Appendix B-14: BIM Use: Energy Analysis
Energy Analysis
Description:
The BIM Use of Facility Energy Analysis is a process in the facility design phase which one or more building energy simulation programs use a properly adjusted BIM model to conduct energy assessments for the current building design. The core goal of this BIM use is to inspect building energy standard compatibility and seek opportunities to optimize the proposed design to reduce structure’s life-cycle costs.
Potential Value:
- Save time and costs by obtaining building and system information automatically from the building information model instead of inputting data manually
- Improve building energy prediction accuracy by auto-determining building information such as geometries, volumes precisely from BIM model
- Help with building energy code verification
- Optimize building design for better building performance efficiency and reduce building life-cycle cost
Resources Required:
- Building Energy Simulation and Analysis Software(s)
- Well-adjusted Building 3D-BIM Model
- Detailed Local Weather Data
- National/Local Building Energy Standards (e.g., ASHRAE Standard 90.1)
Team Competencies Required:
- Knowledge of basic building energy systems
- Knowledge of compatible building energy standard
- Knowledge and experience of building system design
- Ability to manipulate, navigate, and review a 3D Model
- Ability to assess a model through engineering analysis tools
Selected References:
- ASHRAE (2009). ASHRAE Handbook-Fundamentals. Atlanta. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
- Crawley. D. B., Hand, J. W., et al (2008). Contrasting the capabilities of building energy performance simulation program. Building and Environment 43, 661-673.
- Bazjanac. V. 2008. IFC BIM-Based Methodology for Semi-Automated Building Energy Performance Simulation. Proceedings of CIB-W78 25th International Conference on Information Technology in Construction.
- Stumpf. A., Kim. H., Jenicek. E. (2009). Early Design Energy Analysis Using BIMS (Building Information Models). 2009 Construction Research Congress. ASCE.
- Cho. Y. K., Alaskar. S., and Bode.T.A. (2010). BIM-Integrated Sustainable Material and Renewable Energy Simulation. 2010 Construction Research Congress. ASCE.
