A novel hydroponic roof system for the energy renovation of flat roofs in the Mediterranean area
V. Costanzo, M. Detommaso, G. Evola, F. Nocera, M. Mistretta, S. Longo
Energy and Buildings
Urban Farm DB summary
A study introduces and validates a novel Deep Water Culture hydroponic roof system as a building-integrated solution for enhancing indoor thermal conditions and energy efficiency in Mediterranean climates. Unlike conventional green roofs, the system removes the soil layer and uses a water-based nutrient solution that simultaneously supports plant growth and acts as a thermal energy buffer; a full-scale prototype was experimentally tested on an existing office building in Catania, Italy, and transient thermal modelling with TRNSYS then simulated different roof configurations using the experimental data. Results show the hydroponic roof reduces indoor peak temperatures by up to 2.8°C in summer, increases them by 2.4°C in winter, and shifts heat flux peaks by up to 16 hours, with annual simulations indicating energy savings of 47% for space cooling and 51% for space heating.