largest impact. These include suburb and building typologies, trade-off between thermal and electric energy use and visual impact. Next, the effect of a few secondary variables will be determined (these will be fixed during the project). The simulation exercises will based on districts for which reason an extrapolation to a whole city extent will be necessary. Chilean partners will apply to model to other cities in the country to provide territorial models as well.

Dissemination of results In addition to the scientific reporting of the results in journals and conferences, dissemination of the results to a broader audience and policy makers, in particular in the Latin-American context, is envisioned important and requires cooperation with key stakeholders such as the local counties, professional associations and agencies of the Chilean Ministry of Energy. Public seminars and elaboration of a printed and web handbook are regarded. Chilean team will be responsible for simulation of local cases and application of territorial models as well as to organize seminars; Finnish team will do the final reviews and outputs, and both teams will work in the publications.

5. Budget and timetable

The total budget of the project is 656,121 of which 256,619 is applied from the Academy of Finland and 232,433 from Chilean CONICYT and the remaining part being financed by the Partners.
Table 1. Financial plan for personnel costs of the project
PERSONNEL J.Mikkola N.N TOTAL OTHER COSTS travel monthly travel grant consumables COSTS TOTAL Financing Academy Financing own 1500 4500 0 2000 53521 37465 16056 4500 4500 2000 3000 4500 2000 12000 9000 6000 366599 256619 109980 Job function PhD student Post-Doc Salary[/mon] 2500 3500 2013 3 3 6 47021 2014 3 11 14 2015 11 11 22 total** 111023 228576 42 339599

120166 172412

131166 181912 91816 127338 39350 54574

* The salaries are based on VPJ, the noted salary is based on the estimated averages over 3 years. The research grant is for mobility of Finnish researchers to Chile, the amount is based on Academy of Finland recommendations in case of Chile for researchers receiving full salary. ** Costs include 51 % personnel side expenses, 73 % general side expenses

Other costs include travel costs (2 foreign travels/yr) for research visits and conference participation, and consumables (measurements). The monthly grants are to cover additional living expenses related to the Finnish scientist to work in Chile; the research visit is estimated to be endure total 4-6 months. From Aalto University NEW group side, the following persons will be involved in the project (financing source indicated): Mr. Jani Mikkola; PhD Student, partly funded through a scholarship from Fortum Foundation (2012-14)
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Mr. Juuso Lindgren: PhD Student, funded through a national graduate school (2012-15) Prof. P. Lund: estimated contribution is 1 personmonth/yr from Aalto University. N.N. post-doc: will be recruited to this project, Academy of Finland

Table 2. Financial plan for the project (Chilean group).

PERSONNEL Main researchers (5) Post-Doc (2) Ph.d. and Msc. Students (4) Services OPERATION EXP. Travels, materials and offices EQUIPMENT ADMINISTRATION COSTS TOTAL CONICYT U. Bio-Bio and U. Concepcion* 30.477 6.524 1.903 96.507 77.478 19.030 30.477 6.524 1.903 96.507 77.478 19.030 30.477 6.524 1.903 96.507 77.478 19.030 91.342 19.573 5.709 289.522 232.433 57.089 2013 13.593 24.467 11.418 8.156 2014 13.593 24.467 11.418 8.156 2015 13.593 24.467 11.418 8.156 Total 40.778 73.400 34.253 24.467

*Participation of main researchers, use of offices and laboratories.

Chilean team: Rodrigo Garcia Alvarado, Ph.D. in Architecture, Head of Ph.d. program in Architecture and Urbanism, U. Bio-Bio (digital technologies and energy efficiency in housing), Maureen Trebilcock, Ph.D. in Bio-climatic Architecture, Head of M.Sc. in Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Habitat U Bio-Bio (sustainable architecture and environmental performance of buildings). Sergio Baeriswyl, Ph.D. in Urban Management, Head of Dept. in Urban Design and Planning, U. Bio-Bio (urban management and regional development) Adelqui Fissore, PhD. in Mechanical Engineering, Head of Ph.d. in Energy, U. de Concepcin (renewable energies and energy efficiency of buildings) Cristian Cuevas, PhD. In Mechanical Engineering, U. de Concepcin, researcher in energy equipments. Paulina Wegertseder, Architect, PhD. Student in energy efficiency of housing. Javier Guarachi, Architect, PhD. Student in sustainable building. NN, Post-doctoral researcher in simulation of solar energy systems. The timetable of the work is the following:
2013 xxxx xxxx x 2014 x x xxxx 2015

Task 1 Collecting and analyzing solar radiation for urban sub-districts Task 2 End-use and building side data collection and analysis Task 3 Matching enegy demand and solar supply Task 4 Case simulations and territorial models

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6. Researchers and research environment

6.1 Research groups

In the Project, the Finnish team brings in know-how in energy systems, solar energy, and modelling and the Chilean team architecture, builiding and urban planning expertise. These competences complement each others,

The Aalto U NEW group has in total 20 persons: 1 professor, 1 adjunct professor, 4 post-docs, 8 postgraduate students, visiting researchers and several undergraduate research students. The group is led by Prof. Peter Lund. The group has ample expertise in renewable energy, in particular solar energy for built environment, modelling and simulation tools, among others. 3 persons from the group will contribute to this project. The Chilean group regards the participation of five researchers from the two main universities from the south of the country, whom work together in post-graduate programs and projects in the field with regional and national leaderships in the field. Three researchers in architecture and urbanism are from U. del Bo-Bio with experience in urban management and territorial studies, energy analysis of buildings and new building technologies. And two researchers in mechanical engineering whom come from Universidad de Concepcion, located in the same city with long-time devotion to solar energy systems. All the researchers participate in a M.Sc. in Energy efficiency and Sustainable Habitat of U. Bo-Bo, and new Ph.d. programs, as well as several research projects, thesis and related laboratories in the two institutions. Theirs projects involves around 5 post-doctoral researches, 10 PhD Students and 10 Ms.Sc. students, more a dozen of technical collaborators. It regards 2 post-doc and 4 students will incorporate in the project more services of technicians.

6.2

Research environment and facilities

The Aalto U NEW group has a good measurement facility for solar radiation, ranging from ultra-fast sampling (2Hz) to basic global solar radiation measurements (e.g. pyranometers, solar cells, spectrometers, etc.) Past experience involve an outdoor test lab for solar cells/modules. Software to be utilized in the project include in-house development of spatial models for load and solar distribution (which will further developed in this project); dynamic (hourly) building thermal and electric load assessments; multienergy carrier network modelling; low-energy building assessment tools, among others. The use of rooms and equipment of facilities currently available in the two Chilean universities is regarded, where can work the researchers, associated personnel and invited researchers. The Laboratory of Urban Studies (LEU), which has Geographical Information Systems, and the Center of Research in Building Technologies (CITEC), which has Meteorological Stations, Energy Simulation Software and Thermography Cameras, both in Universidad del Bo-Bo, and the Group in Renewable Energy of Universidad de Concepcin, which has the Laboratory of Passive Solar Energy and Laboratory of Thermal flows, with climatic chamber and test-bed for different energy devices. For the
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particular activities of the project it regards to acquire a meteorological station with radiation sensor, computers for simulations, new solar energy collectors and accessories (Flat panels, Thermosyphon, PV systems, Flexible PVs with Accumulation Tanks, Controller, Batteries and Electric Inverses) to record performances according building forms and urban districts.

6.3

Co-operation and mobility

An important part of this proposal is to increase collaboration and researcher mobility between Finland and Chile. On a practical level, frequent interaction can be to a large extent arranged of online through internet (email, Skype, Webex). In addition, periodic face-to-face meetings will be essential to coordinate the joint efforts. For this purpose, there will be short visits (1-2 weeks) on both sides on yearly basis. High quality international conferences will also provide a good meeting platform for the partners as well as an opportunity to present joint results. We estimate that there could be even up to 34 visits/events per annum for the partners to come together. While some joint work can be executed during the short visits, long term research exchange is needed to knit the work together. We have planned that researcher exchange between the Chilean and Finnish partners include also stays of post-doctoral researchers and graduate students in both sides, of around 13 months each year, in order to study local conditions and solar energy technologies. To share methodologies and activities, as well as develop thesis and outcomes. These join work of researchers and collaborators strengthen the scientific collaboration and research dissemination. In addition to the Chilean-Finnish partnership, each group in the proposal will exploit their international networks in this project.

7. Researcher training and researcher career

Consortium research groups are active in researcher training. For example Aalto U NEW group produces on average 2 PhDs a year. The funding applied for in this proposal is intended for postgraduate studies as well as for post doctoral research. Besides this, all the senior scientists, post-docs and the professors will be responsible for researcher tutoring and supervision the graduate students. The post-docs in the project will also strive for meeting qualifications to enter the tenure track programs. The post-graduate training is organized already in a routinely manner within the research groups, e.g. utilizing the Graduate School schemes. The groups recruit actively research students already at the (B.Sc./M.Sc.) level. The nominal time for D.Sc. degree is 4 years The Chilean group is involved in two Ph.D programs in the field with a Latin-American scope; a Ph.D. in Architecture and Urbanism with around 30 students, and a new Ph.D. in Energy. Besides, the faculties work in a Master in Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Habitat with more than 100 students from all countries of the continent. These programs are developing new researchers, to be included in
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the project with growth participation of young professionals and gender opportunities. The Chilean partners are developing research careers, and they are including in the proposal graduate students and post-doc researchers to strengthen a research group in the subject with international cooperation.

8. Expected research results

The expected scientific outcomes of the project are the following: 10 scientific publications, incl. conference papers internationally strengthened scientific position of both groups new co-operative projects catalyzed, in particular on international level New MSc and PhD theses in renewable energy in Latin-America; 1-2 PhD theses in Finland

The perceived social impacts are the following: increased interest from the public and industries for using solar energy in urban areas scientific basis for large-scale RE (solar) utilization in cities an optimized scheme for solar energy utilization in urban context training of professional and urban authorities in solar energy.

References
1. International Energy Agency, "Cities, Towns and Renewable Energy: Yes In My Front Yard , IEA, (2009), 194 pp. 2. Palma R., Jimnez G., Alarcon I.; Non-Conventional Renewable Energy in the Chilean Electricity Market, CNE/GTZ (2009) 146 pp. 3. Fissore, A.; La Realidad Energtica en el Sector Residencial de la Regin del Bo-Bo, Alianza de Energa y Clima de las Amricas (2009), pp. 29. 4. Droege, 110% Renewable Energy and Beyond for Cities, Commission on Cities and Climate Change, HafenCity University, 5. Celis, F.; Garcia, R.; trebilcock, M.; Escorcia, O.; Bruscato, U.; Diaz, M. Anlisis energtico de las viviendas del centro-sur de Chile. Arquiteturarevista, Vol. 8, n. 1 (2012), pp. 62-75. 6. Hachem, C.; Athienitis, A.; Fazio, P. Investigation of solar potential of housing units in different neighborhood designs. Energy and Buildings 43 (2011) pp. 22622273 7. Lund, P. Large-scale urban renewable electricity schemes Integration and interfacing aspects. Energy Conversion and Management. (2012). Article in Press 8. Niemi, R., Mikkola, J., Lund P. Urban energy systems with smart multi -carrier energy networks and renewable energy generation. Renewable Energy 48 (2012) pp. 524-536. 9. Compagnon, R. Solar and daylight availability in the urban fabric. Energy and Buildings, Vol. 36, Issue 4 (2004), pp. 321-328 10. Hachem, C.; Athienitis, A.; Fazio, P. Parametric investigation of geometric form effects on solar potential of housing units. Solar Energy 85 (2011) pp. 18641877 11. Tak-Tung, T. Quantification of solar and daylight availability in the urban fabric by irradiation mapping. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2005) 11

12. Robinson, D. Solar radiation modeling for urban environments. SEUS Solar Energy at Urban Scale Compigne: Universit de Technologie Compigne, (2010). 13.Littlefair, P.; Santamouris, M.; Alvarez, S.; Dupagne, A.; Hall, D.; Teller, J.; Coronel, J.; Papanikolaou, N. Environmental site layout planning: solar access, microclimate and passive cooling in urban areas. IHS - BRE Press (2010), 160 pp. 14. Cardenas Jirn, L.A., Planificacin de la forma urbana con criterios de eficiencia energtica. Ph.d. Thesis, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain (2011) 15. J.H. Kampf, D. Robinson, A hybrid CMA-ES and HDE optimization algorithm with application to solar energy potential, Applied Soft Computing 9 (2009) 738745 16. Capeluto, I. Design Tools for Solar and Daylight Access in Urban design. Proceedings Solar Energy at Urban Scale conference . Ed. B Beckers, Compiegne, (2010) pp 68-71 17. Myers, D.; Inventory of Solar Radiation/Solar Energy Systems, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (2009), 14 pp. 18. Intelligent Energy Europe Programme. Solar Urban Planning. POLIS Project. (2010), 58 pp.

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