Time: Wednesday, 13/Aug/2025: 3:30pm - 5:00pm |
Location: Silverton Ballroom 2 & 3 |
This session presents innovative approaches to enhance building energy modeling workflows and tool integration. A BIM-BEM workflow integrates HVAC and lighting systems through shared occupancy sensor data for coordinated design. Research reveals how independently modeling energy efficiency measures leads to inaccurate savings predictions by neglecting synergies between measures. A Standard 232 case study explores standardized data exchange formats to improve interoperability between building performance software. These presentations highlight advancing methodologies for more accurate modeling and streamlined workflows.
A BIM-BEM based Workflow for Designing Integrated HVAC and Lighting Systems
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is increasingly being adopted by the construction industry to improve stakeholder collaboration and reduce inefficiencies across disciplines. HVAC and Lighting systems, which are critical to maintaining indoor environmental quality, can operate more effectively when their functions are coordinated and informed by shared sensor and data resources. This presentation introduces a workflow that integrates existing BIM, Building Energy Modeling (BEM), and stochastic occupancy tools to design HVAC and lighting systems that share occupancy sensor data. The approach exposes the impact of occupant behavior, zone sizes and control parameters on energy performance, thereby supporting more informed design decisions.
Metascheming with Building Energy Modeling: A Standard 232 Case Study
USA, United States of America
ASHRAE/IBPSA Standard 232 defines terms, types, and conventions (a metaschema) for the definition of other standard schemas and is intended to ease the difficulties of data exchange in the realm of building performance software. U.S. DOE’s EnergyPlus provides a JavaScript Object Notation Schema that describes its input data file, allowing for the assessment of the adherence of the software’s inputs to the forms set forth in Standard 232. This presentation describes a semiautomated assessment of the software's input schema and explores several interesting cases. The results are instructive and show the value of the investment in standardizing data exchanges.
Reevaluating Energy Savings: The Impact of Independent Modelling on Energy Efficiency Measure
CBCL Limited, Canada
Energy efficiency measures (ECMs) reduce energy consumption and environmental impacts. When presented with multiple ECMs, building owners often request separate data to select the most cost-effective option. However, modelling each ECM independently can distort energy savings estimates by neglecting interactions and synergies between measures. This study explores how such independent modelling leads to inaccurate savings predictions. By isolating ECMs, models often overestimate or underestimate total savings. The paper reviews common modelling approaches, highlights limitations, and proposes a more integrated framework for evaluating ECMs. The findings emphasize the need to consider interdependencies for better policy and investment decisions.