Building Performance Simulation

Given the increasing complexity of energy and environmental challenges that the building sector is facing, Building Performance Simulation (BPS) is an effective tool for supporting the design and operation of high-performance buildings, such as (nearly or net) zero-energy buildings in zero-emission neighborhoods \ positive energy buildings in smart cities.

BPS combines dynamic energy simulation with computational modeling and draws upon the disciplines of heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, lighting, building technology, thermal and visual comfort, numerical methods, environmental science and human behavior.

BPS is contributing to fostering innovation in the design of high-performance buildings with respect to new technological possibilities and environmental limitations. The capabilities of BPS tool can be extended by combining them with external tools (e.g., optimization algorithms to automate the simulation-based optimization process, and/or life cycle assessment software to automate the BIM-based environmental calculation).

The course is organized in two parts:

1. General part deals with basic knowledge of modeling issues and energy simulation of a building and its systems as generally described above,
2. Specialization part constitutes of two separated branches:

• Branch A is entitled "Solar building design - modelling & simulation". In this Branch, students will learn in-depth how solar active technologies (i.e. Building Integrated Photovoltaic BIPV- Building Applied Photovoltaic BAPV - Photovoltaic Shading Devices PVSDs) and solar passive  strategies (i.e. Daylight and related metrics, Solar fixed and dynamic shading devices) can be modelled and simulated within the context of buildings and their surroundings.
• Branch B is entitled "Advanced HVAC modeling & simulation". In this Branch, students will get deeper knowledge about heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) modeling and simulation. The modeling of energy systems will be introduced and discussed, including physical-based modeling. The different approaches to compute airflows inside buildings introduced and compared (i.e. standard room model, zonal models and CFD).

A strong emphasis will be placed upon the use of a BPS software, but the scope of this course is not limited to training on applying a given software. Rather, students will learn the basic computational modeling assumptions and will learn to build a series of increasingly complex models that allow exploring key features and limitations of the adopted software. The subjects will be developed from basic principles assuming limited knowledge of computers and the adopted software.

Knowledge: At the end of the term, students should: - understand and know the fundamental principles of BPS, - comprehend the theoretical models underlying BPS software, - manage properly the assumptions and limitations underlying some of the models implemented in BPS software, and apply BPS software in research, analysis, and design. - be able to illustrate the energy performance of buildings and identify the most influencing design parameters, - be able to compare several building concepts and evaluate their main performances, - be able to design new, advanced and high-performance building concepts suitable to tackle with future challenges.

Skills: At the end of the term, students should: - be able to choose the most suitable BPS software on the base of the simulation objectives, - be able to create a building energy model, by adopting the most suitable modelling methods on the base of the simulation objectives, - be able to control the reliability of the simulation outcome, - be able to assess (or estimate) the performance of a building, - be able to effectively use simulation results during the design, retrofitting or management process of a building, - have got ’’hands-on‘’ experience on a BPS software.

General competence: After ended the term, students should have: - An understanding of the background of building performance simulation, - An understanding of requirements about thermal and visual comfort and indoor air quality, and of their relationship with energy usages in buildings, - An understanding of the behavior of a building envelope under dynamic boundary conditions, - An understanding of integrating passive strategies and renewable energy generation systems in a building model.

Learning methods and activities

• Lectures
• Exercises
• Simulation-based workshops.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises