Building Performance Simulation – Energy

Building Performance Simulation – EnergyThis seminar will introduce students to technical and non-technical aspects of using whole building energy simulation during building design, retrofitting and maintenance. The primary simulation tool used will be the Department of Energy\’s EnergyPlus simulation engine combined with the DesignBuilder interface.During the first half of the course students will learn about the software\’s basic modeling assumptions and build a series of increasingly complex models that explore key design decisions such as building orientation and form and the use of solar shading, natural ventilation, daylighting and thermal mass. During the second half of the course we will work with a model of Gund Hall that will be built to explore the potential energy benefits of various retrofitting measures to the building. We will review the inputs chosen by the modeler regarding building envelope, internal gains and building usage and compare model predications to Gund Hall\’s measured energy use for heating, lighting and cooling. This benchmarking exercise will reveal how closely model predictions typically reflect reality. During the second part of the course we will have a series of guest lecturers who represent the various players involved in building performance simulation including an informed building owner, a professional modeler, a software developer, a building services manager, a representative from the LEED green building rating system and a designer. The perspectives offered by these different parties will highlight current benefits and limitations of the effective use of energy simulations in design practice. The enrollment for this course will be limited to fifteen students.