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This study presents an approach to simulating building-integrated photovoltaic glazing systems composed of semitransparent organic photovoltaic (ST-OPV) elements. The approach consists of a mathematical cosimulation model based on the energy balance of complex glazing systems, considering heat transfer as conduction, mixed convection, and radiation effects. The cosimulation method is based on a functional mock-up unit (FMU) developed in Python and the building simulation program Domus. This work aims at presenting a cosimulation technique that can be easily applied to building energy simulation tools for the assessment of photovoltaic energy generation in glazing systems. The cosimulation glazing model was verified according to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140-2011, and the zone temperature was kept within with a root medium square error (RMSE) of 1.45 °C. The simulated building with an ST-OPV system showed promising results and could be applied to near-zero energy buildings since each 6-m 2 glazing has a power generation of around 77 W, equivalent to 9% of available solar resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since some years, dense cities and compact buildings are promoted as sustainable and energy efficient designs. Nevertheless, urban planning strategies should take into account the interactions between buildings and the microclimate because the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon can increase the cooling load of buildings and is strongly influenced by urban morphology, urban landscaping and the thermal properties of buildings and soil. The modification of these parameters, such as building density, can mitigate UHI, with direct and indirect improvement of building energy performances. The case study presented in this paper concerns a new district in La Rochelle (France) named Atlantech. Currently at the design stage, the goal is to transform this old military camp into a zero carbon district. This study was performed in parallel with urban planning using EnviBatE and SOLENE-Microclimate simulation. Two building densities are compared through the impacts on solar irradiance, wind airflows, building indoor temperatures and energy demand. Analysis of reference and densified district highlights various impacts such as the wind velocity decrease, up to 80%, and the effect on an existing nearby building solar irradiation, reduced by 7%. These results underline the potential usefulness of these simulation tools for urban planners at the design stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]