On the possibility of using simple weather forecast in the adaptation of building envelopes for energy efficiency

Abstract

Adaptive building envelopes consist in having components with possibly variable properties that may adapt to weather conditions in order to increase the energy efficiency. Simulation-based optimization of properties needs meteorological data. In this paper, the possibility of using simple weather forecast for the adaptation of a building envelope on a weekly basis is examined. A simple approach is defined and tested on the case of an office space situated in Beirut, Lebanon. The results are compared to those obtained with detailed meteorological data, which shows good matching.