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Climate Engineering: The Future of Comfortable Outdoor Spaces

By Jane | Published on  
Learn about how climate engineering can create comfortable outdoor spaces, including stadiums, through factors like thermal comfort, perceived temperature, and the use of solar power and radiant cooling technology. Explore the benefits and applications of climate engineering in outdoor environments.

The idea of hosting the Football World Cup in Qatar during the hot and sunny summer months of June and July has raised concerns about the feasibility of holding games and ensuring the comfort of players and spectators in the desert climate. However, the architects of Albert Speer and Partner and engineers from Transsolar have come up with a solution to this problem. They have developed open-air stadiums that run on 100% solar power and 100% solar cooling, making it possible to create a comfortable outdoor environment despite the high temperatures.

One of the main factors influencing thermal comfort in outdoor environments is the perceived temperature. While air temperature is an important factor, it is not the only one. Other parameters such as the direct and diffused sun, wind, air humidity, and radiant temperature of the surroundings also play a crucial role in determining our level of comfort. To understand the driving parameter that gives us a perceived temperature, scientists have developed a parameter that helps designers understand which parameters make people feel comfortable or uncomfortable.

To create a comfortable environment in outdoor stadiums, climate engineering plays a vital role. One example of this is the use of radiant cooling technology. By embedding water pipes in the floor and using cold water to release the heat absorbed during the day in the stadium, designers can create a comfortable environment. Adding dry air instead of down-chilled air allows spectators and players to adjust to their individual comfort needs and energy balance.

In addition, the architects and engineers involved in the project have come up with the idea of 100% solar power for cooling, which is based on using the roof of the stadiums and training pitches as PV systems. This means that they do not borrow energy from history or their neighbors, but harvest energy from the sun, and then use it for cooling, thus balancing the energy grid. This is not only useful for stadiums, but can also be applied in open-air places and streets, as seen in the City of the Future in Masdar, which uses the same idea to create outdoor conditions that are perceived as comfortable.

By using climate engineering, architects and engineers can create outdoor environments that are comfortable, sustainable, and enjoyable for everyone.

When it comes to designing outdoor spaces that are comfortable for people to be in, it’s important to understand the difference between thermal comfort and air temperature. While air temperature is one of the key factors that influences thermal comfort, it is not the only one.

Other factors that contribute to thermal comfort include the direct and diffused sun, wind, air humidity, and radiant temperature of the surroundings. All of these parameters play a crucial role in determining how comfortable people feel in a particular environment. For example, a day with a high air temperature may not feel as uncomfortable if there is a mild wind and low humidity.

It’s also important to note that people have different comfort levels based on their individual energy balance. This means that what feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. For this reason, it’s important to design outdoor spaces that allow people to adjust to their individual comfort needs.

To better understand how these factors influence thermal comfort, scientists have developed a parameter called perceived temperature. By using perceived temperature, designers can take into account all of the parameters that influence thermal comfort and create outdoor environments that are comfortable for everyone.

In the context of outdoor stadiums, this means taking into account factors like wind, shading, and radiant cooling technology in addition to air temperature. By doing so, designers can create an environment that is comfortable for players and spectators alike, even in hot and sunny environments like Qatar.

There are several factors that influence thermal comfort in outdoor environments. These factors include air temperature, wind, humidity, and solar radiation.

Air temperature is the most obvious factor, as it directly affects how hot or cold people feel. However, wind can either increase or decrease thermal comfort depending on its speed and direction. A gentle breeze on a hot day can help cool people down, while a strong wind can increase heat loss from the body and make people feel cold.

Humidity is another important factor, as high humidity can make people feel much hotter than the actual air temperature. This is because high humidity reduces the ability of sweat to evaporate from the skin, which is the body’s natural cooling mechanism.

Finally, solar radiation is an important factor that influences thermal comfort in outdoor environments. Direct sunlight can make people feel much hotter than if they were in the shade, and the angle of the sun can also affect thermal comfort. For example, the low angle of the sun in the early morning or late afternoon can create more comfortable conditions than the high angle of the midday sun.

In the context of outdoor stadiums, designers must take all of these factors into account when creating a comfortable environment for players and spectators. This may involve using shading structures to block direct sunlight, designing seating areas to take advantage of natural ventilation, and using radiant cooling technologies to create a more comfortable environment. By considering all of these factors, designers can create outdoor spaces that are comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.

Perceived temperature is a parameter that takes into account all of the factors that influence thermal comfort in outdoor spaces, including air temperature, wind, humidity, and solar radiation. By using perceived temperature, designers can create outdoor environments that are comfortable for everyone, regardless of their individual comfort needs.

For example, in the context of outdoor stadiums, designers may aim for a perceived temperature of around 32 degrees Celsius, which is considered to be extremely comfortable for most people. Achieving this level of comfort may involve using shading structures, radiant cooling technologies, and other design features that take into account all of the factors that influence thermal comfort.

By considering perceived temperature, designers can create outdoor spaces that are enjoyable and welcoming for everyone, even in hot and sunny environments like Qatar. This is particularly important for outdoor events like the World Cup, where spectators and players may be exposed to the elements for extended periods of time.

Overall, perceived temperature is a powerful tool that can help designers create outdoor spaces that are comfortable, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. By taking into account all of the factors that influence thermal comfort, designers can create outdoor spaces that people will want to visit and enjoy, regardless of the weather conditions.

Radiant cooling technology is a powerful tool that can help designers create comfortable outdoor stadiums even in hot and sunny environments. By using this technology, designers can cool the air temperature without relying on traditional air conditioning systems that can be expensive and energy-intensive.

One way to use radiant cooling technology is to embed water pipes into the floor of the stadium. These pipes can be used to circulate cold water, which absorbs the heat that has been absorbed by the stadium during the day. By releasing this heat back into the environment, designers can lower the perceived temperature in the stadium and create a more comfortable environment for everyone.

Another way to use radiant cooling technology is to add dry air instead of chilled air. By using this approach, designers can create an environment that is comfortable for everyone, regardless of their individual comfort needs. This is because dry air allows individuals to adjust their own energy balance, which is essential for maintaining thermal comfort.

Overall, radiant cooling technology is a powerful tool that can help designers create outdoor stadiums that are comfortable, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. By using this technology, designers can reduce the energy consumption of traditional air conditioning systems while also creating a more comfortable environment for everyone in the stadium.

Using 100% solar power for cooling in outdoor spaces is not only a sustainable approach but also a practical one. By covering the roofs of stadiums and training pitches with photovoltaic systems, designers can harvest the energy of the sun and use it to power their cooling systems.

This approach is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. By using solar power, designers can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and help lessen the negative effects of climate change. Additionally, the use of solar power can help reduce the energy consumption of traditional cooling systems, making them more efficient and effective.

One of the key advantages of using solar power for cooling in outdoor spaces is that it can help reduce the overall carbon footprint of the stadium. By producing their own energy, stadiums can reduce their reliance on the grid and help reduce the demand for energy from traditional sources.

Overall, using 100% solar power for cooling in outdoor spaces is a smart and sustainable approach that can help create comfortable and environmentally friendly spaces. By harnessing the power of the sun, designers can create outdoor stadiums that are enjoyable for everyone while also helping to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.

The principles of climate engineering and sustainable design can be applied to a wide range of outdoor spaces beyond stadiums. For example, in the city of Masdar, architects and engineers have used these principles to create a central plaza that is comfortable and enjoyable for visitors even in the hot summer months.

One of the key elements of this design is shading, which helps protect visitors from the sun’s direct and diffuse rays. The use of shading devices, such as umbrellas and canopies, can create comfortable outdoor spaces that are not only cool but also visually appealing.

Another important element of sustainable design is the use of natural materials and water features. Water can be used to cool the air and stabilize temperatures, while natural materials like grass and trees can create a cooling effect and provide shade. In addition, the use of dehumidified air can help create a comfortable outdoor environment even in hot and humid climates.

Overall, the principles of climate engineering and sustainable design can be applied to a variety of outdoor spaces beyond stadiums, including public parks, plazas, and shopping centers. By using shading devices, natural materials, and sustainable technologies, designers can create comfortable and enjoyable outdoor spaces that are both environmentally friendly and visually appealing.

Creating comfortable outdoor environments is not only possible but also essential for our well-being. By understanding the different factors that influence thermal comfort and using climate engineering techniques such as radiant cooling and 100% solar power, we can design outdoor spaces that are pleasant to be in even in hot and sunny climates. However, in addition to these technical solutions, it is also important to change our perception of what constitutes thermal comfort in outdoor environments.

As the speaker in the video explained, many people confuse ambient air temperature with thermal comfort. However, there are many other factors at play, such as wind, humidity, and radiant temperature. By focusing on the perceived temperature, which takes into account all of these factors, we can design outdoor spaces that are comfortable for people to be in even when the air temperature is high.

Moreover, it is important to shift our mindset towards accepting and enjoying outdoor environments rather than always seeking to escape them. By creating comfortable outdoor spaces, we can encourage people to spend more time outside and connect with nature, which has many positive benefits for both physical and mental health.

In conclusion, changing our perception of thermal comfort in outdoor environments is just as important as using technical solutions to create comfortable spaces. By understanding the factors that influence our comfort and designing spaces that take these factors into account, we can create outdoor environments that are enjoyable and beneficial for all.

As we have seen, designing outdoor spaces that are both comfortable and sustainable is a complex challenge. However, with the application of climate engineering and innovative technologies, it is possible to create outdoor environments that are pleasant and enjoyable, even in the hottest and most humid climates.

One key takeaway from this discussion is the importance of understanding the difference between air temperature and thermal comfort. While air temperature is a critical factor, it is not the only one that influences our perception of comfort. Other factors, such as wind, humidity, and radiant temperature, must also be taken into account when designing outdoor spaces.

Another critical concept discussed in this post is the idea of perceived temperature. By understanding how different climatic parameters impact our thermal comfort, designers and engineers can aim to create outdoor spaces with a perceived temperature that is comfortable for most people. This goal can be achieved through a combination of passive design strategies, such as shading and shelter, and active technologies, such as radiant cooling systems.

One of the most exciting developments in sustainable outdoor design is the use of 100% solar power for cooling. By harnessing the energy of the sun, designers and engineers can create outdoor spaces that are not only comfortable but also sustainable. This approach has already been successfully applied in the design of stadiums for the upcoming football World Cup in Qatar.

Beyond stadiums, climate engineering and innovative technologies can be used to create comfortable and sustainable outdoor spaces in a wide range of settings, from public parks to shopping malls. By changing our perception of thermal comfort in outdoor environments, we can create spaces that are not only functional but also enjoyable and conducive to human well-being.

In conclusion, the challenge of designing sustainable and comfortable outdoor spaces is one that requires a holistic approach, taking into account a wide range of climatic parameters and human needs. However, by harnessing the power of climate engineering and innovative technologies, we can create outdoor environments that are not only functional but also enjoyable, sustainable, and conducive to human well-being.