IBPSA2013

The objective of this paper is to present a general methodology for the calculation of thermal response factors, known as g-functions, of vertical borehole fields. The methodology accounts for the time variation of the heat extraction rates of individual boreholes. In addition, the original concept of the g-functions is extended to include variable borehole lengths and buried depths. Finally, the methodology is implemented into MATLAB with a convenient graphical user interface which pre-processes the hourly values of the thermal response factors for use in energy simulation programs.  

Retrofitting our current building stock is a vital part of meeting emissions reductions targets, using energy in a more efficient way and creating sustainable lifestyles. However, one of the key barriers identified is a lack of tools to support making retrofitting decisions. In this paper, the creation of a transparent and flexible building energy performance simulation model - SdSAP is reported to assist building owners and investors to make better informed decisions in building retrofitting activities. A case study is provided to demonstrate the benefits of using the SdSAP tool.  

In existing buildings, monitored data can support the process of simulation model calibration and validation. Such calibrated models could be effectively applied in building management and systems operation processes. The present contribution focuses on a specific problem faced by a monitoring-based optimization-assisted simulation calibration: In many realistic circumstances, it is not possible to install monitoring systems with full building coverage.

Simulating a building to predict its performance over the course of a full year requires an accurate repre-sentation of the stable and representative weather pat-terns of a location, i.e. a weather file. While weather file providers give due consideration to the stochastic nature of weather data, simulation is currently deter-ministic in the sense that using one weather file al-ways generates one performance outcome (for a given set of building parameters).

The building performance simulation community ap-plies theory from several different fields to develop models for heat transfer, light propagation, human be-havior, and other domains. To integrate these models, we propose the adoption of general modeling conven-tions from the less familiar field of modeling and sim-ulation theory. The conventions we explore are known as the Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS). With DEVS, a model-independent simulator responsi-ble for advancing time alleviates many of the techno-logical difficulties involved in coupling models.