Energy consumption in buildings is currently a real problem. That is why both assessment of energy performance and effective energy management are essential. In this context, the present paper focuses on developing a commercial monitoring station (BEMS) with the support of three industrial partners, Apex-BP Solar, Pyrescom and the "Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment" (CSTB).

As a part of commissioning case study, the cooling ceiling system of a commercial building in Brussels is experimentally evaluated by means of a functional test procedure and a detailed thermal model of this system. This one has to be used in situ, as diagnosis tool in commissioning process in order to determine the main parameters of the cooling ceiling systems. Due to the extended glazing surface of the building, the problem is the overheating of zones submitted to the expected solar heat gains.

This paper presents the results of a study performed to develop a computational model of cooling ceiling systems. This one has to be used in situ, as diagnosis tool in commissioning process in order to determine the main operating conditions of the system in cooling mode. The model considers the cooling ceiling as a fin. Only the dry regime is considered.

This paper describes the development of a BIPV design tool that integrates the building and PV simulation capabilities of EnergyPlus building performance simulation software and Google SketchUp 3D drafting software. The BIPV design tool builds on the OpenStudio plugin by Peter Ellis to include solar radiation analysis and PV simulation features that can be done from inside SketchUp. The BIPV design tool is an improvement in the BIPV design workflow in EnergyPlus that normally requires the user to manually input text-based files.

For the upcoming release of TRNSYS 17, one main focus is the improvement of the simulation of highly glazed large spaces such as multi-story atriums with respect to accuracy, user effort and error-proneness.

Previous work involving literature review, simulation tool analysis and interviews with world leading building performance consulting engineers and designers has shown that building performance simulation (BPS) is mostly limited to code compliance checking of the final building design whilst it could provide useful information and guidelines throughout the entire design process [Hopfe et al., 2005/ 2006].

ROOM is a dynamic thermal simulation model that has been continuously developed at Arup over the last 30 years.  It remains one of the principal tools used for thermal modelling within Arup.  The programme includes detailed representation of complex geometry and building constructions, radiative heat transfer and air movement.  ROOM is particularly suitable for determining environmental conditions and heating and cooling loads in spaces such as atria, naturally ventilated buildings and shopping malls. Arup have developed new bespoke versions of ROOM for specific applications.

Simulation   of   energy   systems   and   associated  thermodynamic   domains   is   very   powerful   in delivering   precise   information   at   high   resolution.  Modelling   software   requires   detailed   information about   the   energy   system.   The   specialised   user  usually has questions about specific aspects of the energy   system   and   may   not   be   interested   in   the  complete   set   of   outputs   available   from   simulation results. Similarly the specialised user may only be concerned about a subset of the inputs provided to the software.

As with all large software projects, the support demands of a diverse community of a simulation tool exceeds the means of supply.  Interested parties may be users (from novices to experts), support staff (e.g. computing infrastructure technicians, QA specialists), researchers who wish to use or extend a feature of the software, other (possibly remotely located) members of the development team or validation groups who what to ensure equivalence of models. An open source model for simulation software poses particular challenges.

This paper seeks to highlight the recent developments in TRNSYS including the introduction of a three-dimensional geometrical building model and interface, improvements in the TRNSYS simulation engine to facilitate the creation of user-written components, ease-of-use modifications to the graphical interface, and new components including a BESTEST reference standard model that accurately calculates and displays the energy transfer between a building and the surrounding earth.