Assessment of Urban Heat Island and Energy Demand Parameters in Akure, Nigeria
https://doi.org/10.20987/jmrs.12.2011Volume 6:2
I. A. Balogun, A. A. Balogun, Z. D Adeyewa
Department of Meteorology, Federal University of Technology
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
I. A. Balogun, Department of Meteorology,
Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure 340001, Nigeria
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Phone no: +234-803-919-4212
+234-803-919-4212(Manuscript received 10 October 2011, in final form 21 December 2011)
Abstract
It is well established that urbanization has a significant effect on the local climate; thereby causing the climate of an urban area to differ from that of a nearby rural area. This paper investigates the climate modifying effect of urban growth in Akure, a medium-sized rapid developing south western city in Nigeria which lies in the tropics, and this is noted to have caused significant thermal alterations which are revealed by a year-long in situ measurement and analysis as presented in this work. The paper also attempts to establish the role of the urban heat island on energy demand by assessing the differences in degree day parameters between the urban city centre and the rural reference airport site. Results showed that the elevated temperatures during the dry period, particularly at the onset of summer monsoon in the city increases energy demand for cooling which is capable of adding pressure to the electricity grid during peak periods of demand. In this period, the increasing intensity of the urban heat island (UHI) will tend to result in an increased cooling load and an increased number of human discomfort days as revealed by longer length of hours that required cooling. But when the summer monsoon has fully developed, the lowered UHI intensity will tend to result in reduced cooling demand due to cooling effect of monsoon winds. Urban heat island, cooling degree day, energy demand.
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