Urban meteorological forcing data for building energy simulations

Despite building energy use being one of the largest global consumers, simulations rarely take actual local neighbourhood scale climate into account. A new globally applicable approach is proposed to support buildings design. ERA5 (European Centre Reanalysis version 5) data are used with SUEWS (Surface Urban Energy and Water balance Scheme) obtain (in this example case) an urban typical meteorological year (uTMY) that usable in modelling. The predicted annual demand (heating cooling) for a representative four-storey London residential apartment using uTMY 6.9% less (cf. conventional TMY). New vertical profile coefficients wind speed air temperature EnergyPlus derived SUEWS. EneryPlus these data, predict top two floors have ~10% larger open terrain data). Vertical variations greater impact on simulated than equivalent temperature. This appliable can provide modelling, improving design context through characterising surrounding neighbourhood.