Developing a BIM-based methodology to support renewable energy assessment of buildings

Gupta, Apeksha 2013. Developing a BIM-based methodology to support renewable energy assessment of buildings. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Realising the benefits of implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools and processes on projects worldwide, the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is rapidly moving towards BIM adoption. This calls for higher levels of interoperability amongst existing design and analysis tools used by various project team members. An approach to achieving higher levels of BIM maturity and interoperability is to adopt open, non-proprietary data exchange standards such as the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). Efforts are currently underway to establish IFC-compliance in analysis tools. Establishing interoperability between architectural BIM models and energy analysis tools has been a challenging effort. With the industry chasing renewable energy targets for existing and new building stock, it becomes imperative to incorporate analysis tools for renewable energy systems (RES) in this effort. A plethora of tools are used by the project team to assess the performance of various RES in existing buildings or in post-design stages of new buildings. A holistic RES simulation tool is required that can assess various RES and their impact on the building’s energy consumption, carbon emissions and operational costs. Developing this tool’s interoperability with architectural BIM models would lead to higher adoption. The aim of this thesis is to develop a methodology to support renewable energy simulation by using architectural BIM models based on open data exchange standards thereby enhancing their interoperability. The research process involved a literature review of the existing RES analysis methods and approaches of developing IFC-compliant analysis tools. A methodology was developed that involved a standardised conceptual framework that can be used to establish compliance in RES analysis tools with open-data exchange schemas. The conceptual framework was implemented in a solar PV simulation model by means of a prototype. The prototype was validated against existing PV analysis tools and presented to industry experts to gain their feedback. It was concluded that the tool supported RES assessment of buildings in early design stages and could be widely adopted as a BIM tool by the AEC industry.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TH Building construction
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Building Inofrmation Modelling (BIM); Renewable energy; Interoperability; Methodology; Protoype; Renewbim
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2016 23:27
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/52917

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