Large Climate-Moderating Envelopes for Enclosed Structures-a Preliminary Evaluation of Energy Conservation Potential

Abstract

One method of reducing the energy consump tion of one or more buildings is to isolate the buildings within a large envelope. The envelope moderates the effects of sun, wind and precipitation and provides a more benign climate for habitation, commerce and, in some climates, agricultural ac tivities. In this paper, results of a preliminary study of the qualitative energy conservation benefits are given for a large climate-moderating envelope (LCME). The study included the effects of weather, fluid circulation and radiant transport within the envelope and energy storage in the earth mass beneath the LCME. Based on model studies for selected days, the annual energy savings for summer-dominated climates was estimated to be ∼70%. The energy savings for a winter-dominated climate LCME were estimated to be some what smaller, ∼40%.

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