Utilization of District Morphology for Optimal Energy Performance: A Case Study in Ankara, Turkey

This research investigates the influence of district morphology on solar radiation, energy performance, and renewable energy potential. The case district area in Ankara, Turkey, has an area of 76,100 m(2) and 15 apartments and includes almost 2,400 dwellers. The methodology comprises three phases: computational modeling, performance simulations, and comparative assessments. Twenty-eight alternative district models were developed and analyzed using Rhinoceros 7.0 with the combination of Grasshopper plug-ins-Ladybug 1.8.0, Honeybee, and Climate Studio 1.9. The findings highlight that the district scenario with an irregular Y-axis configuration performs most satisfactorily regarding solar radiation, building energy, and photovoltaic panel integration. This alternative model generates the highest electricity from solar canopies, approximately 3.5 times more than PVs on roofs. The model results in a significant reduction of approximately 35% in the district's total primary energy consumption compared to the base scenario.