Bringing simulation to implementation: presentation of a global approach in the design of passive solar buildings under humid tropical climates

• Published in: Solar energy Vol. 71; no. 2; pp. 109 - 120
• Main Authors: Garde, F, Mara, T, Lauret, A.P, Boyer, H, Celaire, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2001; Elsevier; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings; Climate; Design; Energy; Energy efficiency; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Mechanics; Miscellaneous; Natural energy; Physics; Solar energy; Thermics; Reunion; Indian Ocean Islands; Central America; Guadeloupe; America; West Indies; Solar cooling systems; Passive solar buildings; Residential building; Architectural design; Thermal insulation; Housing; Tropical climate; Natural ventilation; Solar house; Building Design; ECODOM; CODYRUN
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/S0038-092X(01)00031-7

In early 1995, a DSM pilot initiative was launched in the French islands of Guadeloupe and La Reunion through a partnership between several public and private partners (the French Public Utility EDF, the University of Reunion Island, low cost housing companies, architects, energy consultants, etc…) to set up standards to improve thermal design of new residential buildings in tropical climates. This partnership led to defining optimized bio-climatic urban planning and architectural designs featuring the use of passive cooling architectural principles (solar shading, natural ventilation) and components, as well as energy efficient systems and technologies. The design and size of each architectural component with regard to internal thermal comfort in buildings has been assessed with validated thermal and airflow building simulation software (CODYRUN). These technical specifications have been edited in a reference document which has been used to build over 800 new pilot dwellings through the years 1996–2000 in Reunion Island and in Guadeloupe. Monitoring experiments were held in these first ECODOM dwellings in 1998 and 1999. This resulted in experimental validation of the impact of the passive cooling strategies on the thermal comfort of occupants leading to the modification of specifications when necessary. The paper presents all the methodology used for the application of ECODOM, from the simulations to the experimental results. This follow up is important, as the setting up of the ECODOM standard will be the first step towards the introduction of thermal regulations in the French overseas territories, by the year 2002.