Embedding simulation within energy sector businesses

The potential of building energy simulation is now well recognised and the use of the technology by progressive energy sector companies is growing. The success of any building performance assessment hinges on the capabilities of the tool, the collective competences of the team formed to apply it and, most crucially, the rigour of the inhouse quality control procedure. Two core issues facing the professions are the management of simulation and the quality assurance of the related models and appraisal results. This paper describes how the Scottish Energy Systems Group (SESG) aims to transfer simulation to energy sector companies and, through specialist staff secondments, to support this transfer in the context of day-to-day work practices. The intention is to demonstrate that simulation-based design can yield results, quicker, cheaper and better than conventional methods. The SESG is a joint Scottish Office, Industry, Scottish Enterprise venture. This paper outlines the aims of the SESG and describes the core elements of its operation.