Powering BIM—Capitalizing on Revit for Building Energy
Modeling
David Butts
BIM Specialist – Gannett Fleming
#dabutts7
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Join the conversation #AU2016
Class summary
In this session, we’ll examine how to prepare and capitalize on your Revit
software model to get the best results. We’ll start by reviewing what an energy
model needs from Revit software to maximize the results. Next, you’ll discover
how to create an energy model in Revit and review the simulation results. After
learning what the predicted energy costs are going to be, we’ll take a peek into
Insight 360 software to perform a heating and cooling load analysis, and we’ll
wrap up by reviewing the lighting and solar potential analysis tools. It’s all about
taking the power of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to the next level, and
using it to produce a sustainable design. This session features Revit, Insight 360
and Green Building Studio.
© 2016 Autodesk
Key learning objectives
At the end of this class, you will be able to:
 Learn Revit project setup and modeling tips to get the best results in
your analysis software
 Learn how to examine the Revit energy modeling settings, and how to
perform a baseline simulation
 Discover Insight 360, and learn how it expands the original energy
modeling tools to perform tests for heating and cooling loads using the
DOE software’s EnergyPlus tools
 Learn about additional Insight tools for lighting and solar studies
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Powering BIM—Capitalizing
on Revit for Building Energy
Modeling - Introduction
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Why?
 Gain better understanding of
design on environment and
resources
 Industry can leverage design
models for more than
construction documentation
 Communicate ROI on different
strategies while minimizing
design costs
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Project Setup and Modeling
Tips for Best Analysis
Results
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Before the Project Setup
 What type of energy modeling and what details are
required?
 What are the Federal/State/Local governing
agency requirements the design must meet?
 What are the expected Energy Use Intensity
(EUI) metrics?
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EUI Metrics
Examples of EUI measured using the design model from Insight 360:
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Before the Project Setup
 For Heating/Cooling Load requirements, can
you compare systems to determine Annual
Energy Costs?
 Can you examine Potential Energy Savings
based on structure design/conditioning
systems/passive equipment?
 Are there opportunities for Water/Sustainable
Material reuse?
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Setting Up the Project – The Templates
 Area and Volume Calculations
 Building/Space Types
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Setting Up the Project – The Templates
 Material Thermal Properties
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Project setup workflow and features
 Site Oriented Projects
 Key to get correct location and orientation
 Acquire Coordinates from Site Model
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Conceptual Versus Building Element Analysis
 Conceptual Masses and Shapes
 Use in preliminary stages
 Easy to orient to site
 Can add mass floors
 Best for overall studies
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Conceptual Versus Building Element Analysis
 Building Element Modeling
 Use architectural bounding elements
(Walls, openings, floors, ceilings,
roofs)
 Use generic types – don’t over model!
 Model accurately – avoid gaps
 Avoid extra features – column
enclosures, bumps, cutouts, reveals,
Mom’s pictures
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Conceptual Versus Building Element Analysis
 Building Element Modeling
 Pay attention to the vertical
aspects of your design
 Locate Rooms/Spaces/Zones
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Defining Energy Model
Settings and Features
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Defining Energy Model Settings and Features
 Compatibility with Standards
 DOE 2.2
 ASHRAE 90.1/140
 ASHRAE 62.1
 Climate Data based on Location
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Defining Energy Model Settings and Features
 Project Information and Energy Settings
 Set after project is defined
 Can be modified by location
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Defining Energy Model Settings and Features
 Internal Tools for communication with
analysis software
 Built in tools
 Vendor Add-ins
Revit 2016 R2/2017
Revit 2017.1
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Project Energy Settings
 Subset of Project Information
 Essential settings for energy modeling
 Location
 Mode
 Conceptual Masses
 Building Elements
 Or Both!
 Ground Plane
 Project Phase
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Project Energy Settings
 More Energy Analytical Model Settings
 Essential settings for energy modeling
 Analytical Space Resolution
 Analytical Surface Resolution
 Perimeter Zone Depth
 Perimeter Zone Division
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Project Energy Settings
 Other options are key to rounding out the
data for analysis
 Detailed Model
 Building Data
 Room/Space Data (Export)
 Material Thermal Properties
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Creating the Energy Model…before Insight 360
 After reviewing all settings, and adding conceptual
masses/building elements, create the energy model
 Model is based on the volumetric space of all elements,
and the analytical space resolution settings
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Discovering Insight 360
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Discovering Insight 360
 Web Based Energy Modeling tool
 Integrated several analysis tools into one
interface
 Available for Revit 2016 R2 and later
 Included with subscriptions – accessed from
Ribbon tools
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Discovering Insight 360
 Analysis is referred to as “insight”
 Based on model runs
 Generates reports for specific areas
where efficiency gains can be made
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Discovering Insight 360
Specific Reports include:
-
Benchmark
Model History
Building Orientation
Wall to Window Ratio
Window Shading
Window Glass Properties
Wall Construction
Roof Construction
Infiltration
Lighting Efficiency
Daylighting/Occupancy
Plug Load
HVAC
Operating Schedule
Photovoltaic Options
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Discovering Insight 360
 Selecting a report toggles a more detailed
view
 As a report is selected, the 3D model view
updates to reflect details from the report
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Example – Heating/Cooling Loads
 Based on data derived from model’s
space/zone data, objects, etc.
 Select the report to see range of options
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Example – Heating/Cooling Loads
 Editing the insight allows you
to see the energy cost mean
and cost based on system
 Adjust the range to limit
options and show change in
energy cost mean
 Improves benchmark and EUI
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Example – Heating/Cooling Loads
 Summary Report shows
overall building performance
summary, component and
space summaries
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Revit 2017.1 Update
 Optimization tool builds the energy analysis
from Insight 360 directly into the program
 Set Location
 Create Energy Model
 Generate Insight
 Edit Energy Settings
 Optimize!
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Revit 2017.1 Update
 Analytical Space and Surface Schedules
added to the model
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Additional Tools and
Summary
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Insight 360 Lighting Analysis option
 Cloud based optimization for LEED v4 Eqc
option 2, LEED 2009 IEQc8.1, or custom
levels
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Insight 360 Lighting Analysis option
 Schedules are generated allow properties to
be adjusted for threshold results
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Insight 360 Solar Analysis option
 Detailed analysis of PV potential based on
insights from Revit model
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Insight 360 Solar Analysis option
 Results are displayed in a 3D view, and can be
adjusted for reports
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Insight 360 Solar Analysis option
 Schedules are generated allow properties to
be adjusted for threshold results
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Questions!
Remember – MP19638 is the class –
please remember to complete the
survey!
Thanks for attending!
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specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2016 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
© 2016 Autodesk. All rights reserved.