The effect of the Athens heat island on air conditioning load

The effect of the summer heat island of the western part of the Greater Ath ens area on cooling energy and peak power is investigated using the buildin g energy estimating software DOE2.1.E [DOE2.1.E User's Guide, Lawrence Berk ely Lab., CA, USA] and measured values of temperature and other meteorologi cal data at selected sites. A very large difference between the cooling ene rgy and peak power in the western Greater Athens area on one hand and the e astern edge of the heat island on the other hand, is evidenced for the year 1997. The difference is shown to be smaller for the year 1998 though, whic h was characterized by an exceptionally hot summer, which apparently affect ed the eastern part of the Greater Athens area more than the western part. The calculations made based on the typical meteorological year of Athens wi thout taking the heat island related effects into account are shown to unde restimate both energy consumption and peak power. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.