Welcome to "Energy Performance of Building Simulation & Analysis" at Dalarna University

1.Course Introduction

The main aim of this course is to provide you with a solid foundation as a building service engineer, focusing on understanding principles, models, and the ability to use relevant tools.

The Building Energy Performance Simulation & Analysis course is worth 5 ECTS credits for ABY22W. It runs concurrently with most courses with the Energy Project BY2022, which is worth 7.5 ECTS credits. According to Sweden’s higher education system, students should typically spend 125-150 hours on self-learning for ABY22W and 187-225 hours for the Energy Project, based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). In other words, please allocate an additional 11-14 full working days for ABY22W and 18-23 full working days for BY2022, along with normal teaching activities participation.

Please notice that sufficient self-learning and practice are crucial for achieving the final skills and knowledge required.

2.Learning Outcomes 

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• • Demonstrate knowledge within the field of energy efficiency of buildings;
  • Model and simulate a building’s energy performance with the proposed simulation software;
  • Gain insight into energy optimization from the perspective of sustainable development;
  • Compare and analyze several energy-efficiency measures in the model to obtain the best energy conservation scenario;
  • Practice in working independently in a sustainability consulting team and gain an impression on how to compose an Engineering Consultancy Report and Oral Presentation

3.Assessment

There is no exam for the course. The course assessment is based on the final project. The final grade has two parts:

-Written report 4 credits (4 cr, Grades:  5/4/3 – Fail for individual). The learning outcomes that are judged in the report are detailed in the next chapter.

-Final individual seminar presentation with poster 1 credit (Grades: P/F).

Once the final project is accomplished, the course will be considered completed, and you will be graded according to the Swedish grades U, 3, 4, and 5, where U stands for failed, while the oral presentation will only be given a pass/fail grade. The higher grades are for a deeper understanding of the learning outcomes, and the two reports will be designed to determine whether you have this or not, but a grade addition can be taken up based on the quality of the oral presentation.

A specific requirement for the final project will be specified in the instruction documents. If changes are needed for the report to be passed, you will be asked to revise it. Only two revised versions will be judged during the year. A new deadline will be given for the handing in of the revised version. The report will normally be assessed within two weeks of the deadline for the task. If the report is not delivered in time, then it will not be graded until after the end of the course.

4. How is the course organized?

The course uses a variety of different teaching methods: lectures, a group assignment, workshops, and seminars. The lectures are based mainly on lecture slides but given complementary information that is designated to make it easier to achieve the learning outcomes. The tutorial is not obligatory, but it is designated to give you a better insight and a deeper understanding that should help you achieve higher grades in the grade.

The teaching methods are designated to help you achieve the learning outcomes. We feel it is important to combine different types of teaching, as different students learn better from different types. Additionally, we encourage you to work together, if possible, where you can, in smaller groups, discuss the deeper aspects of the course—not only the simulation skills, but rather which methods you should choose and especially why. Lastly, you will get practice through report composition and oral presentation to get closer as both the knowledge and skill that an accredited professional should have.

Show comprehensive understanding of energy efficient building concepts;

• • Gain insights into energy optimization from the perspective of sustainable development according to Building and Planning's building code in Sweden (BBR);
  • Get familiar with the simulation techniques and obtain at least the standard level using IDA ICE:

1. 1. 1. how to build a building model with several zones;
      2. how to perform a seasonal indoor climate analysis (thermal/visual comfort);
      3. how to calculate both heating and cooling loads using design day parameters;
      4. how to perform an annual overall building simulation;
      5. how to get desired outputs and interpret the results from the calculated model.

• • Attain a qualitative understanding of the thermal, visual and energy response of a building through domain boundary condition enhancement and be able to analyse and interpret your results.
  • Compare and analyze several energy-efficiency measures in the model to optimize your energy conservation scenario.
  • Practice in how to compose an Engineering Consultancy Report and Presentation to your clients.

All necessary course material, such as instructions, lecture materials, examples of old  examples etc. will be available on Canvas, which is the electronic classroom for this course. You can also use Learn to paste your questions in the forum so that the teachers can answer these questions to all the students at the same time. The teachers will also communicate with you via Learn by posting notifications regarding the course and updates in learning materials, such as changes in the schedule or useful resource linkages. You should therefore regularly check Canvas. It is necessary to register for the course to be able to get access to this Learn room.

Depending on the situation and the number of students that will be attending on campus or online, some physical tutorial time may be booked and zoom-rooms may be added. Please look at the schedule regularly to see changes that may come.

5.Course Structure

The whole course is composed of three parts: Part I Common Knowledge of Building Simulation, Part II Basic Knowledge of Building Service System for Building Simulation, and Part III Building Simulation Practices using IDA ICE. (Some slight changes might occur.)

Part I – Common Knowledge of Building Simulation

The first part aims to provide students with the basic knowledge in Building Performance Simulation (BPS) through development of BPS, common approaches to BPS calculation, how to prepare input data, which simulation strategy to select and how to carry our simulation quality assurance.

Part II – Basic Knowledge of Building Service System for Building Simulation

The second part aims to provide students with the basic knowledge framework of Energy Efficient Building Design, common knowledge in Building Service systems, PV and battery, and pre-design process practice in Energy Calculation.

Part III – Building Simulation Practices using IDA ICE

The third part aims to comprehensively combine the previously learned knowledge into practice through building performance simulation operation, gain insight into energy optimization from the perspective of sustainable development, as well as compare and analyse several energy-efficiency measures using IDA ICE software to obtain the best energy conservation scenario.

6. Course Timetable

Subscription to course calendar: https://cloud.timeedit.net/hda/web/public/ri65660Yg55193Q0g0QY6208Z765X857X6uY560yZ56Q556643Q7Zbe0nQ685Z.ics

7. Software Installation

In this course, we mainly work with IDA ICE (Indoor Climate and Energy). It is a new type of simulation tool that takes building performance to another level. It accurately models the building, its systems, and controllers – ensuring the lowest possible energy consumption and the best possible occupant comfort. The teaching version is version 4.8, while a ground-breaking advancement in version 5.1 is also available for you who want to take further challenge, especially in thesis work. Version 5.1 marks a new era in building performance simulation through 1) Indoor Climate Predictions, 2) Building as an Energy "Prosumer", and 3) Cloud High-Performance Computing Optimization. 

On-campus: please find the installed computers in B222 (30 licenses) and B207 (20 licenses)

On-line:

• • Software version 4.8: ida_ice_48_sp2_tmp.msi
  • License key: ICE50X:ED221-EB.U0J84340W (Valid to: 2024-11-30)
  • Call for Technical support  (EQUA side):  +46 8 546 20 120 Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (CET)
  • Support through Teamviewer (EQUA side)

8. Course literature

You can find out some of the attached literature resources from https://www.du.se/sv/bibliotek/, while some other professional handbook resources can be found from internet.

• • Alimohammadisagvand, B., Jokisalo, J., Kilpeläinen, S., et al. (2016). Cost-optimal thermal energy storage system for a residential building with heat pump heating and demand response control. Applied Energy , 174, p. 275-287. DOI: 10.1016 / j.apenergy.2016.04.013
  • Journal article
  • Beausoleil-Morrison, I. (2018). Learning the fundamentals of building performance simulation through an experiential teaching approach. Journal of Building Performance Simulation , 12 (3), p. 308-325. DOI: 10.1080 / 19401493.2018.1479773
  • Journal article
  • Clauß, J. & Georges, L. (2019). Model complexity of heat pump systems to investigate the building energy flexibility and guidelines for model implementation. Applied Energy , 255, ss. pp. 1138. DOI: 10.1016 / j.apenergy.2019.113847
  • Journal article
  • Cornaro, C., Puggioni, VA & Strollo, RM (2016). Dynamic simulation and on-site measurements for energy retrofit of complex historic buildings: Villa Mondragone case study. Journal of Building Engineering , 6, p. 17-28. DOI: 10.1016 / j.jobe.2016.02.001
  • Journal article
  • Hilliaho, K., Nordquist, B., Wallentèn, P., et al. (2016). Energy saving and indoor climate effects of an added glazed facade to a brick wall building: Case study. Journal of Building Engineering , 7, p. 246-262. DOI: 10.1016 / j.jobe.2016.07.004
  • Journal article
  • Hilliaho, K., Mäkitalo, E. & Lahdensivu, J. (2015). Energy saving potential of glazed space: Sensitivity analysis. Energy and Buildings , 99, p. 87-97. DOI: 10.1016 / j.enbuild.2015.04.016
  • Journal article
  • Hilliaho, K., Lahdensivu, J. & Vinha, J. (2015). Glazed space thermal simulation with IDA-ICE 4.61 software — Suitability analysis with case study. Energy and Buildings , 89, p. 132-141. DOI: 10.1016 / j.enbuild.2014.12.041
  • Journal article
  • Kauko, H., Alonso, MJ, Stavset, O., et al. (2014). Case Study on Residential Building Renovation and its Impact on the Energy Use and Thermal Comfort. Energy Procedia , 58, p. 160-165. DOI: 10.1016 / j.egypro.2014.10.423
  • Journal article
  • La Fleur, L., Moshfegh, B. & Rohdin, P. (2017). Measured and predicted energy use and indoor climate before and after a major renovation of an apartment building in Sweden. Energy and Buildings , 146, p. 98-110. DOI: 10.1016 / j.enbuild.2017.04.042
  • Journal article
  • LI, B. (2017). Use of Building Energy Simulation Software in Early-Stage of Design Process . Diss. KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Sotckholm: KTH. Available: https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1158865/FULLTEXT01.pdf .
  • Thesis
  • Liu, L., Moshfegh, B., Akander, J., et al. (2014). Comprehensive investigation on energy retrofits in eleven multi-family buildings in Sweden. Energy and Buildings , 84, p. 704-715. DOI: 10.1016 / j.enbuild.2014.08.044
  • Journal article
  • Nageler, P., Heimrath, R., Mach, T., et al. (2019). Prototype of a simulation framework for georeferenced large-scale dynamic simulations of district energy systems. Applied Energy , 252, p. pp. 1134. DOI: 10.1016 / j.apenergy.2019.113469
  • Journal article
  • Niemelä, T., Kosonen, R. & Jokisalo, J. (2016). Cost-optimal energy performance renovation measures of educational buildings in cold climate. Applied Energy , 183, p. 1005-1020. DOI: 10.1016 / j.apenergy.2016.09.044
  • Journal article
  • Petrovic, B., Myhren, JA, Zhang, X., et al. (2019). Life cycle assessment of a wooden single-family house in Sweden. Applied Energy , 251, p. pp. 115. DOI: 10.1016 / j.apenergy.2019.05.056
  • Journal article
  • Poirazis, H., Blomsterberg, Å. & Wall, M. (2008). Energy simulations for glazed office buildings in Sweden. Energy and Buildings , 40 (7), pp. 1161-1170. DOI: 10.1016 / j.enbuild.2007.10.011
  • Journal article
  • Salvalai, G. (2012). Implementation and validation of simplified heat pump model in IDA-ICE energy simulation environment. Energy and Buildings , 49, p. 132-141. DOI: 10.1016 / j.enbuild.2012.01.038
• Journal article