Application of building energy simulation in the sizing and design optimization of an office building and its HVAC equipment

Abstract

The reduction of energy consumption in buildings is of central importance in the North America's and European Union's energy policy. Following the adoption of legislative measures, methodologies are developed and employed to calculate the year-round energy performance of buildings. A number of computational tools are already available, however, the specific procedures of incorporating their use in the building shell and HVAC system's design process are not yet agreed. Energy performance standards for new buildings and large existing buildings subject to major renovation, are set at national level, but the process of translating these standards to shell and HVAC system sizing and design is not yet clear. This paper demonstrates the application of TRNSYS building energy simulation to produce design optimization directions for a new Department building under study contract. Sensitivity runs are employed to assess the effect of certain design parameters on the transient building's energy performance. The simulation process is demonstrated for two different levels of detail, with the higher level involving detailed simulation of the main HVAC equipment. The results of energy simulation runs are presented in the form of designer friendly diagrams, with special emphasis on the transient performance during critical periods of the year. The role of building shell insulation and design, HVAC system size, (heating and cooling), ventilation strategy, equipment performance characteristics and climatic conditions is studied. Based on the results, a methodology can be assembled for the incorporation of building energy simulation on the building shell and HVAC design process. Reasonable criteria for the degree of modeling complexity to be implemented, based on the available manpower, computing and other resources are discussed. © 2011 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.