CFD Simulation for Taxonomy Compliance
The EU Taxonomy demands "high-resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections." Computational Fluid Dynamics delivers exactly that - at the building level, with quantitative, reproducible results.
The Challenge
Standard climate assessment methods have limitations that CFD addresses.
Weather Station Data
Covers regional averages. A station 5km away cannot capture the wind tunnel between your buildings or the heat pocket in your courtyard.
Checklist Approaches
Qualitative at best. "Is the site near water?" doesn't quantify flood risk. "Are there trees?" doesn't measure cooling effect.
Desktop Studies
Literature reviews and generic guidelines. Useful for context, but cannot account for the specific geometry and microclimate of your site.
What CFD Simulation Provides
3D Wind Flow Analysis
Wind speed, direction, and turbulence at every point around your buildings. Identifies wind tunnels and calm zones.
Thermal Comfort Mapping
PET and UTCI indices at pedestrian level. Know exactly where people will be comfortable - and where they won't.
UHI Quantification
Measure the actual urban heat island intensity at your site. Compare to regional baselines with building-level precision.
Scenario Comparison
Test multiple design options: current vs. with green roof vs. with trees vs. with cool surfaces. Quantify the difference.
Mapping to Taxonomy Requirements
Manual Assessment vs. CFD Simulation
| Aspect | Manual / Checklist | CFD Simulation |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial resolution | Regional (km) | Building-level (m) |
| Urban heat island capture | Not captured | Full UHI modeling |
| Wind analysis | Generic wind data | 3D wind flow patterns |
| Scenario testing | Single baseline | Multiple what-if scenarios |
| NBS evaluation | Qualitative estimates | Quantitative impact metrics |
| Auditor confidence | Low–medium | High (reproducible) |
| Maladaptation check | Difficult to prove | Simulated and verified |
| Repeatability | Manual each time | Automated re-runs |
| Cost | Lower upfront | Moderate (pay-per-use) |
| Turnaround time | Days | 1–2 weeks |
For taxonomy alignment where financing depends on it, CFD provides the higher-confidence evidence path.
dicehub - Cloud CFD for Sustainable Cities
dicehub is a cloud-based CFD platform that makes microclimate analysis accessible. No software to install, no hardware to maintain - run simulations from your browser.