ASU Scholarship Showcase

This study investigates the impact of urban form and landscaping type on the mid-afternoon microclimate in semi-arid Phoenix, Arizona. The goal is to find effective urban form and design strategies to ameliorate temperatures during the summer months. We simulated near-ground air temperatures for typical residential neighborhoods in Phoenix using the three-dimensional microclimate model ENVI-met. The model was validated using weather observations from the North Desert Village (NDV) landscape experiment, located on the Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus. The NDV is an ideal site to determine the model's input parameters, since it is a controlled environment recreating three prevailing residential landscape types in the Phoenix metropolitan area (mesic, oasis, and xeric). After validation, we designed five neighborhoods with different urban forms that represent a realistic cross-section of typical residential neighborhoods in Phoenix. The scenarios follow the Local Climate Zone (LCZ) classification scheme after Stewart and Oke. We then combined the neighborhoods with three landscape designs and, using ENVI-met, simulated microclimate conditions for these neighborhoods for a typical summer day. Results were analyzed in terms of mid-afternoon air temperature distribution and variation, ventilation, surface temperatures, and shading. Findings show that advection is important for the distribution of within-design temperatures and that spatial differences in cooling are strongly related to solar radiation and local shading patterns. In mid-afternoon, dense urban forms can create local cool islands. Our approach suggests that the LCZ concept is useful for planning and design purposes.

During much of 2009 and 2010, the alternative energy marketplace has been in a state of unpredictable change. The financial landscape is uncertain and profits are slim. Many companies are wondering if the journey to find alternative means for energy production is worth the investment. Wind, hydro and solar projects are all struggling to make ends meet in an economic landscape that predicts success but presents challenges. Strong, lean and agile companies seem to be able to maintain a slim competitive advantage afloat, while larger, slower companies are drowning in a myriad of intricate supply chains and non-existent credit. This paper evaluates innovation opportunities for alternative energy companies, with a focus on large scale, highly integrated solar providers.