Contrasting the capabilities of building energy performance simulation programs

Abstract

For the past 50 years, a wide variety of building energy simulation programs have been developed, enhanced and are in use throughout the building energy community. This paper is an overview of a report which provides up-to-date comparison of the features and capabilities of twenty major building energy simulation programs. The comparison is based on information provided by the program developers in the following categories: general modeling features; zone loads; building envelope and daylighting and solar; infiltration, ventilation and multizone airflow; renewable energy systems; electrical systems and equipment; HVAC systems; HVAC equipment; environmental emissions; economic evaluation; climate data availability, results reporting; validation; and user interface, links to other programs, and availability.

Selection criteria for building performance simulation tools: contrasting architects' and engineers' needs

“…The second mainstream found in literature is studies that aim to rank and compare BPS tools, including the studies of Lam et al (2004), Crawley et al (2008), Riether et al (2008), Attia et al (2009) and Weytjens et al (2010). The most significant among them is the study of Lam et al in 2004 andCrawley et al in 2005.…”

“…The most significant among them is the study of Lam et al in 2004 andCrawley et al in 2005. The study of Lam developed a classification schema for comparing five tools based on four major criteria.…”

The importance of integrally simulating the building, HVAC and control systems, and occupants’ impact for energy predictions of buildings including temperature and humidity control: validated case study museum Hermitage Amsterdam

“…The hygro-part of buildings is still underrepresented in BES-programs illustrated by the limited occurrences of the words 'humidity' and 'moisture' in overview papers, for example, in Crawley et al (2008). Examples of software packages capable of creating ZABES-models including thermal and moisture models are EnergyPlus' Purchased Air Mode, IES VE's combination of ModelIT and ApacheSim, and TRNSYS' Building Model 'Type 56'.…”

Whole building energy simulation and energy saving potential analysis of a large public building

“…In load calculation, CTF method is used to calculate heat conduction through envelopes and then a heat balance method for zone load (Crawley et al 2001 andCrawley et al 2005). Moreover, EnergyPlus makes use of a modular, loop-based method to simulate HVAC systems which helps accelerate the model construction process (Strand and Pedersen 2001).…”