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Building Simulation

What is Building Simulation.


Image: Above is an example of one of the results achieved through a sample building simulation. Chart shows the breakdown of monthly energy consumption by use. Cooling is in red, lighting in yellow, hot water in orange and appliances in green.
If sustainable strategies are really going to result in better buildings, issues must be considered and addressed from the earliest concept stage – well before key design decisions are made. Indeed, sustainable, low-energy strategies should be a critical factor in the decisions that shape the entire design process.

Building Simulation refers to the process of dynamically analysing a building’s energy performance through the use of software simulation and computer modelling techniques. It involves the calculation of thermal loads and energy consumption of the building in order to determine its energy flows and characteristics.

Energy analysis are primarily used to predict the annual energy consumed by a structure in terms of KWHs, rupees, or pollution avoidance. In the past, few buildings benefited from energy analysis. Today energy analysis is becoming more common and is being applied earlier in the design process. Building performance analysis and energy modelling provides design teams with the high quality information needed to quantify and inform iterative decisions, so the project team can effectively develop creative sustainable solutions.

What we do.

We construct full building energy models according to the requirements of the green building certification in question where the baseline building requirements are compared to the design case performance to identify optimal energy performance. This is done through orientation studies, fenestration analysis, wall and roof assembly optimization, HVAC, electrical and day lighting analysis. Our optimization methods may reduce an existing building's annual energy consumption by 45% or more. These utility savings correspond directly to equivalent revenue savings, thereby decreasing annual utility costs by as much as 45% or more. Energy modeling is within the scope of our LEED facilitation services unless otherwise stated.

For the full impact of performance simulation to be realised it must be undertaken right from the very earliest stages and then continued throughout the entire process to design completion and beyond.

Comparative analysis at the early stage, using ballpark figures, is useful to check feasibility, quantify and inform design team decision making. It can help with those all important master-planning, orientation, massing and form decisions; justifying choices and differentiating project proposals.

Detailed analysis provides more accurate figures and results for system sizing, fine tuning, compliance, costing and documentation. Results and analysis can be presented to LEED assessors demonstrating the total energy savings by cost in comparison to the base case and also showing that the building complies with all the local building codes.

How we ensure our energy model is correct and the results are accurate.

As mentioned in the Cost of LEED report energy modeling is the most complicated part of a LEED compliance process and is prone to errors. A building simulation is only as good as the input data. For this reason we strictly follow the following best practises to ensure the final results are accurate:
  1. Detailed data is gathered from the designers and the architect and building owner depending on the project goal.
  2. We work closely with the design team throughout the process and every aspect of the model will be discussed with the designers through our project collaboration tool.
  3. The models are continuously updated during the construction phase to ensure the final results are as close to the reality as possible.
  4. All the models we create are sent to third party reviewers, who are experts in the field, for their feedback and only after their written approval the energy model is submitted to the IGBC or ADARSH (GRIHA)
Please contact us if you require any further information regarding our Building Simulation services. For more information on LEED and the Indian Green Building Council please visit : www.igbc.org 
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