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Modified iButtons: A Low-Cost Instrument to Measure the Albedo of Landscape Elements

Author

Listed:
  • Jane Loveday

    (School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Australia)

  • Grant K. Loveday

    (Independent Researcher, Booragoon 6154, Australia)

  • Joshua J. Byrne

    (School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Australia)

  • Boon-lay Ong

    (School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Australia)

  • Gregory M. Morrison

    (School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Australia)

Abstract

Urban infill can lead to increased urban air and surface temperatures. Landscape elements (LEs) which can maintain cooler surface temperatures also reduce night-time re-emission of heat; however, reflected solar radiation (albedo) from these LEs during the day potentially increases heat loads on nearby objects, pedestrians or buildings. Albedo is traditionally measured using two pyranometers, however their expense can be prohibitive for researchers and landscape professionals. A low cost albedometer was developed consisting of a pair of black- and white-painted temperature sensors (Thermochron ® iButtons). The albedos of 14 LEs typically found in suburban landscapes in Perth, Western Australia, were measured. Three approaches were tested: The first two used white-painted polystyrene (WPP) as a reference (one taking view factors into account, and one ignoring the albedo of the background material), whilst the third approach used upwards-facing iButtons as a reference, similar to conventional pyranometer methods. The WPP approaches controlled for weather effects, providing a consistent albedo over a longer daytime period than recommended by the standard ASTM-E1918-16. Measured albedos were similar to literature values. This instrument could be used as an alternative to more expensive pyranometers and could assist landscape professionals to design for, and manage, urban heat.

Suggested Citation

  • Jane Loveday & Grant K. Loveday & Joshua J. Byrne & Boon-lay Ong & Gregory M. Morrison, 2019. "Modified iButtons: A Low-Cost Instrument to Measure the Albedo of Landscape Elements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:24:p:6896-:d:294100
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Meng Huang & Peng Cui & Xin He, 2018. "Study of the Cooling Effects of Urban Green Space in Harbin in Terms of Reducing the Heat Island Effect," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Jan K. Kazak, 2018. "The Use of a Decision Support System for Sustainable Urbanization and Thermal Comfort in Adaptation to Climate Change Actions—The Case of the Wrocław Larger Urban Zone (Poland)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Hu, Mingke & Zhao, Bin & Ao, Xianze & Feng, Junsheng & Cao, Jingyu & Su, Yuehong & Pei, Gang, 2019. "Experimental study on a hybrid photo-thermal and radiative cooling collector using black acrylic paint as the panel coating," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1217-1226.
    4. Jane Loveday & Grant Loveday & Joshua J. Byrne & Boon-lay Ong & Gregory M. Morrison, 2019. "Seasonal and Diurnal Surface Temperatures of Urban Landscape Elements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-27, September.
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