10: Energy Analysis

10: Energy Analysis#

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Description#

A process in the 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 proposed design to reduce structure’s life-cycle costs.

Potential Value#

  • Save time and costs by obtaining building and system information automatically from BIM 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

References for Additional Information#

General Services Administration (GSA) (2015). “BIM Guide 05 - Energy Performance.” Version 2.1. Available at http://www.gsa.gov/bim. ASHRAE. 2009. ASHRE Handbook-Fundamentals. Atlanta. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. Bazjanac. V. (2008). IFC BIM-Based Methodology for Semi-Automated Building Energy Performance Simulation. Proceedings of CIB-W78 25th International Conferenceon 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

Potential Output Information#

• Energy model • Predicted energy use with variation based upon design alternatives

Source: BIM Project Execution Planning Guide, Ver. 2.2 with minor revisions.