Syllabus: Building Energy Modeling and Simulation
Course:
SUS 7900A / Engr 59920 Building Energy Modeling and Simulation
Instructors:
Michael Bobker, M.Sc., CEM Director, CUNY Building Performance Lab,
Availability: by appointment at Building Performance Lab, Compton-Goethals 014
Contact: michael.bobker@ccny.cuny.edu 212-650-5084
Mirza Sajjal, PE, BEMP, CEM, Teaching Associate, CUNY Building Performance Lab
Availability: in class and by appointment
Contact: mirzasajjal@gmail.com
Time:
Spring 2015, Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:00. Spitzer Architecture Computer Lab
Description:
This course provides a critical understanding of, and applied practice in, building performance
simulation with an emphasis on energy modeling. This emerging field utilizes quantitative data to
evaluate sustainability design goals and energy code compliance in buildings, as implemented
jointly by architects and engineers. Course topics cover basic building systems, how their use of
energy is calculated, and how their performance can be measured, characterized, and optimized.
Students will develop working competence in one of the most popular energy modeling tools, EQuest, familiarity with other programs and tools, and with a set of skills that will be applicable
regardless of the specific simulation tool being used.
Texts
EQuest Tutorial http://doe2.com/download/equest/eQ-v3-63_Introductory-Tutorial.pdf
Assigned readings on a weekly basis referring to the Bibliography at end of this syllabus. Assigned
readings are available as web downloads, on Reserve or in Reference section in the Architecture
(Spitzer) library, or in the Building Performance Lab (Compton-Goethals rm 014).
Learning Objectives
1. Overview knowledge of range of building modeling and simulation approaches and tools
2. Ability to construct simple models with tools commonly used in the building professions
3. Ability to apply models to common building industry functions such as comparison of design
features, selection of equipment, energy audits and retrofits, code compliance
Requirements
Student performance will be evaluated based on the following course requirements:
1. class attendance and participation as judged by the instructors (20%),
2. one exam (mid-term, take-home) (20%)
3. individual lab work as observed in class and by required submission (20%)
4. team project work (10%),
5. a short individual paper based on the team project (10%), and
6. demonstration of familiarity with one software package in addition to EQuest (20%).
Attendance: As a lab course in which a great deal of the learning is by doing, good attendance is important
and will be recorded. Students may miss two classes throughout the semester, after which they must consult
with the instructor.
Project Work: Students will perform a team-based energy modeling project and prepare a short individual
paper based on the project. Each student will present a part of the project. Project topics and structure will be
more fully addressed in a separate hand-out to be reviewed in class. The team project will be based on the
course’s sample building. Each team will select a topic from the list of project opportunities to be provided.
Teams will develop analyses that will be joined together into an overall project presentation. Students will
conduct their project using both lab and external time as necessary. Project work will be presented and
submitted in the final two weeks of the course.
The final paper (3-5 pages) should discuss and evaluate the group process (work flow), the analyses
performed, and describe his/her individual work within the group process.
Additional Software: Each student will demonstrate familiarity with one additional modeling software tool
beyond E-Quest. Students may participate in a workshop external to the class, take an on-line webinar, or
read in depth. Documentation of activity and understanding will be required.
Syllabus: Building Energy Modeling and Simulation
WEEKLY TOPICS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
Readings are shown in the week that they are due, ie – complete readings for that week’s class.
class
date
1
1/29
2
2/5
Class TopicLecture
Course overview. What are energy
models and how are they used?
Historical development of energy
modeling and tools.
Energy Modeling in the Design
Work Flow. In construction and
operations.
Class Topic –
LAB
Opening and navigating in
E-Quest.
READING
Intro to E-Quest – simple
box model, set-up To
Wizard or not to Wizard?
AIA Guide
EQ Tutorial
2/12 - No Class (Lincoln’s Birthday, College closed)
3
2/19
Human comfort conditions and
setting indoor conditions. Climate
regions and their implications.
Weather data and weather files.
EQuest simple box model
– produce a report.
Discuss findings.
Lechner ch 4+5
and/or Hensen ch 7
EQ Tutorial
4
2/26
Thermodynamics of buildings – the
building envelope -- conduction and
ventilation. Heat loss calculation.
Heating equipment. Energy code.
Setting up EQuest from
building plans.
Tao & Janis ch 2
+/or Lechner ch 15
EQ Tutorial
“simple box” report
5
3/5
EQ set-up of sample
building. Envelope
characteristics. Zones.
Tao & Janis ch 2
+/or Lechner ch 15
6
3/12
Thermodynamics of buildings Cooling load calculation: latent
heat, solar gain, lags, internal loads.
Cooling equipment. Building zoning.
Lighting technology, lighting energy
calculations. Controls and
daylighting.
Continuing EQ model
development of sample
building – Lighting.
Lechner ch 14, 13
Hensen ch 9
7
3/19
HVAC systems (an overview) and
indoor environmental quality
EQ model – HVAC
Mid-term distributed.
Lechner ch 16
Hensen ch 6 (scan)
8
3/26
Energy conservation measures.
Discussion of 2nd software and team
projects.
EQ runs, outputs, reports.
Comparison, discussion.
Take-home midterm due
9
4/2
Energy conservation measures,
energy audits and retrofit process.
EQ – comparison of run
results. Start of team
project work.
ASHRAE AEDG
Individual EQ
report (submission)
Quality assurance. Field
investigation. Model calibration in
existing buildings.
Energy Standards and Codes.
Modeling for code compliance.
EQ set-up for ECM
evaluation. Field condition
verification.
Project work – review
ECM runs
Waltz ch 3 + 4
Project work –
team meetings
Sallan ch 2
DOE BECP
Project work
Hensen chapters
13 +/or 14
Project work
draft presentations
4/9 – no class, Spring Break
10
4/16
11
4/23
12
4/30
Advanced topic: Energy models in
operations and control.
Project work – review and
finalize ECM runs.
13
5/7
14
5/14
Modeling standards and modeler
qualifications. Resources.
Student Presentations
Project work – review of
draft presentations
Student Presentations
Exam Week – Final Essay + 2nd software documentation - all work due by 5 pm 5/24 to Mr. Bobker
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Syllabus: Building Energy Modeling and Simulation
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES
Books
AIA An Architects Guide to Integrating Energy Modeling in the Design Process (free download
after registration, http://info.aia.org/aia/energymodeling.cfm)
ASHRAE Handbooks (Fundamentals, HVAC Systems & Equipment, Applications – various years)
ASHRAE AEDG (Advanced Energy Design Guide): SMALL OFFICE BUILDINGS (free download after
registration, go to ASHRAE.org and search “advanced energy design guides” or google directly)
Banham, Reyner The Architecture of the Well-tempered Environment Architectural Press 1969
Bonneville Power Administration Guidelines for Energy Simulation of Commercial Buildings 1992
(available on line, pdf download)
Clarke, JA Energy Simulation in Building Design Routledge 1985
Hensen, Jan & R. Lamberts Building Performance Simulation (ON RESERVE IN ARCH LIBRARY)
Heschong, Lisa Thermal Delight in Architecture MIT Press 1979
Underwood, Christopher and Francis Yik Modeling Methods for Energy in Buildings Blackwell 2004
Waltz,James Computerized Building Energy Simulation Handbook Fairmont Press 2000
Energy Standards and Code
ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Energy Standards for Buildings except Low-rise Residential
ASHRAE Standard 62.1 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
New York City Energy Code - Guidelines and Training Modules
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/codes_and_reference_materials/nycecc_main.shtml
New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code public access at
http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/st/ny/st/b1200v10/index.htm
Sallan Foundation-CUNY Building Performance Lab “Decoding the Code”
http://www.sallan.org/Decoding-the Code/SallanReport_DecodingTheCode_web.pd f
Building System Texts
Grondzik, Walter et.al. Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings (originally McGuiness, Stein)
Lechner, Norbert Heating, Cooling Lighting: Sustainable Design Methods for Architects
McQuiston, Faye and Jerald Parker Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Analysis and Design
Tao, William and Richard Janis Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings
Organizations & Websites
ASHRAE Building Energy Modeler Professional Certification
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/
Building Energy Modeling Book of Knowledge (BEMBOOK) wiki,
http://bembook.ibpsa.us/index.php?title=Main_Page#
COMNET Modeling Guidelines and Procedures 2010 http://www.comnet.org/download-pdfs-mgp-manual
Energy Design Resources www.energydesignresources.com/
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Syllabus: Building Energy Modeling and Simulation
International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) www.ibpsa.org/ and US Chapter,
IBPSA-USA http://www.ibpsa.us/ . See papers from the annual SimBuild conference, posted on the
IBPSA and IBPSA-USA websites.
US Dept of Energy “Building Energy Software Tools Directory”
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/
US Dept of Energy (DOE) “Building Energy Codes Program”
www.energycodes.gov
Journals
There are a large number of relevant journals available in the CCNY library and its on-line collection.
Several of the main journals in this field include:
Applied Energy
Energy and Environment
Energy and Buildings
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