When it comes to designing new builds or renovations, energy planning is a real challenge — and is often deprioritized in the early design stages, with the focus being on design, engineering, and construction. However, if the planning of energy is looked at early on, it can be crucial in helping engineers and architects meet their project goals and appease capital decision-makers. This process is called Energy Modeling. We explain how beneficial a tool this is, as well as provide examples of our success with this process. It will help you with decision-making during the design phase — before it’s too late and becomes a roadblock.
Energy modeling is a process using computer simulation to evaluate the energy use of a building. This analysis includes all the elements of a building that impact energy consumption, both directly and indirectly. Whole-Building Energy Modeling (BEM) is a versatile, multipurpose tool that is used in new building and retrofit design, code compliance, green certification, and qualification for financial incentives including tax credits and utility rebates.
BEM is a physics-based software simulation of building energy use. A BEM program takes a description of a building as input — including geometry, construction materials, lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, water heating, renewable generation system configurations, component efficiencies, and control strategies. It also takes descriptions of the building’s use and operation including schedules for occupancy, lighting, plug-loads, and thermostat settings.
A BEM program combines these inputs with information about local weather and uses proven calculation methods to determine thermal loads, system response to those loads, and resulting energy use, along with related metrics like occupant comfort and energy costs. BEM programs perform a full year of calculations on an hourly or shorter basis. They also account for system interactions throughout the building, like those between lighting and heating/cooling.
BEM applications leverage their ability to answer questions that cannot be easily answered by other means. Major use cases include the following:
As we all well know, there are so many factors that go into a build — one of the most important being to meet the project’s financial requirements. Time and again, we see construction teams put energy planning on the back burner, only for it to come back and be a major thorn in their project and financial drain.
Utility rates and demand charges heavily influence a building’s operating and maintenance costs. It’s important for new construction to meet the high building standards we face today, to understand energy use, and as leaders in the building industry, to consider scope emissions and look into reducing their emissions profile. If you do, it will lead to improved building performance and lower costs.
Emerald’s team has significant modeling experience ranging from the world’s first LEED-Certified Steel Production facility and a 2M SF mixed-use development at the Zurich Airport to a variety of other spaces in categories such as K-12 schools, higher education, light industrial, residential, retail, hospital, hospitality space, and corporate headquarters. These examples show how modeling delivers results for project teams:
Regardless of where a project is in its timeline, having an advisor on board to explain energy modeling, as well as your options and discuss the consequences, will keep the project timely and within budget. Bringing Emerald Built Environments into your project early on will allow an understanding of the dynamics when it comes time to discuss and develop the design. There is no single solution that fits all cases. The plan needs to be flexible and dynamic to evolve with the scale and needs of your project. With a trusted team working collaboratively and inclusively, the design and resulting project will have a better chance to succeed.
To learn more about how energy modeling can improve the financial outcome for new construction and renovation projects, click below to download our free eBook.