WHAT IS MEANT BY ENERGY

SIMULATION TECHNIQUE?
INTRODUCTION
Energy simulation is a computer-based analytical process that helps building owners and designers to
evaluate the energy performance of a building and make it more energy efficient by making necessary
modifications in the design before the building is constructed. Use of energy simulation software is
necessary to show compliance with Indian Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC)
TO UNDERSTAND ENERGY SIMULATION. LETS UNDERSTAND WHAT IS
BUILDING SIMULATION?

• Building simulation is the process of using a computer to build a virtual replica of a

building.
• The building is built from its component parts on a computer and a simulation is
performed by taking that building through the weather conditions of an entire year.
• In a way, building simulation is a way to quantitatively predict the future and thus has
considerable value.
• Building simulation is commonly divided into two categories:
1. Load Design,
2. Energy-Analysis.
• The common phrase for building simulation when energy is involved is Energy Simulation
 LOAD DESIGN USED TO DETERMINE :

• Air conditioning loads (the amount of cooling/heating energy

needed by a space/system/building)
• Volumetric air flow requirements (the amount of air needed to
cool/heat a space)
• Equipment capacities (since equipment may condition multiple
spaces)
• Supply Temperatures
• Hydronic Plant capacities (worst case simultaneous load)
• Similarities and differences between equipment options for heating
and cooling a space
 ENERGY ANALYSIS USED TO DETERMINE :

• Predict the monthly energy consumption

and bills
• Predict the annual energy costs.
• Annual CO2 emissions.
• Compare and contrast different efficiency
options.
• Determine life cycle payback on various
options.
 WHAT IS ENERGY SIMULATION?
• Building energy simulation, also called building energy
modeling (or energy modeling in context), is the use of
software to predict the energy use of a building.
• Energy models will output building energy use
predictions in typical end-use categories:
1. heating,
2. cooling,
3. lighting,
4. plug, and process.
• In addition to energy units, most software includes
utility rates input, and can predict energy costs.
• It is also used to evaluate the payback of green energy
solutions like solar panels and photovoltaics, wind
turbines and high efficiency appliances.
 WHAT IS SIMULATION?

• A typical energy model will have inputs for

1.climate;
2.envelope;
3.internal gains from lighting, equipment, and occupants;
4.heating, cooling, and ventilation systems;
5.schedules of occupants, equipment, and lighting

Why?
• Energy-savings measures can be calculated using simple spreadsheets and a wide variety of
bespoke software applications are available.
• Buildings consume roughly one-third of all the energy consumed nationally every year
• Much of this energy is consumed maintaining the thermal conditions inside the building and
lighting
• Simulation can and has played a significant role in reducing the energy consumption of buildings
WHAT DO WE NEED BEFORE GETTING STARTED
WITH ENERGY SIMULATION?
• Building location and geometry
• Building materials (walls, windows, u-values, shading coefficients)
• General operation of the building
• All interior load values (Lighting, plug loads, occupant numbers and activity
level).
• Zoning requirements
• System types
 ADVANTAGES OF ENERGY SIMULATION SOFTWARE TOOLS
• An important support used for building designers to reduce the cost of energy in
buildings.
• About one third of the energy consumption in buildings is used to increase thermal
conditions of the dwellings and for lighting. Thermal simulation software tools for
buildings allow to: • Analyze the energy consumption;

Determine the appropriate size of HVAC systems;

Calculate the cost of the energy used.

• The energy simulation software allow to determinate with accuracy some variables that
can support designers to take decisions about the best measures to apply for any
building to built or already existent.
• The calculation of energy consumptions allow a more accurate determination of design charges and help to
decide with highest accuracy the possible devices to be used in a room.
• Energy simulation software tools can also allow considering all the regulations in force and simultaneously
provide a sense of comfort.
• Such software have also available tools to improve constructive solutions through simulating the
incorporation of passive solar systems in buildings, such as horizontally and vertically shading systems and a
more accurate study of the HVAC system loads to use
• Nowadays, designers need tools that answer to very specific questions even during the initial design phase.
Through the use of energy simulation software designers can consider specific choices, (e.g., heating and
cooling).
• Designers can also predict the thermal behavior of buildings prior to their construction and simulate the
costs of energy in existent buildings in their current conditions, establishing the best thermal retrofitting
measures to adopt in the buildings under analysis.
Besides the energy consumption, simulation Main advantages of simulation include:
software tools can also be used to calculate. • Study the behavior of a system without building it.
• Indoor temperatures; • Results are accurate in general, compared to analytical
• Needs for heating and cooling; model.
• Consumption needs of HVAC systems; • Help to find un-expected phenomenon, behavior of the
• Natural lighting needs of the occupants; system.
• Interior comfort of the inhabitants; • Easy to perform ``What-If'' analysis
• Levels of ventilation.
 Main disadvantages of simulation include:
• Expensive to build a simulation model.
• Model building requires special training.
• Expensive to conduct simulation.
• Sometimes it is difficult to interpret the simulation results.

Software  IES VE
 EnergyPlus+OpenStudio+Trimble Sketchup  Carrier Hap
 Trane TRACE 700  Energy-10
 Carrier HAP  Solar Shoebox
 IES VE  System Advisor Model (SAM)
 Design Builder
 eQUEST/DOE-2.2
 TRNSYS
 AECOsim Energy Simulator(Bentley)
 Autodesk Insight 360
 Autodesk Revit
 ASPECTS

Depending upon the simulation software tool of energy it is used, the following aspects should be
considered:
• Physical Phenomena: Hygrothermal behavior, artificial/natural illumination, acous- tics,
ventilation and air distribution;
• Energy Systems: Modeling energy in a building, heating and cooling, thermal mass,
cogeneration and renewable energy;
• HVAC Systems: Thermal loads and its forecast for optimizing control of components and
modeling systems, dynamic behavior and control systems, environmental quality and energy
consumption;
• Human Factors: Comfort, visual modeling and indoor air quality;
• Urban Simulation: Sunlight and shadow effects.
 Steps to Perform in a Building Energy Simulation

Creation of a Building Building Simulation establish which variables

• Structure of the building • Weather conditions

• Detailed Surface Building
• Introduction of the Materials
Analysis of Results
• any error or mismatch introduced in the variables set
• warnings in a final report
• type of building (office, housing, etc.)
• Indoor temperatures
• existing equipment
• Needs for heating and cooling;
• Consumption needs of HVAC systems;
• Natural lighting needs of the occupants;
• Interior comfort of the inhabitants;
• Levels of ventilation