Building Energy Simulation

A Workbook Using DesignBuilder™

Vishal Garg, Jyotirmay Mathur, Aviruch Bhatia

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780367374709
• eBook ISBN: 9781000095784
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Energy

The second edition of Building Energy Simulation includes studies of various components and systems of buildings and their effect on energy consumption, with the help of DesignBuilderTM, a front-end for the EnergyPlus simulation engine, supported by examples and exercises. The book employs a "learning by doing" methodology. It explains simulation-input parameters and how-to-do analysis of the simulation output, in the process explaining building physics and energy simulation. Divided into three sections, it covers the fundamentals of energy simulation followed by advanced topics in energy simulation and simulation for compliance with building codes and detailed case studies for comprehensive building energy simulation.

Features:

Focuses on learning building energy simulation while being interactive through examples and exercises.

Explains the building physics and the science behind the energy performance of buildings.

Encourages an integrated design approach by explaining the interactions between various building systems and their effect on energy performance of building.

Discusses a how-to model for building energy code compliance including three projects to practice whole building simulation.

Provides hands-on training of building energy simulation tools: DesignBuilder™ and EnergyPlus.

Includes practical projects problems, appendices and CAD files in the e-resources section.

Building Energy Simulation is intended for students and researchers in building energy courses, energy simulation professionals, and architects.

1 Getting Started with Energy Simulation

This chapter is designed to acquaint you with building energy simulation. It starts with the introduction of various components and requirements for simulation and then gradually progresses to the concept of simulation using a ready example file. It establishes the impact of key simulation inputs such as lighting power density (LPD), activity, setpoint, window-to -wall ratio (WWR), orientation and fresh air intake on energy consumption. There are 11 tutorials to help you navigate through the chapter. By the end of this chapter, you will be familiar with key input parameters, output visualization and the overall simulation process.

Building Energy Simulation

Building energy simulation is performed using a computer to virtually represent a building design and perform physics-based calculations. The simulations can range from a building component to a cluster of buildings. For energy simulation, the building model, the usage pattern and the weather of the location are required to determine various outputs, such as peak loads, system sizing and energy consumption for any given period. This information can be used for estimating the utility bills and for evaluating cost-benefit analyses of various design strategies.

Some of the uses for energy simulation tools include the following:

Early design decisions. In the early design stage, decisions such as the orientation and layout of the building are taken. Energy simulation can help in evaluating various design strategies. However, a detailed simulation may not be possible because of the limited information available at this stage.

Component or material selection. Simulation helps in the decision-making process when selecting individual components of the building envelope or systems. It is quite commonly used to carry out cost-benefit analyses of various designs and components. Therefore, modelling at this stage needs to be performed with greater accuracy than the modelling for early design decisions.

Retrofitting decisions. For retrofits of existing buildings, energy simulation can help in selecting cost-effective solutions. For an accurate analysis, the simulation model should be calibrated using the measured performance data of the building.

What Is Needed for Energy Simulation

Energy simulation of buildings can be performed using a systematic approach. A lot of data is required. It is recommended that you collect the required data before you start the modelling. The following basic information is required:

Location and weather file. Energy simulation tools need hourly data on ambient conditions (i.e. temperature, humidity, wind velocity, solar radiation, etc.) at the building location. This information is available in weather...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Authors
• Chapter 1. Getting Started with Energy Simulation
• Chapter 2. Geometry of Buildings
• Chapter 3. Material and Construction
• Chapter 4. Openings and Shading
• Chapter 5. Lighting and Controls
• Chapter 6. Heating and Cooling Design
• Chapter 7. Unitary HVAC Systems
• Chapter 8. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning: Central Water Side
• Chapter 9. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning: Central Air Side
• Chapter 10. Natural Ventilation
• Chapter 11. Simulation Parameters
• Chapter 12. Renewable Energy System
• Chapter 13. Costing, Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analysis
• Chapter 14. Building Energy Code Compliance