A review on simulation-based optimization methods applied to building performance analysis

Buildings all around the world consume a significant amount of energy, which is more or less one-third of the total primary energy resources. This has raised concerns over energy supplies, rapid energy resource depletion, rising building service demands, improved comfort life styles along with the increased time spent in buildings; consequently, this has shown a rising energy demand in the near future. However, contemporary buildings’ energy efficiency has been fast tracked solution to cope/limit the rising energy demand of this sector. Building energy efficiency has turned out to be a multi-faceted problem, when provided with the limitation for the satisfaction of the indoor comfort index. However, the comfort level for occupants and their behavior have a significant effect on the energy consumption pattern. It is generally perceived that energy unaware activities can also add one-third to the building’s energy performance. Researchers and investigators have been working with this issue for over a decade; yet it remains a challenge. This review paper presents a comprehensive and significant research conducted on state-of-the-art intelligent control systems for energy and comfort management in smart energy buildings (SEB’s). It also aims at providing a building research community for better understanding and up-to-date knowledge for energy and comfort related trends and future directions. The main table summarizes 121 works closely related to the mentioned issue. Key areas focused on include comfort parameters, control systems, intelligent computational methods, simulation tools, occupants’ behavior and preferences, building types, supply source considerations and countries research interest in this sector. Trends for future developments and existing research in this area have been broadly studied and depicted in a graphical layout. In addition, prospective future advancements and gaps have also been discussed comprehensively.

A review on optimized control systems for building energy and comfort management of smart sustainable buildings

The objective of this document is to promote the use of dynamic daylight performance measures for sustainable building design. The paper initially explores the shortcomings of conventional, static daylight performance metrics which concentrate on individual sky conditions, such as the common daylight factor. It then provides a review of previously suggested dynamic daylight performance metrics, discussing the capability of these metrics to lead to superior daylighting designs and their accessibility to nonsimulation experts. Several example offices are examined to demonstrate the benefit of basing design decisions on dynamic performance metrics as opposed to the daylight factor.

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Dynamic Daylight Performance Metrics for Sustainable Building Design

https://escholarship.org/content/qt8755h7rn/qt8755h7rn.pdf?t=p0jvvs

Occupant behavior modeling for building performance simulation: Current state and future challenges:

Using results from field surveys to predict the effect of open windows on thermal comfort and energy use in buildings

https://pure.tue.nl/ws/files/3589736/1149498623543429.pdf

Simulation-based decision support tool for early stages of zero-energy building design

A wide range of scientifically validated Building Performance Simulation tools BPS is available internationally. The users of those tools are mainly researchers, physicists and experts who value empirical validation, analytical verification and calibration of uncertainty as defined by e.g. BESTEST. However, literature and comparative surveys indicate that most architects who use BPS tools in design practice are much more concerned with the (1) Usability and Information Management (UIM) of interface and (2) the Integration of Intelligent design Knowledge-Base (IIKB). Those two issues are the main factors for identifying a building simulation program as “Architect Friendly”. Now, with the advancement of BPS tools and the recent announcements of direct links between BIM or non-BIM modeling tools and BPS tools it is important to compare the existing programs. Based on an online survey, this paper presents the results of comparing ten major BPS tools. The following programs are compared: ECOTECT, HEED, Energy 10, Design Builder, eQUEST, DOE-2, Green Building Studio, IES VE, Energy Plus and Energy Plus-SketchUp Plugin (OpenStudio). With 249 valid responses, the survey ranked the tools in three classes and revealed that architects seek the IIKB above the UIM of the interface. Finally, the paper summarizes the key findings and underlines the major requirements for future improvement and development of BPS tools, mainly from an architectural perspective.

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"architect friendly": a comparison of ten different building performance simulation tools

This article summarises a study undertaken to reveal potential challenges and opportunities for using building performance simulation (BPS) tools. The article reviews current trends in building simulation and outlines major criteria for BPS tool selection and evaluation based on analysing users' needs for tools capabilities and requirement specifications. The research is carried out by means of a literature review and two online surveys. The findings are based on an inter-group comparison between architects and engineers. The aim is to rank BPS tool selection criteria and compare 10 state-of-the-art BPS tools in the USA market. Five criteria are composed to stack up against theories and practices of BPS. Based on the experience gained during the survey, suggested criteria are critically reviewed and tested. The final results indicate a wide gap between architects' and engineers' priorities and tool ranking. This gap is discussed and suggestions for improvement of current tools are presented.

/pdf/selection-criteria-for-building-performance-simulation-tools-4thx8pz230.pdf

André De Herde

Papers

Simulation-based decision support tool for early stages of zero-energy building design

"architect friendly": a comparison of ten different building performance simulation tools

Selection Criteria for Building Performance Simulation Tools : Contrasting Architects and Engineers Needs

The most efficient position of shading devices in a double-skin facade

Design of low energy office buildings