[Bldg-sim] Building Energy Modeling Guidelines

Contoyannis, Dimitrios AEC DContoyannis at archenergy.com
Mon Mar 5 14:00:07 PST 2012


The COMNET Modeling Guidelines & Procedures provides a detailed modeling spec that can be applied to programs like LEED (90.1 Appendix G), IRS 179D tax deduction, and Design to Earn EnergyStar.
http://www.comnet.org/mgp-manual


From: CleanTech Analytics [mailto:jeremiah at cleantechanalytics.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2012 9:18 PM
To: Pavel Dybskiy
Cc: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] Building Energy Modeling Guidelines

Gentelmen,
As a self educated Modeler, who takes the task very seriously I might add, I encourage you to read the publication by the rocky mountain institute on what they call "Black Belt Energy Modeling".. And see how you feel you rank in the system. (I would say I am a purple belt)

Check this link http://www.rmi.org/Content/Files/Black%20Belt%20Modeling%20Matrix%20RMI%2008-27-10.pdf

Or see attachment for the full pdf,

Black Belt Energy Modeling1
The concept of black belt energy modeling arose from a need to set forth
expectations, training materials, and professional development paths for learning
this specialized skill. While contributions can be made at many levels, becoming a
master requires a depth and breadth of knowledge pertaining to engineering,
building science and energy simulation tools. The Black Belt Energy Modeling
Matrix presented below outlines a spectrum of modeling capabilities – from trainee
to master – along with the associated skills and background knowledge to support
success.
The framework and content of the matrix are based on providing integrated design
assistance as typically delivered to the private sector. Thus the outline may not align
well to other applications. It does not reflect the benefits of a streamlined BIM
process or software that automatically generates a minimally code‐compliant
building model.
1 Concept developed by Ellen Franconi, PhD, of the Rocky Mountain Institute. These materials are
copyrighted through a Creative Commons License, which allows use and distribution as long as credit is
given to the original author.
Black Belt Energy Modeling Matrix
Belt Capabilities Examples Background
Knowledge2
Trainee
White • Collect modeling
input data
• Gather information
needed for
characterizing the
building from
construction
documents,
narratives, survey
data, etc.
• Basic engineering
methods, units,
conversions
• Reading construction
drawings
• Familiarity with
construction materials,
methods, and
mechanical systems
• Familiarity with space
requirements as
outlined in Standards
(supply flow rates,
outdoor air, lumen
levels)
Yellow • Perform input data
calculations
• Convert data collected
from various sources
to a form used by the
simulation program
(fan power
calculations, EER to
EIR calculations,
window COG U‐value
to overall U‐value,
etc.)
• Spreadsheets
• Building load
calculation procedures
• Mechanical system
basics
Orange • Develop building
geometry and zoning
• Import AutoCAD files
and manipulate as
needed to incorporate
into modeling
software
• Develop zoning based
on thermal block
concepts
• Finalize zoning after
master modeler
review
• Computer drawing
programs as applicable
• Basic heat transfer
• Basic thermodynamics
• Basic mechanical
system design
concepts
2 Background knowledge for a belt includes that for lower-level belts
Belt Capabilities Examples Background
Knowledge2
Technician
Green • Create building input
file using software
wizard
• Use modeling
software graphical
user interface and
complete basic
building model based
on proposed design,
project input data and
software default
values
• Building science
(envelope, lighting,
electrical, mechanical,
renewable building
systems)
Blue • Build minimally‐code
compliant building
model
• Modify proposed
design model to
characterize
minimally‐compliant
building in adherence
to the referenced
method
• Reference Standards
(ASHRAE 90.1 ‐
Performance Rating
Method, ASHRAE 62.1,
COMNET)
Core Analyst
Purple • Perform parametric
analysis for straight
forward design
alternates
• Review predicted
energy use by end
use and costs for
reasonableness
• Complete utility and
end‐use level
calibration of existing
building models
• Outline energy
conservation
measures applicable
to the project
• Characterize the
measures for
modeling
• Use modeling
software parametric
capabilities
• For an existing
building, reconcile
actual with predicted
utility resource use
through repeated
comparison and gross
model adjustment
• Actual building energy
consumption by end
use for different types
of buildings and
systems
• Energy efficiency
measures and their
performance
characterization
• Modeling software
commands and
keywords
• Utility rate structures
Belt Capabilities Examples Background
Knowledge2
Brown • Perform modeling of
complex features,
systems or
components not
readily characterized
in the software
• Complete detailed
quality assurance
review
• Complete system
level calibration of
existing building
models
• Make the most of
existing software
capabilities to model
UFAD, chilled beams,
make‐up air units, slab
losses, etc.
• Use detailed output
reports and postprocessing
tools to
perform a reality
check on component
and system‐level
results/metrics.
• Advanced heat transfer
• Advanced
thermodynamics
• Advanced building
science
• IPMVP/EVO concepts
including balancing risk
with value
Master
Red • Understand the
engineering
algorithms used by
the software and
modify modeling
input/methods to
improve input
characterizations
• Use supplemental
detailed analysis to
support simulation
software workarounds
or short cuts.
• Use supplemental CFD
modeling results to
characterize impact of
natural ventilation
strategy. Build an
hourly infiltration
schedule to mimic CFD
results and
incorporate into
whole‐building model.
• Deep knowledge of
modeling software
• Experience applying
heat transfer and
thermodynamic
algorithms related to
building science
Black • Balance modeling
level of detail against
accuracy of results
needed to support
decision making
• Provide qualitative
assessments of design
options and conduct
limited modeling as
needed
• Vast project modeling
experience
• Understanding of
application challenges
and actual achieved
performance
Black Belt Energy Modeling Matrix for PowerPoint Presentations
Belt Capabilities
Trainee
White • Collect modeling input data
Yellow • Perform input data calculations
Orange • Develop building geometry and zoning
Technician
Green • Create building input file using software wizard
Blue • Build minimally‐code compliant building model
Core
Analyst
Purple • Review results for reasonableness
• Complete calibrations
Brown • Perform complex modeling
• Complete detailed QC
• Complete system level calibration
Master
Red • Understand the algorithms
• Use supplemental analysis
Black • Balance modeling level of detail against accuracy of
results needed to support decision making

On Sun, Mar 4, 2012 at 5:40 PM, Pavel Dybskiy <pdybskiy at gmail.com<mailto:pdybskiy at gmail.com>> wrote:
Good analogy in case ... if the modeler's job is to run a model developed by an expert, and only change weather files and sometimes windows' size and temperature set point :)
 Pavel

On Sun, Mar 4, 2012 at 7:14 PM, Hussein Abaza <ahussein at spsu.edu<mailto:ahussein at spsu.edu>> wrote:
I think modeling is one thing, and understanding the causes and results when modeling is something else. It is like the X-ray technician and the doctor who look at the X-ray image to interpret it.  Yes, we need professional modeler, but we also need building technology experts who can derive meaningful information from the energy model to evaluate and improve the design. Otherwise, it will be shooting in the dark.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Haberl" <jhaberl at tamu.edu<mailto:jhaberl at tamu.edu>>
To: "Pavel Dybskiy" <pdybskiy at ryerson.ca<mailto:pdybskiy at ryerson.ca>>
Cc: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2012 6:05:50 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] Building Energy Modeling Guidelines

O.K.



Here goes...



Jeff



________________________________
From: pdybskiy at gmail.com<mailto:pdybskiy at gmail.com> [pdybskiy at gmail.com<mailto:pdybskiy at gmail.com>] on behalf of Pavel Dybskiy [pdybskiy at ryerson.ca<mailto:pdybskiy at ryerson.ca>]
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2012 3:48 PM
To: Jeff Haberl
Cc: Paul Carey; 韩星; Ellen Franconi; bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org>
Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] Building Energy Modeling Guidelines
Jeff,

1) Is it correct to say that any problem discussed on this list can be answered by referring to some of sources that were just mentioned?

I have always found that the sample files that come with DOE-2 and EQUEST provide advise on how to model 90% of most buildings. The 10% would include things that can't be modeled well with DOE-2 and/or EQUEST including: atriums, borrowed-lite windows (i.e., glass on an inside partition), courtyard buildings with interior gardens (i.e., evaporative cooling that leads to different temps in the courtyard -- see John Reynolds book). If one adds the 17 DOE EnergyPlus files, then you could make that 95%.

2) More general.. Can you give an estimate on how many professionals in BEM community (ten, hundred, thousand) are, let's say, 100% educated, 'self-sufficient', capable of demonstrating the ultimate level of knowledge?

Whew! I think there are about 100+ or so ASHRAE Certified BEM modelers...which grows every month. Conservatively, if you doubled or tripled that number to include good modelers that have not taken the exam, then you might have a few hundred folks that are certified or equivalent.

If you want to know those who are capable of demonstrating the ultimate knowledge, you'd have to be code-specific, and then I would guess there are probably less than 20 persons per code or less that really know what they are doing well enought to write rewrite the code (i.e., DOE-2), or edit the FORTRAN and recompile the code. Unfortunately, many of the folks who wrote the original algorithms for DOE-2 and BLAST (a part of EnergyPlus) are no longer around.

In the case of EnergyPlus, I would guess there are maybe 20 people that really know the code well enough to edit it and/or write new modules. Obviously, those who worked on it, and a few more, that's about it.

For TRNSYS, the number is probably smaller. In the U.S. the source of most knowledge about TRNSYS is in Wisconsin (i.e., TESS or UofW-M).

3) More specifically.. From your experience, what is an average percentage of  graduates from your school  who becomes an expert in BEM?

I've always believed that it takes about 10 years of constant use to become expert. I educate about 10 to 20 persons per year, and have done so for 27 years. So, about 1/2 of my students may or may not have been praticing for 10 years, which brings them into the realm of becoming expert. Our current staff at the ESL who work on our code-compliant web-based calculator are all expert level (...they now teach me!).
4) More on this... How many BEM schools are there in US?

I'm sure I'll insult someone here...

Can you name them?
I can name schools where I know folks: MIT, PSU, TAMU, UT, OSU, CU, UC Berkeley, UofI, ASU, UofW-Milwaukee, UofW-Madison, UofW-Milwaukee, Purdue,UPenn, Cornell, CUNY, U.Kansas...and others.

Jeff

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you,

Pavel Dybskiy

2012/3/4 Jeff Haberl <jhaberl at tamu.edu<mailto:jhaberl at tamu.edu>>

Ellen,



Here's a few more:



1. In a way the sample files that come with DOE-2.1e are showing you examples of buildings that LBNL assembled to go with DOE-2. You can view these with DrawBDL. However, there is only limited text that explains he intent of the file, and now guideline so to speak about modeling a building, in general.



In a similar fashion, EQUEST comes with input files that you can view as well that pretty much cover the full range of building types.



Finally, the DOE EnergyPlus standard 17 building type files (that came originally from Joe Huang I'm told) are also examples of how to model different building types.



There are also the books by Joe Clarke, Godfried Augenbroe, Jan Hensen/Roberto Lambert on simulation that provide varying advice on simulation.



Also, TRNSYS has lots of files in their library that show how to model different things (mostly systems), that are useful as well.



Problem is with any guide, anywhere is that, at some point,  is has to be specific to a particular simulation program, or else it becomes so general that it loses it meaning.



If you want something that is really interesting, look at the 1958 ASHRAE paper by Buchberg that talks about modeling a one room hut using an analog electrical circuit...this was the start of it all.



Jeff




8=!  8=)  :=)  8=)  ;=)  8=)  8=(  8=)  8=()  8=)  8=|  8=)  :=')  8=)8=?

Jeff S. Haberl, Ph.D.,P.E., FASHRAE..............jhaberl at tamu.edu<mailto:FASHRAE..............jhaberl at tamu.edu>

Professor............................................................Office Ph: 979-845-6507

Department of Architecture.............................Lab Ph:979-845-6065

Energy Systems Laboratory.............................FAX: 979-862-2457

Texas A&M University.....................................77843-3581

College Station, Texas, USA, 77843..................URL:www.esl.tamu.edu<http://www.esl.tamu.edu>

8=/  8=)  :=)  8=)  ;=)  8=)  8=()  8=)  :=)  8=)  8=!  8=)  8=? 8=)8=0
________________________________
From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org> [bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org>] on behalf of Paul Carey [paul at zed-uk.com<mailto:paul at zed-uk.com>]
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2012 2:53 AM
To: 韩星; Ellen Franconi
Cc: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org>
Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] Building Energy Modeling Guidelines
Ashrae 90.1 isn't a guideline? Its a set of massively prescriptive and defined rules for assessing buildings against benchmark buildings.

We have a similar document to some extent in the UK. The national calculation methodology document that accompanies the iSBEM energy calculation tool available from the BRE outlines how to model in accordance with UK regulations or at least it does to some extent.

Ok whilst writing this I've altered my opinions and so both are probably worth adding to list as they do have  some useful information on how to define zones, etc rather than just being code style documents.

Kind regards

Paul



Sent from my HTC

Dr Paul Carey
Director

Zero Energy Design Ltd
10a Portland Place
2-22 Mottram Road
Stalybridge
Cheshire
UK
SK15 3AD

Tel - +44 161 3386200
Mob - +44 789 4098012
Email - paul at zed-uk.com<mailto:paul at zed-uk.com>



----- Reply message -----
From: "韩星" <foolishstar at 163.com<mailto:foolishstar at 163.com>>
Date: Sun, Mar 4, 2012 03:02
Subject: [Bldg-sim] Building Energy Modeling Guidelines
To: "Ellen Franconi" <efranconi at rmi.org<mailto:efranconi at rmi.org>>
Cc: <bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org>>


Of course ASHRAE 90.1 APPENDIX G is the most popular guideline I think




At 2012-03-04 06:05:51,"Ellen Franconi" <efranconi at rmi.org<mailto:efranconi at rmi.org>> wrote:
I am compiling a list of published Building Energy Modeling Guidelines. I know of a few and was hoping to get some help from all of you to fill it out. This is what I know of:

1) CIBSE Applications Manual AM11: 1998, Building Energy and Environmental Modelling. The manual is available to members of the United Kingdom organization - the Chartered Institution of Building Services (CIBSE).

2) From the Colorado Governor's Energy Office, ENERGY MODELING: A GUIDE FOR THE BUILDING PROFESSIONAL. See http://rechargecolorado.org/images/uploads/pdfs/Energy_Modelling_062411.pdf

3) AIA Modeling Guidelines (believe there is a draft out for public review) but what I find on their website is:
An Architects Guide to Integrated Modeling Within the Design Process

4) GSA BIM to BEM also out for public review,see: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/105075

5) ASHRAE Research Project 1468 BIM to BEM,

What have others come across?

--
Ellen Franconi, PhD, LEED AP, BEMP
Senior Consultant, Built Environment Team

Rocky Mountain Institute
1820 Folsom Street
Boulder, CO 80302
303.567.8609 (Desk)
303.245.7213 (Fax)

Rocky Mountain Institute drives the efficient and restorative use of
resources, creating a world thriving, verdant, and secure, for all, for ever.

http://www.rmi.org


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--
Best Regards,

Pavel Dybskiy
M.A.Sc<http://M.A.Sc>. Candidate, Department of Architectural Science
Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science, Ryerson University
E-mail: pdybskiy at ryerson.ca<mailto:pdybskiy at ryerson.ca>;
telephone: 647-984-4940<tel:647-984-4940>

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--

Dr. Hussein Abaza, Assistant Professor

Construction Management Department

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE’

CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

 And CONSTRUCTION

1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060-2896

Website: www.spsu.edu/cost<http://www.spsu.edu/cost>  Tel: 678-915-3719<tel:678-915-3719> Fax: 678-915-4966<tel:678-915-4966>

E-mail: ahussein at spsu.edu<mailto:ahussein at spsu.edu>




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Best
-p.d.


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