Joining forces in building energy simulation

As a result of the progression of computing power and the increasing demandsfor detailed thermal performance assessment users are shifting from simplified design tools to comprehensive, dynamic thermal appraisal tools which are able to handle the complexity of design. From the standpoint of researchers and developers the days of a single person or even a small group maintaining and advancing such appraisal tools is problematic. Those who wish to advance the state-of-the-art in a particular facet of simulation are given the choice of creating their own tools from scratch or adopting an existing tool and extending it. This paper argues that the latter option can yield significant benefits to the researcher as well as the simulation community. Such a choice does, however contain numerous pitfalls if the core developers and interested third party researchers do not develop a support structure and means of collaboration. The paper will use the evolution of one global consortium related to the ESP-r system as a means to explore the way ahead.