A Comparison of Building Energy Performance Simulation Tools in BIM and non-BIM environments

Abstract

The detailed use of Building Performance Simulation (BPS) tools to estimate the energy use and encourage energy savings solutions is vital in mitigating the energy use for buildings and the production of this energy. Furthermore, the design of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings involves a collaborative effort among professionals in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools provides the assessment of the performance of different design solutions possible with timely feedback during each design phase and over the life cycle of the building. However, there have been some limitations in its use for building performance simulations in BIM environments such as the translation of building specific data from the objects of 3D geometries to BEM, the less customizable inputs of the HVAC systems, and the insufficient knowledge of the operation of the HVAC systems. Consequently, the major issue of BIM and BEM interoperability (in BIM environments) has resulted in data clashes and data loss of the functional and physical specifications of the building as represented by the 3D building objects.
Using a systematic analysis, this study analyzed the inputs that are relevant to the three selected BPS tools in one BIM environment and two non-BIM environments, after which a case study located in a cooling-dominated climate was assessed to examine the combination of the customizable inputs for each BPS tools.
The study found that using the BPS tool in a BIM environment resulted in some promising results based on the comparison with the other BPS tools. However, the possibility of integrating BIM with one of the BPS tools using the IFC data scheme and its wide range of customizable inputs for HVAC systems showed that its use in the EDP and other stages would reduce the time for remodelling and inputting the relevant building data to provide timely feedback for its use in estimating energy efficiency in buildings.

Popular Abstract

The ability to combine Building Information Modelling (BIM) with Building Energy Modelling (BEM) is extremely important, and it increases the efficiency of the actors in the Architecture, Energy and Construction Industry. Studies have shown that integrating BIM with BEM in the early design phase can significantly reduce the costs of design changes in the later phases and improve performance for the building. The most essential factors to consider when selecting a building energy performance simulation tool are the accuracy of the tool, the quality of the output, the ease of use and level of detail, sensitivity during energy analysis, speed of learning and use.
A comparison of three building energy performance simulation (BEPS) tools has been conducted: Revit, IDA ICE, and ClimateStudio. Energy simulations were carried out using the tools to estimate annual and monthly heating and cooling demand, on the buildings selected for the project. The energy simulations were majorly based on individual inputs using a systematic method and a combination of the inputs.
The results show that the combining BIM with BEM is achievable in Revit, however, the provision of more custom inputs in the energy settings such as flexible HVAC inputs, an operational schedule, a detailed schedule for internal loads would produce a more accurate outputs when compared with the state-of-the-art BEPS tools. It is also possible to use IDA ICE to combine BIM and BEM but errors on import of the BIM file and the complexity of its inputs make the process challenging. In terms of ease of use, speed of use, and quality of output, Climate Studio was shown to be the best option, however, it has limited HVAC systems and does not facilitate the combination of BIM with BEM as the buildings had to be remodeled which was time consuming and not a good option in the cases of several revisions to the building design.

• author: Akinboboye, Damilare
• supervisor: Jouri Kanters
• organization: Department of Architecture and Built Environment; Division of Energy and Building Design
• course: AEBM01 20221
• year: 2022
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: Building Information Modelling (BIM), Building Energy Modelling (BEM), Building Energy Simulation (BES), Interoperability, BPS tools.
• language: English
• id: 9085917
• date added to LUP: 2022-06-09 11:08:46
• date last changed: 2022-06-09 11:08:46