Co-simulation and optimization of building geometry and multi-energy systems: Interdependencies in energy supply, energy demand and solar potentials

This paper presents a co-simulation framework for the simultaneous optimization of building geometries and multi-energy systems using the energy hub approach. The rationale for such coupling is that building geometry has an impact on energy demands and solar potentials on roofs and façades, thus also altering the corresponding optimal energy system. As a demonstration of this approach, we formulate bi-objective optimization problems for minimizing operational cost and carbon emissions, with decision variables for building geometry and for selection and sizing of energy system technologies. The methodology is applied to a case study in the city of Zurich, Switzerland, involving four office buildings. Different carbon emissions targets are studied to show the impact on cost, densities, sizing of the multi-energy system, and architectural design implications. Results for this case study show a clear relation between emissions targets and densities due to available solar potentials for renewable energy generation, with an optimal density in the strictest emissions target reaching only 10% of the optimal density without emissions target. This indicates that differentiated environmental targets should be defined depending on the location of a building, where rural sites could have stricter targets than dense urban sites to reflect the respective marginal costs for achieving the targets. Our study shows that coupling multiple simulators into a common optimization and design workflow brings together architectural aspects, such as geometry, with engineering aspects, such as the energy system design, and microclimate conditions, such as local solar potentials. Thus, essential interdependencies between the energy supply and demand side can be captured in the design of energy efficient cities.