In module 7, I want to design a net-zero energy stadium.
The ideal shape of the stadium is similar to the traditional stadium with a near-round shell structure to provide as much as best view to the audience as well as get enough sunlight. In addition, the upper part structure of the stadium can provide shelter from the rain. The main idea for “net zero energy” in this module as a first step to go is to add solar panels on the roofs.
According to this, the simplest model of this stadium can be a bowl shape structure with a hollow lid or a shell with a hole on the top. The model can be built as long as we fix the bottom circle, the upper outer ellipse, and the central hole circle.
Many design considerations matter, however here I choose the three decisions that I care most: net zero energy, structure, and the cost.
Step 1 - Generative Design Framework
Then it’s time to use generative design framework to analyze the three main decisions.
- Net-zero energy (sustainability)
- Design Variables
- the area of the upper part of the structure where PV panels can be placed
- Solar potential on the upper part of the structure
- Energy Consumption of the Stadium
- Evaluators
- Solar generation potential of each design
- Most Important Tradeoffs to Consider
- Energy consumptions vs. Solar Panel numbers (because the larger the stadium is, the more PV panels can be placed, but the more energy consumption the stadium has for lighting, HVAC, etc.)
- Structure
- Design Variables
- radius of bottom circle
- height of the structure
- dimension of the middle hole (either ellipse or rectangle)
- Evaluators
- capacity of the stadium
- solar potentials of the stadium
- Most Important Tradeoffs to Consider
- Amphitheatre Seating Tradeoffs
- Stadium size vs. materials cost
- Project Cost
- Design Variables
- Size of the structure
- number of PV panels placed
- what kind of PV panels we adapt
- Evaluators
- The total cost
- Most Important Tradeoffs to Consider
- If we choose cheaper but lightproof solar panels, we will spend extra money on lighting; if we choose strong light transmission panels, we can save cost on lighting during the day but they cost more
Step 2 - Generative Design Study
In step 2, I want to choose the net-zero energy goal and create a Dynamo model for further evaluation.
Inputs:
The five design variables: radius of bottom circle, x-radius of upper ellipse, y-radius of upper ellipse, radius of central hole, and height of the stadium.
I set the range of each input according to realistic dimensions of a football stadium to make it more reasonable.
Outputs:
The five output evaluators: Floor area, rooftop area, volume, the energy consumption, and the Solar PV generation
I think the tradeoff point in this situation would be that if I design a larger stadium with more rooftop area for solar panels, the energy consumption for lighting& HVAC will increase as well because of the larger scale of the stadium. On the other hand, if we want to shrink the stadium size to save energy consumption, then we will scarify the potential solar powers.
In Dynamo I first constructed the geometry model of the stadium, then I calculate the surface areas and volume. For the pv solar energy generation, I used the [rooftop area * 6.5 kWh/sf/month] as the formula. For the energy consumption, I assume that it is mainly related to the volume of the stadium, but if we have a larger inner hole on top of the stadium, then we can use less lighting during the day. As a result, I used [1/15 kWh/ft^3 * Stadium Volume - 1/40 kWh/sf * Inner hole Area].
When defining study, I set my goals as minimize energy consumption while maximize energy produced by solar PV.
Step 3 - Generative Design Study Results
From the screenshots of the Scatterplot or Parallel Coordinates Graph we can see a near-curve distribution of different designs.
Provide a brief explanation of what’s being shown in the Scatterplot or Parallel Coordinates Graph and how the tradeoff being illustrated would impact the design decision. What would you do with this info?
I think the tradeoff can be illustrated here because from the scatterplot we can feel that there is a positive linear trend line to fit the dots. That means if energy production by PVs inceases, energy consumption would also increase.
- In conclusion, the best design so far is:
In Module 8, I will try to set my structure design and solar potential closer to real situations and take in more considerations.