Daylight factor simulations – How close do simulation beginners ‘really’ get?

The daylight factor is usually one of the first daylight performance measures that simulation newcomers calculate. Apart from the intrinsic limitations of the daylight factor as a meaningful daylighting performance metric, little work has been done in the past as to how accurate one can actually expect simulation novices to simulate the daylight factor compared to an expert modeler. This paper presents the comparison of daylight factor predictions from a ‘best practice’ model of an L-shaped perimeter classroom to a total of 69 novice/student models.

Use of genetic algorithms for multicriteria optimization of building refurbishment

In the current context of energy crisis and with the debate on climate change, low-energy buildings are required.

Genetic optimization of external shading devices

A genetic optimization approach has been used for the design of an external shading device in an office with a window and different glass characteristics. The primary energy consumption for heating cooling and lighting have been minimized. Simulations have been performed using the energy code ESP-r and lighting simulation package Radiance, the optimization loop has been driven by the software tool modeFRONTIER. Different optimal geometries for a panel shading device have been found.

Combination of optimisation algorithms for a multi-objective building design problem

Recently, a combination between simulation and optimisation has been important for many of HVAC design problems.

Application multi-objective genetic algorithm for optimal design method of distributed energy system

Distributed energy system based on cogeneration system has high potential of energy saving due to utilizing waste heat from power generator effectively. However, unless the appropriate combination of machinery and operation are conducted, the expected performance is not achieved, it is quite difficult to determine the optimal combination of machinery and operation. Authors had already developed and proposed new optimal design method for building energy systems or distributed energy systems using Genetic Algorithm (GA) in some previous studies (e.g. Ooka R et al, 2008).

A genetic algorithm for optimization of building envelope and HVAC system parameters

The aim of this paper is to describe the features of a Genetic Algorithm (GA) developed to solve simulation-based optimization problems for the optimal design of building parameters. This GA has been developed using guidelines from top researchs in the field of evolutionary computation. It is mostly based on NSGA-II and Omni-optimizer.

Deriving U.S. household energy consumption profiles from American time use survey data – a bootstrap approach

This paper presents a novel approach to derive U.S. residential building energy load profiles. This approach uses bootstrap sampling method to extract daily activity pattern of occupants of a household from American Time Use Survey (ATUS) data. The characteristics of ATUS data, the relation between time-use and load-demand, and the robustness of this approach are discussed. Virtual experiments were conducted on Energy Plus platform to study the patterns of annual load demand distribution under different household composition and thermal zoning schemes.

Simulating energy use in multi-family dwellings with measured, non constant heat gains from household electricity

It is crucial to perform energy simulations during the building process in order to design a building that meets demands regarding low energy use. In a low energy building, internal heat gains such as excess heat from household electricity, are a large part of the heat balance of the building. The internal heat gains are depending on the occupants and not constant. Result from energy simulations with household electricity that varied during the day and the year according to a model based on measured data are presented.

The influence of design decisions on energy consumption and thermal performance: the case of UFRN campus, Brazil

This paper presents simulation results of three hypothetic models, which aims to represent different design decisions concerning administrative buildings at UFRN Campus, Brazil. Simulations were made with the DesignBuilder software. The analysis is intended to emphasize the influence of envelope architectural decisions on air conditioning energy consumption and the improvement of buildings thermal performance. The modelling process was supported by a field survey on 13 buildings at the Campus and by energy monitoring procedures.

Whole building energy simulation and energy saving potential analysis of a large public building

By comparing EnergyPlus with other energy simulation tools, this paper explores how to use EnergyPlus to construct models to accurately simulate complex building systems as well as the interrelationships among sub-systems such as HVAC, lighting and service hot water systems. Then energy consumption and cost of a large public building is simulated and calculated for LEED certification using EnergyPlus. ASHRAE baseline model is constructed according to ASHRAE 90.1 standard and the comparison of annual energy consumption between ASHRAE baseline model and proposed model is carried out.

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