Estimation and Validation of Energy Consumption in UK Existing Hotel Building Using Dynamic Simulation Software

Abstract

Adverse effects of anthropogenic climate change has resulted in mitigation strategies geared towards curbing CO 2 emissions. Consequently, this has increased demand for more energy efficient buildings. Considerable amounts of studies have shown the existence of a significant discrepancy between estimated energy consumption by thermal simulation software and actual building operational energy; this is referred to as a 'performance gap'. This work presents a method of improving the energy consumption estimate in an existing non-domestic building via the use of a case study UK hotel (Hilton Reading) and Engineering Development Solutions limited (EDSL) TAS thermal simulation software. The method involves evaluating consumption estimates through plant modelling, and modifying this result by surveying the site to verify the simulation data and including estimates of unaccounted building energy use such as catering services which can be significant in hotels. The energy consumption result for this case study building gives an estimate which is within 12% of the actual building consumption data. The result also demonstrated that such models can produce energy consumption estimates that are up to 23% more accurate than building regulation compliance models and that more accurate simulation consumption estimates can be achieved by accounting for more unregulated energy uses, for example, lifts, servers and small power load.

Impact of Adding Comfort Cooling Systems on the Energy Consumption and EPC Rating of an Existing UK Hotel

“…As the optimum goal in the hospitality industry is guests' comfort [16], hoteliers might take extra measures for ensuring high levels of satisfaction among their customers in the hope of future revisits and positive recommendations and feedback. Additionally, there is evidence that the occupants at a hotel (guests) tend to develop more extravagant patterns of energy consumption during their stay as opposed to more energy-considerate choices at their own homes [17,18]. It therefore remains a challenge to hotel owners/managers to meet guests' comfort while meeting the new strict requirements.…”

Energy Performance Analysis of an Integrated Distributed Variable-Frequency Pump and Water Storage System for District Cooling Systems

“…Besides, there are many other simulation tools on the market and each tool has its own advantages. Many studies have focused on the use of efficient tool to perform effective energy profile simulation of buildings [27,28]. The meteorological parameters are embedded in the software and 15 July is the full-load day (i.e., design day) in this study.…”

Effects of Vernacular Climatic Strategies (VCS) on Energy Consumption in Common Residential Buildings in Southern Iran: The Case Study of Bushehr City

“…Therefore, simulation accuracy depends on various dynamic input parameters such as occupancy characteristics and weather data, both of which are difficult to replicate in modeling to match the real building, especially at the design stage. The choice of weather data used for the simulation has a considerable impact on the results [56]. Generally, the weather data employed in building simulation models contain hourly records of the core weather variables (like temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation) at a location in close proximity to the model building [57].…”