Energy Modeling System Using Building Information Modeling Open Standards

Abstract

There is an urgent need in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries for new programs and methods of producing reliable energy simulations using building information modeling (BIM) technology. Current methods and programs for running energy simulations are not very timely, are difficult to understand, and lack high interoperability between BIM and energy simulation software. It is necessary to improve on these drawbacks as design decisions are often made without the aid of energy modeling leading to the design and construction of nonoptimized buildings with respect to energy efficiency. The goal of this research project is to develop a new methodology to produce energy estimates from a BIM model expeditiously and to improve interoperability between the simulation engine and BIM software. In the proposed methodology, the extracted information from a BIM model is compiled into an input file and run in a popular energy simulation program on an hourly basis for a desired period. The case applied in this paper showed that the application of this methodology can be used to quickly provide energy simulations from BIM models. With the aid of an easy-to-run and easily understood energy simulation methodology, designers will be able to make more energy conscious decisions during the design phase and as changes in design requirements arise. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000215. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers. CE Database subject headings: Building information models; Simulation; Energy efficiency. Author keywords: Building information modeling; Energy simulation; Industry Foundation Classes extensible markup language (ifcXML); Interoperability; DOE-2; Energy simulation input (INP) file.