Applied Building Performance Simulation

Good building performance is contingent on complex, interacting factors. The application of software simulation tools allows practitioners to adopt a virtual prototype and test approach in selecting design solutions that balance performance and cost.

The overall aim of this book is to provide guidance on approaches to the modelling and simulation of energy systems in the built environment at various scales and complexities to address the myriad of challenges of the clean energy transition. The intention is to equip the reader with the understanding required to compose high integrity models, commission realistic simulations, and interpret predictions to assess life cycle performance and ensure operational resilience.

Starting with an introduction to the state-of-the-art in building energy systems simulation and the new capabilities that are likely to emerge in future, the authors then describe the nature of the sustainable energy challenges and how simulation can be used to cost-effectively scrutinise and compare proposals. The book then covers different technology options including electrification of heating, net zero energy housing, community energy systems deployment, active demand management and urban energy action planning.

Each chapters follow a similar 4-section format that describes the nature of the problem, the steps necessary to construct a high-fidelity computer model, the performance information to be extracted from simulations to characterise multi-variate performance, and a corresponding ESP-r exemplar model.

Each problem domain addressed in the book is accompanied by a high fidelity digital model available externally. These models are compatible with the ESP-r building performance simulation program which is freely available under an open-source licence.

Applied Building Performance Simulation provides a thorough grounding and practical guidance in the role of software simulation tools for building performance, for an audience of researchers, industry professionals, advanced students, and policy makers, regulators and standards bodies operating in the field.