English

The aim of this paper is to develop a new concept of sketch tools for the very steps of the design process. The originality lies in the use of optimization to define a global design of the building, the energy system and the control strategy. Therefore, an adapted model of the building has been realized, not directly using fine dynamic models (like those that can be found in tools TRNSYS, DOE2.2 and EnergyPlus...), but more coarse equations adapted to the sketch design phase. Those models are based on static and macroscopic equations investigating energetic and financial balances.

Results of this study show how heat mitigation effects of planting elementary school lawns in urban regions differ according to eight school building configurations and two surrounding building models. Results show the following. 1) Heat mitigation effects with high-rise buildings (MODEL_H) are higher than those with normal height buildings (MODEL_N) for eight school building configurations. 2) For MODEL_H, with higher surrounding buildings, enclosure-type school building configurations show high heat mitigation effects of lawns in terms of temperature differences.

In this paper, the effect of the windows shading systems both on visual and thermal comfort and on the total building energy needs (for heating, cooling and artificial lighting) has been analyzed. An open-space office module with different windows characteristics has been simulated with EnergyPlus 7.2, controlling the internal conditions with appropriate comfort setpoints. Different window distributions (on a single façade or on opposite façades), and two orientations have been analysed, varying the glazed area and the glazing type.

Designing Net Zero Energy Buildings (Net ZEB) requires extensive work to identify a suitable combination of energy efficiency measures and energy generation technologies that will enable a building to satisfy its annual energy needs. Establishing design guidelines that can be followed to reach net zero energy consumption could ease the design of new Net ZEB. Would a Net ZEB still be net zero when moved to another climate? If not, could this building be modified to be net zero again by following design guidelines?

Completed in early 2012, the showcase Tyree Energy Technologies Building (TETB) is the new home for several energy research groups at the University of New South Wales. This landmark, 6 Green Star Environmentally Sustainable Design, is a state of the art of innovative energy technologies and leading architectural design. This paper investigates the performance of the building itself and of its key systems during the first year of operation, while giving an analysis of the control system.

In this paper, a framework that couples energy modeling with building information models (BIM), building automation systems and occupancy data is developed using a distributed computing environment based on the principles defined in the High-Level Architecture (HLA) proposed by the US Department of Defense (DOD). The premise is that building stakeholders typically overlook opportunities to influence occupancy behavior because it is hard to measure its impact on energy use.