Building Energy Modeling: The Intersection of Precision and Proficiency
“The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” – Thomas Edison In an era where su...
June 27, 2023
Energy Simulation Report
Our team provides expert guidance at every phase of your Green Building Certification process. Green building rating systems are intented to provide building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
Major credit points are found in Energy and atmosphere category, under respective guidelines building’s energy score can be calculated in two approaches.
1. Prescriptive Compliance Path
The individual
building components (envelope, lighting, and HVAC systems), comply with the minimum requirements prescribed by ASHRAE 90.1. 2010 and Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small to Medium Office Buildings or the Advanced BuildingsTM Core PerformanceTM Guide, depending on the building type, size, usage, etc.
2. Energy Performance Path
Whole Building Energy Simulation requires an improvement in energy usage be demonstrated with an energy model of the building that follows the Building Performance Rating Method found in Appendix G of ASHRAE 90.1-2010.
Using the Energy Performance Path, an hourly building simulation model was developed using the eQUEST(DOE2.2) computer software. The features of the baseline building model are minimally compliant with ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Appendix G. Improvements to this model are then made to reflect design improvements to the building’s envelope, lighting, and HVAC systems that have been incorporated into the as-proposed building. The energy cost savings between the ASHRAE 90.1 benchmark building and the as-designed building are then used to determine the number of Energy Optimization Credits.
- Creating 2D SLDs of plans
- Modeling the building in 3D
- Parameters Input - Envelope, Lighting and HVAC
- Simulation
Whole Building Performance Analysis
Modeling the building in 3D
Modeling Building in 3D
The created single line drawing rests on the interior side of the external walls and in the middle of the interior walls.
Input Parameter - Envelope design
Envelope design
Envelope design strongly affects the visual and thermal comfort of the occupants, as well as energy consumption in the building. The envelope design must take into consideration both the external and internal heat loads, as well as daylighting benefits. External loads include mainly solar heat gains through windows, heat losses across the envelope surfaces, and unwanted air infiltration in the building; internal loads include heat released by the electric lighting systems, equipment, and people working in the building space.
Input Parameter - Lighting
Lighting
Lighting is an area that offers many energy efficiency opportunities in almost any building facility, existing or new. Using efficient lighting equipment and controls is the best way to ensure lighting energy efficiency while maintaining or even improving lighting conditions.
Input Parameter - HVAC
HVAC
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) refers to the equipment, distribution systems, and terminals that provide, either collectively or individually, the heating, ventilation, or air-conditioning requirement to a building or a portion of building.
HVAC systems also affect the health, comfort, and productivity of occupants. Issues like user discomfort, improper ventilation, lack of air movement and poor indoor air quality, and poor acoustic design are linked to HVAC system design and operation and can be improved.
