A Methodology to Investigate the Deviations between Simple and Detailed Dynamic Methods for the Building Energy Performance Assessment

Ilaria Ballarini,Enrico Fabrizio,Vincenzo Corrado,Andrea Costantino

doi:10.3390/en13236217

Ilaria Ballarini, Enrico Fabrizio + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en13236217

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Abstract

The research investigates the validity of the simple hourly method, as introduced by the EN ISO 52016-1 standard, for the assessment of the building energy demand for heating and cooling, by comparing it with a detailed dynamic model (EnergyPlus). A new methodology is provided to identify and quantify the causes of deviations between the models. It consists in the split of the contributions of the air heat balance (AHB) equation by dynamic driving force, and in the adoption of consistency options of the modeling parameters related to specific physical phenomena. A case study approach is adopted in the article to achieve the research objective. The results show that the deviations in the heating and cooling loads between the two calculation methods can be mainly ascribed to the use of different surface heat transfer coefficients, and to a different modeling of the extra thermal radiation to the sky. Providing a methodology to validate the calculation method, this work is intended to contribute to the enhancement of the use of simple dynamic models and to the improvement of the standardization activity.

Highlights

The use of accurate energy simulation models is crucial to assess the environmental and energy-related impacts of buildings. These models are usually developed and employed to evaluate the current energy performance of buildings and to predict the energy saving potentials related to building retrofit actions [1,2]
Some building energy performance assessment models are provided by international technical standards
From [23], whose aim was the comparison between models results through a case study, the objective of the present work is to deepen the research study as to investigate and quantify the main causes of deviation between the EN ISO 52016-1 and EnergyPlus calculation methods

Summary

Introduction

The use of accurate energy simulation models is crucial to assess the environmental and energy-related impacts of buildings These models are usually developed and employed to evaluate the current energy performance of buildings and to predict the energy saving potentials related to building retrofit actions [1,2]. In some cases, they consider the effects of future climate conditions [3]. They consider the effects of future climate conditions [3] In this framework, several building energy models are presented in literature. Some building energy performance assessment models are provided by international technical standards

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