Energy Saving Potential of Passive and Low Energy Cooling Techniques in Buildings in Ghana
The gradual shift from the traditional approach of outdoor processes of habitation in Ghana to the indoor, coupled with increased use of information technology, and ingress of solar radiation, liberate excess heat into buildings and make occupants feel uncomfortable. A straight forward response to excess heat in buildings in Ghana has been the adoption of an air conditioner. Air conditioner use leads to high peak electricity demand and emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This paper identifies passive and low energy techniques which can improve thermal comfort in buildings for the different climate zones of Ghana, and consequently reduce electricity demand and environmental effects due to air conditioning. The energy saving potential for use of passive and low energy cooling techniques was determined by plotting climatic data comprising average monthly temperature and relative humidity for a thirty year period (19762005) for a total of ten towns and cities from the various climatic zones of Ghana on the Building Bioclimatie chart. It is aimed at encouraging innovative and individual design solutions amongst building design professionals. The reduction of the peak cooling-energy demand would be of great interest to the power generating industries. It will also be of interest to building investors, as it will imply a possible reduction in the required installed plant capacity. It will also be an essential element in Ghanas Climate Change Mitigation Program.
Energy saving Bioclimatic approach Passive cooling techniques Thermal comfort Ghana
Samuel Amos-Abanyiel Fred Ohene Akuffo Victor Kutin-Sanwu
Department of Architecture,Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,Ghana Departrnent of Mechanical Engineering,Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,Ghana
国际会议
The 6th International Symposium on Heating,Ventilating and Air Conditioning(第六届国际暖通空调学术会议)
南京
英文
130-137
2009-11-06（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）