Conserving energy through high-performance architecture to curb urban overheating
The problem
Urban overheating is a major global issue affecting more than 500 cities worldwide . It arises from human activity , such as waste heat from industry , cars and cooling , and building with heat-absorbing materials , and has an adverse effect on health , energy and the economy . Additionally , as our cities heat up , heat-related morbidity and mortality rise .
Our solution
More on this story
Reducing our energy use and its greenhouse gas emissions is vital to achieving global energy and climate goals , says Scientia Professor Mattheos ( Mat ) Santamouris . Heat-mitigation strategies improve our energy efficiency and make our cities more sustainable , economical , equitable and liveable .
Mat Santamouris is a world-leading expert in energy , building and construction , and the Anita Lawrence Professor of High- Performance Architecture at UNSW . He researches energy conservation in high-performance architecture , notably heatmitigation strategies to curb urban overheating . His research has significant health , economic , equity and environmental impacts .
He develops new-generation materials and nanotechnologies that reflect rather than absorb solar radiation to provide greater thermal comfort . These materials – for example , “ super cool ” roofs and pavements – can reduce peak urban temperatures by up to 4 º C and decrease cooling-related emissions , reducing heat-related morbidity and mortality .
His team has conducted a technological and cost-benefit analysis of adopting cool roof technology across major Australian cities . The study found city-wide implementation of cool roofs would reduce energy bills , lower indoor temperatures , decrease urban heating and improve the health of vulnerable populations .
Energy conservation assists with energy poverty ( 20 % of developed nations cannot afford their energy needs ), reduces the environmental footprint of buildings ( responsible for 40 % of the total energy consumption in developed nations ), and creates greater energy efficiency .
Mat Santamouris and his team are involved with more than 200 large-scale heat-mitigation projects around the world in Europe , the Americas , Asia and Australia .
Our collaboration
Mat Santamouris ’ s team analysed the applicability of cool roof technology in Australia with :
> the Department of Industry , Science , Energy and Resources ( DISER ) who funded the project .
62 .