Photovoltaïc integration in urban environment
Host organizations
Hiring Institution
Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL)
PhD-Awarding Institutions
Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL)
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Position Description
Proposed projects
Option 1
Impact of urban PV systems on atmospheric flows and heat island effect
The purpose of the PHD-thesis relies on impacts of massive integration of photovoltaic (PV) panels and PV power plants within urban environment. Indeed, urban areas are the seat of complex and nonlinear physical phenomena: time variability and intermittency of the solar resource, atmospheric pollution conditions, wind channeling effect and turbulent intensities as well as inter building effects.
Developing an integrated methodology taking into consideration urban multi-physics (including solar radiation and atmospheric boundary layer) and multi-scales (spatial heterogeneities) features appears then as a crucial issue for the evaluation of PV contribution to the heat Island effect.
The objective of the proposed PhD study is to investigate the interaction between the atmospheric boundary layer usually modeled as a logarithmic velocity profile and building integrated PV power systems. In particular, the zero plane displacement (ground) and the roughness length needs to be redefined in accordance.
The work will be based on LES simulations and on data processing methods such as proper orthogonal decomposition in order to identify dynamical and thermal coherent structures that may affect locally turbulent mixing and in consequence the parameters of the atmospheric boundary layer.
Option 2
Investigation of influence of the Urban assemblies and surface radiative properties on city climate
The purpose of the PHD-thesis relies on impacts of massive integration of photovoltaic (PV) panels and PV power plants within urban environment. Indeed, urban areas are the seat of complex and nonlinear physical phenomena: time variability and intermittency of the solar resource, atmospheric pollution conditions, wind channeling effect and turbulent intensities as well as inter building effects.
Developing an integrated methodology taking into consideration urban multi-physics (including solar radiation and atmospheric boundary layer) and multi-scales (spatial heterogeneities) features appears then as a crucial issue for the evaluation of PV contribution to the heat Island effect.
The objective of the proposed PhD study is to investigate the contribution of PV systems and their layout (on facades and roofs) on the local urban warming. The effects of radiative coatings to enhance cooling of PVs in order to mitigate environmental impact will be also investigated.
The work will be based on LES simulations, the air being modeled as a gray gas, and on data processing methods such as proper orthogonal decomposition in order to identify dynamical and thermal coherent structures that may affect locally turbulent mixing and in consequence the urban climate mitigation.
Option 3
Impact of BIPV configuration on buildings and local climate
The purpose of the PHD-thesis relies on impacts of massive integration of photovoltaic (PV) panels and PV power plants within urban environment. Indeed, urban areas are the seat of complex and nonlinear physical phenomena: time variability and intermittency of the solar resource, atmospheric pollution conditions, wind channeling effect and turbulent intensities as well as inter building effects.
Developing an integrated methodology taking into consideration urban multi-physics (including solar radiation and atmospheric boundary layer) and multi-scales (spatial heterogeneities) features appears then as a crucial issue for the evaluation of PV contribution to the heat Island effect and of the energy savings of buildings.
The objective of the proposed PhD study is to investigate building integrated photovoltaic and thermal components (BIPV-T) that meet electricity and heating demand of buildings. In particular, research will be undertaken to find optimal conditions to maximise energy generation without large impact on local urban warming.
The work will be based on LES simulations, data processing and optimization methods in order to assess the global balance according to typologies of buildings and districts.
Supervisors
Research Areas
Fluid mechanics, Energy, Building Engineering