Conference item
From complexity to scalability: simplifying building energy models for wider adoption
- Abstract:
- Building energy modelling (BEM) can help accelerate the net zero built environment by assisting with the design, implementation, and evaluation of energy-related policies. For BEM to be actionable, model accuracy must be validated. Unlike newer buildings, older buildings often lack mechanisms to generate detailed data. BEM can also be labour-intensive, limiting its accessibility. This study explores the balance between modelling accuracy and complexity by examining the impact of various data inputs and modelling methodologies for a case study of an older building at the University of Oxford. A white-box energy model is created on DesignBuilder to reflect the building’s current energy performance. Data collection includes documentation review, site audits, online surveys, Wi-Fi-based occupancy monitoring, and in-situ U-value measurements. The model is calibrated against monthly energy usage. Modelling inputs are gradually simplified to quantify changes in accuracy and sensitivity, and reduction in model complexity. This study demonstrates that well-calibrated, yet simplified energy models can be an accessible and time-efficient tool for informing policy decisions aimed at achieving a net zero built environment, even when buildings are old and data is limited.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
Actions
Access Document
- Files:
-
-
(Preview, Accepted manuscript, pdf, 2.7MB, Terms of use)
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- Publication website:
- https://publications.ibpsa.org/conference/paper/?id=usim2024_1B-4
Authors
- Publisher:
- International Building Performance Simulation Association
- Host title:
- Proceedings of uSim Conference 2024: 4th uSim Conference of IBPSA-Scotland
- Publication date:
- 2024-11-01
- Acceptance date:
- 2024-09-01
- Event title:
- 4th uSim Conference of IBPSA-Scotland (uSim 2024)
- Event location:
- Edinburgh, UK
- Event website:
- https://publications.ibpsa.org/conference/?id=usim2024
- Event start date:
- 2024-11-25
- Event end date:
- 2024-11-25
- ISBN:
- 9781914241833
- Language:
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English
- Keywords:
- Pubs id:
-
2414150
- Local pid:
-
pubs:2414150
- Deposit date:
-
2026-05-03
- ARK identifier:
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- International Building Performance Simulation Association
- Copyright date:
- 2024
- Rights statement:
- © 2024 International Building Performance Simulation Association
- Notes:
- This is the accepted manuscript version of the article. The final version is available online from International Building Performance Simulation Association at https://publications.ibpsa.org/conference/paper/?id=usim2024_1B-4
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