A Performance Comprehension of Various Numerical Estimators for Variance-Based Sensitivity Analysis in Building Energy Simulations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasool Koosha ◽  
Fatemeh Shahsavari
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Sensitivity Index ◽  
Energy Simulations ◽  
High Level

Abstract In the building energy performance simulation, the uncertainty analysis (UA) couples to the sensitivity analysis (SA) to handle ever-existing uncertainties; induced by the sources of uncertainty including random occupants behavior and degradation of building materials over time. As a building simulation tool reaches to a high level of complexity, it becomes more challenging for the sensitivity analysis to deliver reliable outputs; thus the accuracy of the SA results substantially depends upon the number of sample sets or the type of analysis performed. This paper describes a variance-based SA tool integrated into a building Resistance-Capacitance (RC) thermal model. Then, for a hypothetical residential building test case, three distinct first-order sensitivity index simulators and three total sensitivity index simulators are implemented and compared in terms of the dependency of results on the sample size, i.e., the demand for the computational cost.

Influence Study of Energy Consumption in Different Flats of a High Residential Building in North Part of China

2014 ◽  
Vol 525 ◽  
pp. 375-379
Author(s):  
Hua Ming Qu ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
Le Jin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
East Side ◽  
Building Energy Performance ◽  
North Part ◽  
High Level

In this study, a high level residential building, Building 1 (Block 1) of Qingheju low-rent community in Jinan, China is used as case for studying energy performance in its different flats under different conditions (levels, positions, opening directions, etc.). IES Virtual Environment (IES VE) is applied as main tool of simulating the building energy performance. The result reveals that flats at lower level, flats on the east side, flats with less area of external walls and openings can save more energy in both cooling and heating in this area.

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE BASED ON POLYNOMIAL CHAOS EXPANSION

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 173-183
Author(s):  
Wei Tian ◽  
Chuanqi Zhu ◽  
Pieter de Wilde ◽  
Jiaxin Shi ◽  
Baoquan Yin
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Polynomial Chaos ◽  
Predictive Performance ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Polynomial Chaos Expansion ◽  
Sensitivity Index ◽  
Chaos Expansion ◽  
Sample Number ◽  
Energy Assessment

ABSTRACT Global sensitivity analysis based on polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) shows interesting characteristics, including reduced simulation runs for computer models and high interpretability of sensitivity results. This paper explores these features of the PCE-based sensitivity analysis using an office building as a case study with the EnergyPlus simulation program. The results indicate that the predictive performance of PCE models is closely correlated with the stability of the sensitivity index, depending on sample number and expansion degree. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully assess model accuracy of PCE models and evaluate convergence of the sensitivity index when using PCE-based sensitivity analysis. It is also found that more simulation runs of building energy models are required for a higher expansion degree of the PCE model to obtain a reliable sensitivity index. A bootstrap technique with a random sample can be used to construct confidence intervals for sensitivity indicators in building energy assessment to provide robust sensitivity rankings.

scholarly journals Impact of Window to Wall Ratio on Energy Loads in Hot Regions: A Study of Building Energy Performance

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1080
Author(s):  
Mamdooh Alwetaishi ◽  
Omrane Benjeddou
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Building Energy Efficiency ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
Heating And Cooling

The concern regarding local responsive building design has gained more attention globally as of late. This is due to the issue of the rapid increase in energy consumption in buildings for the purpose of heating and cooling. This has become a crucial issue in educational buildings and especially in schools. The major issue in school buildings in Saudi Arabia is that they are a form of prototype school building design (PSBD). As a result, if there is any concern in the design stage and in relation to the selection of building materials, this will spread throughout the region. In addition to that, the design is repeated regardless of the climate variation within the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This research will focus on the influence of the window to wall ratio on the energy load in various orientations and different climatic regions. The research will use the energy computer tool TAS Environmental Design Solution Limited (EDSL) to calculate the energy load as well as solar gain. During the visit to the sample schools, a globe thermometer will be used to monitor the globe temperature in the classrooms. This research introduces a framework to assist architects and engineers in selecting the proper window to wall ratio (WWR) in each direction within the same building based on adequate natural light with a minimum reliance on energy load. For ultimate WWR for energy performance and daylight, the WWR should range from 20% to 30%, depending on orientation, in order to provide the optimal daylight factor combined with building energy efficiency. This ratio can be slightly greater in higher altitude locations.

scholarly journals Influence of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Materials on Building Energy Performance

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Tara L. Cavalline ◽  
Jorge Gallegos ◽  
Reid W. Castrodale ◽  
Charles Freeman ◽  
Jerry Liner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Lightweight Concrete ◽  
Lightweight Aggregate ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Energy Simulation ◽  
Building Energy Simulation ◽  
Building Energy Performance

Due to their porous nature, lightweight aggregates have been shown to exhibit thermal properties that are advantageous when used in building materials such as lightweight concrete, grout, mortar, and concrete masonry units. Limited data exist on the thermal properties of materials that incorporate lightweight aggregate where the pore system has not been altered, and very few studies have been performed to quantify the building energy performance of structures constructed using lightweight building materials in commonly utilized structural and building envelope components. In this study, several lightweight concrete and masonry building materials were tested to determine the thermal properties of the bulk materials, providing more accurate inputs to building energy simulation than have previously been used. These properties were used in EnergyPlus building energy simulation models for several types of commercial structures for which materials containing lightweight aggregates are an alternative commonly considered for economic and aesthetic reasons. In a simple model, use of sand lightweight concrete resulted in prediction of 15–17% heating energy savings and 10% cooling energy savings, while use of all lightweight concrete resulted in prediction of approximately 35–40% heating energy savings and 30% cooling energy savings. In more complex EnergyPlus reference models, results indicated superior thermal performance of lightweight aggregate building materials in 48 of 50 building energy simulations. Predicted energy savings for the five models ranged from 0.2% to 6.4%.

scholarly journals Comparison of the thermal performance between conventional and cob building

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 03003
Author(s):  
Kaoutar Zeghari ◽  
Hasna Louahlia ◽  
Malo Leguern ◽  
Mohamed Boutouil ◽  
Hamid Gualous ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Thermal Behaviour ◽  
Calculation Method ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Local Heat ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Stationary Regime ◽  
Thermal Regulation ◽  
Climate Data

The appliance of sustainable development approach in building has urged construction industry to adopt proper measurements to protect environment and reduce residential building energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Thus, an increasing interest in alternative building materials has developed including the use of bio-based materials such as cob which is studied in this paper. In the previous work, many experimental and numerical studies have been carried out to characterize thermal behaviour of earth buildings, reduce its thermal conductivity and water content. In this paper, an experimental study is carried out to determine the thermal properties and energy performance of cob building. Cob samples within different soil and fiber contents are studied using an experimental set up instrumented with flux meters and micro-thermocouples in order to evaluate the local heat flux and thermal conductivity during stationary regime. The results are analysed and compared to deduce the performant mixes in terms of thermal behaviour while respecting the French thermal regulation. A static thermal simulation based on RT 2012 calculation method (the official French calculation method for the energy performance of new residential and commercial buildings according to France thermal regulation) is used to compare energy performance between conventional and cob building using the French climate data base .

scholarly journals Sensitivity Analysis of the Thermal Energy Need of a Residential Building Assessed by means of the EN ISO 52016 Simplified Dynamic Method

2020 ◽  
Vol 197 ◽  
pp. 02012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz Bianco Mauthe Degerfeld ◽  
Ilaria Ballarini ◽  
Giovanna De Luca ◽  
Mamak P. Tootkaboni ◽  
Vincenzo Corrado
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Input Data ◽  
Dynamic Method ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Internal Heat ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Set Point ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Correct Definition

The EN ISO 52016-1:2018 technical standard has introduced a new simplified dynamic method for the calculation of the building energy need for heating and cooling. This new procedure combines a low amount of input data required, as for the previous quasi-steady and dynamic simplified methods of the withdrawn EN ISO 13790 standard, with an increased accuracy, which would reduce the gap with detailed dynamic methods. This work is part of a broader research activity aimed at investigating the new simplified dynamic model and highlighting its strengths and weaknesses, in terms of accuracy and robustness. Specifically, the work addresses the parameters that have a great influence on the final results and the effects of uncertainties in input data. To this purpose both standard and tailored energy performance assessments have been applied, in particular in the first one a continuous operation period of the space heating system was supposed, and in the second one an intermittent operation system was chosen. A sensitivity analysis was also carried out to quantify the variation of the heating and cooling loads with the set-point temperature, the windows physical properties, the heat capacity and the thermal transmission properties of opaque components, as well as the occupancy related input parameters, such as the internal heat gains and the ventilation flow rate. The analysis was applied to a multi-unit residential building located in Rome and built in the first half of the 20th century. The results outline absolute relevance of the set point temperatures. The significance of occupant behaviour and the importance of the correct definition of the component thermal properties is also pointed out through the comparison between the standard and tailored assessments.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF CAMPUS LEED® BUILDINGS: IMPLICATIONS FOR GREEN BUILDING AND ENERGY POLICY

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Chen ◽  
Lauren Kleinman ◽  
Aparna Dial
Keyword(s):  
Green Building ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Leed Certification ◽  
Leed Buildings ◽  
High Level

Many university campuses in the United States are working toward their sustainable goals by adopting energy or green building policies, which require Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification for new construction and major renovation projects. Because LEED certification heavily relies on whole building energy simulation to demonstrate building energy performance improvement, it is often assumed that the finished buildings will achieve the predicted level of energy efficiency. This paper presents a study that compares the energy model predictions with actual energy performance of three LEED buildings on a university campus. The study shows that one of the campus LEED buildings consumed twice the predicted energy usage while causing a high level of occupant dissatisfaction. Further investigation reveals a variety of contributing factors for these issues and provides insights to improve green building policy and practice. Not only are the research findings important for this particular campus (Ohio State University) on its way to sustainability, they also have widespread ramifications for other university campuses.

scholarly journals Updated Typical Weather Years for the Energy Simulation of Buildings in Mediterranean Climate. A Case Study for Sicily

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 4115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Costanzo ◽  
Gianpiero Evola ◽  
Marco Infantone ◽  
Luigi Marletta
Keyword(s):  
Residential Building ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Simulation ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Weather Station ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Energy Simulations

Building energy simulations are normally run through Typical Weather Years (TWYs) that reflect the average trend of local long-term weather data. This paper presents a research aimed at generating updated typical weather files for the city of Catania (Italy), based on 18 years of records (2002–2019) from a local weather station. The paper reports on the statistical analysis of the main recorded variables, and discusses the difference with the data included in a weather file currently available for the same location based on measurements taken before the 1970s but still used in dynamic energy simulation tools. The discussion also includes a further weather file, made available by the Italian Thermotechnical Committee (CTI) in 2015 and built upon the data registered by the same weather station but covering a much shorter period. Three new TWYs are then developed starting from the recent data, according to well-established procedures reported by ASHRAE and ISO standards. The paper discusses the influence of the updated TWYs on the results of building energy simulations for a typical residential building, showing that the cooling and heating demand can differ by 50% or even 65% from the simulations based on the outdated weather file.

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