Development and calibration of apartment building energy model based on architectural and energy consumption characteristics

Building energy modeling is pivotal in achieving sustainable energy goals throughout a building's design and operation. However, discrepancies often arise between actual energy consumption and predictions made by building energy models due to uncertainties in input parameters. This study addresses this challenge by calibrating building energy modeling with empirical data, focusing on apartment buildings in South Korea. Specifically, it targets public and lease apartments, which is crucial in attaining Zero Energy Building (ZEB) ratings. This study develops an apartment building model based on architectural design and energy use patterns, employing the whole building energy simulation tool, EnergyPlus. Key calibration elements were identified through systematic literature reviews, statistical analysis, architectural drawings, and monitoring data. The calibrated model achieved a prediction error of 2.7 % and a CV(RMSE) of 9.4 %, closely mirroring actual measurements. This was particularly influenced by using realistic occupancy schedules instead of generic ones. The results provide valuable insights for refining the residential building energy modeling process, especially in the context of ZEB goals. The study underscores the importance of accurate data collection and model calibration in bridging the gap between theoretical models and real-world energy consumption.