This paper describes how the use of BIM / simulation integrated within the design process for a new corporate office of 30,470sqm NIA for 3,200 people that is designed to BCO 2010 A grade standards (British Council for Offices, 2009), and incorporates a number of innovative low energy features including earth tubes for supply of tempered air, double skin façade; atrium and biofuel CHP, has influenced the design process when working to a very tight programme. Simulation was used to evaluate the building orientation, the performance of the double skin façade, potential for natural ventilation

Energy analysis is an integral component of sustainable building practices. Energy analysis coupled with optimization techniques may offer solutions for greater energy efficiency over the life- time of the building. However, all such computations employ the energy used for operations to benchmark and develop optimal solutions. This paper used emergy analysis to develop a method to identify the optimal solution for a building envelope system so that it will perform to its maximum potential given the mix of energy sources used for heating and cooling.

Measurement science is vital in evaluating environmental impacts to assess sustainability. There are several types of frameworks, analytical tools and metrics that have been developed to assess the achievement of sustainability. The purpose of such frameworks, tools and metrics is to evaluate impact to the environment at different scales depending on project boundaries. This paper provides a detailed review and in-depth mapping of a variety of sustainability frameworks, analysis tools and metrics currently in use related to building and environment.

Approaching a Net Zero Energy (NZE) building goal based on current definitions is flawed for two principal reasons – they only deal with energy quantities required for operations, and they do not establish a threshold, which ensures that buildings are optimized for reduced consumption before renewable systems are integrated to obtain an energy balance. This paper develops a method to maximize renewable resource use through emergy (spelled with an “m”) analysis.

This paper examines several existing methods of static shading device design, and presents a new approach called SHADERADE.  The approach is implemented as an eponymous tool based on Rhinoceros® and EnergyPlus, and offers flexible, novel techniques for assessing the thermal desirability of solar transmittance through any potential shading volume or surface.  Using simulated sidelit offices located in Anchorage, Boston and Phoenix, it is shown that SHADERADE is able to consistently generate shading systems with improved thermal performance vis-à-vis existing methods.

Integrated computational building performance simulation (CBPS) can help in reducing energy consumption and increasing occupant comfort. However, the deployment of CBPS in practice has not matured and its benefits have not been fully exploited yet. This paper explores the role of CBPS in product and integrated design development and optimization through two studies. The first study explores the use of CBPS for product development within the scope of climate adaptive building shells.

ASHRAE Standard 140-2001 (BESTEST), case 600, in Toronto is simulated in TRNSYS 16. The incorporation of phase change material (PCM) with Type 204 into the BESTEST Case 600 envelope is modelled. PCM layer of one and ten millimetres thick covers all of the wall and ceiling surfaces. Simulations are conducted for different inside convective heat transfer coefficients (h-value). To do this, h-value is changed from 0.5 to 10 W/m2K. All simulations consider Toronto-716240 weather conditions with set points of 21℃ (heating) and 24℃ (cooling).

Geothermal heat pump systems have a large potential for energy savings and associated greenhouse gas emissions. However, inappropriate control may counteract these saving potentials. This study evaluates the influence of different control parameters on the system performance of a ground coupled heat pump system in a residential building. To this end a dynamic simulation model is built in TRNSYS, coupled to Matlab in order to implement the controller.

2 Victoria Avenue is the first building in WA to achieve a 6 Star Green Star rating and a 5 Star NABERS Energy rating. Over the first 12 months of operation, it was found that the predicted performance of the building was within 3% of the measured overall building usage. Furthermore, it showed the efficacy of the ‘what-if scenarios’ in identifying and mitigating risk to building performance.

This application paper outlines some innovative building simulation methodologies used to predict thermal performance of complex energy efficient systems using commercially available softwares. Industry case studies are presented to demonstrate how simulation can influence the design process with requirements varying from zero carbon emissions to optimum thermal comfort. Simplifications used to reduce computational time and handle software limitations are assessed in regards to model accuracy and the ability to influence the design decision process.