[Bldg-sim] Expert Opinion on Energ. Bldg Simulation in Urban Context

[Aulbach, John]

Hi Farzia:

I am sure there are more robust, but more complicated 3-D models to use.
But many of us use eQuest, which is based on DOE-2.2. The 2.2 program is
an advance of the 25+ years of experience used in the US Department of
Energy's supported DOE-2 program. eQuest now gives us a front end to at
least ramp up various levels of intensity. There are three levels of
opportunity:

1) Schematic Design Wizard - Using a basic floor shape, one can do a
cursory building and a few Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs).

2) Design Development Wizard - Input floor by floor footprint shapes (or
multiple buildings) with the same level of EEM detail as the Schematic
Wizard.

3) Detailed interface - After creating your building (or buildings) in
either of the above Wizards, input anything DOE-2.2 can muster. 

All three levels can generate a 3-D interface.

You will still need to take a training course to acquaint you with the
basic program "theology" and hierarchies. But I believe this will give
you the best "bang for the buck (or Euro) that is presently available.

And this forum wonderful experts can give you assistance 24/7 (or so it
seems).



-----Original Message-----
From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of
fazia.alitoudert at daad-alumni.de
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 3:29 AM
To: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: [Bldg-sim] Expert Opinion on Energ. Bldg Simulation in Urban
Context

Dear Colleagues,

I am just starting with a research dealing with the energy performance
of urban buildings. The focus is put on the urban context, that is how
would be the energy consumption, thermal and comfort conditions of a
building if placed in a dense built area? also which urban and building
describers are the most decisive? Several urban arrangements (plan
density, H/W, etc.) and various building shapes (and
properties:Materials, Use, etc.) will be studied.

I am right now looking for the best tool for performing my simulations,
so preferably a building energy model (with a strong physical basis) but
including a 3D geometry module.
I would be very grateful if I can have some expert opinion on which tool
would be the most appropriate:
1. TRNSYS is a powerful tool but I still do not know whether it can
include any surrounding buildings (or even vertical screens offset from
the main building which would serve to represent those surroudings?) 2.
TAS includes a 3D modeller which allows the design of the whole 3D area
but I have not used it so far so I do not really know its capabilities,
strengthens and weaknesses.
3. Other models...? Please let me know for any proposed tool about its
ease of use vs. complexity. and how much time I need to learn use it.
4. Of course, I welcome every advice, literature references, or any
useful material.
Many Thanks in advance,
Best regards,
Fazia A.

---------------------------------------------
Fazia Ali-Toudert, Arch. Ph.D.
University of Dortmund - Faculty of Building Chair for Environmental
Architecture Baroper Str. 301
D-44227 Dortmund
Phone:  +49 231 755 5426
Fax:    +49 231 755 5423
website: http://www.bauwesen.uni-dortmund.de/ka/
email:   fazia.alitoudert at daad-alumni.de
          fazia.alitoudert at tu-dortmund.de

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