IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v14y2021i20p6707-d657461.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Basic Principles, Most Common Computational Tools, and Capabilities for Building Energy and Urban Microclimate Simulations

Author

Listed:
  • George M. Stavrakakis

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU), Estavromenos, GR-71410 Heraklion, Greece
    MES Energy S.A., 67 Aeolou Str., GR-10559 Athens, Greece)

  • Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU), Estavromenos, GR-71410 Heraklion, Greece)

  • Markos Damasiotis

    (Division of Development Programmes, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES), 19th km Marathonos Av., GR-19009 Pikermi, Greece)

Abstract

This paper presents basic principles of built-environment physics’ modelling, and it reviews common computational tools and capabilities in a scope of practical design approaches for retrofitting purposes. Well-established simulation models and methods, with applications found mainly in the international scientific literature, are described by means of strengths and weaknesses as regards related tools’ availability, easiness to use, and reliability towards the determination of the optimal blends of retrofit measures for building energy upgrading and Urban Heat Island (UHI) mitigation. The various characteristics of computational approaches are listed and collated by means of comparison among the principal modelling methods as well as among the respective computational tools that may be used for simulation and decision-making purposes. Insights of coupling between building energy and urban microclimate models are also presented. The main goal was to provide a comprehensive overview of available simulation methods that can be used at the early design stages for planning retrofitting strategies and guiding engineers and technical professionals through the simulation tools’ options oriented to the considered case study.

Suggested Citation

  • George M. Stavrakakis & Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis & Markos Damasiotis, 2021. "Basic Principles, Most Common Computational Tools, and Capabilities for Building Energy and Urban Microclimate Simulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-41, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:20:p:6707-:d:657461
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/20/6707/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/20/6707/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Abanda, F.H. & Byers, L., 2016. "An investigation of the impact of building orientation on energy consumption in a domestic building using emerging BIM (Building Information Modelling)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 517-527.
    2. Xunzhi Yin & Jiaqi Yu & Qi Dong & Yongheng Jia & Cheng Sun, 2020. "Energy Sustainability of Rural Residential Buildings with Bio-Based Building Fabric in Northeast China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Alessandra Battisti, 2020. "Bioclimatic Architecture and Urban Morphology. Studies on Intermediate Urban Open Spaces," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Joanna Ferdyn-Grygierek & Dorota Bartosz & Aleksandra Specjał & Krzysztof Grygierek, 2018. "Analysis of Accuracy Determination of the Seasonal Heat Demand in Buildings Based on Short Measurement Periods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-19, October.
    5. Mahmud, Khizir & Amin, Uzma & Hossain, M.J. & Ravishankar, Jayashri, 2018. "Computational tools for design, analysis, and management of residential energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 535-556.
    6. Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin & José-Manuel del-Río & Fernando del Ama Gonzalo & Roberto-Alonso Gonzalez-Lezcano, 2020. "The Relationship between the Use of Building Performance Simulation Tools by Recent Graduate Architects and the Deficiencies in Architectural Education," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-20, March.
    7. Valentina Bonetti & Georgios Kokogiannakis, 2017. "Dynamic Exergy Analysis for the Thermal Storage Optimization of the Building Envelope," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-19, January.
    8. Bo Rang Park & Jongin Hong & Eun Ji Choi & Young Jae Choi & Choonyeob Lee & Jin Woo Moon, 2019. "Improvement in Energy Performance of Building Envelope Incorporating Electrochromic Windows (ECWs)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, March.
    9. Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis & Georgios Zidianakis & Yiannis Yiannakoudakis & Evaggelos Manioudakis & Irini Dakanali & Spyros Kanouras, 2020. "Working on Buildings’ Energy Performance Upgrade in Mediterranean Climate," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-28, May.
    10. Li, Xiaoma & Zhou, Yuyu & Yu, Sha & Jia, Gensuo & Li, Huidong & Li, Wenliang, 2019. "Urban heat island impacts on building energy consumption: A review of approaches and findings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 407-419.
    11. Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis, 2020. "Computational Simulation and Dimensioning of Solar-Combi Systems for Large-Size Sports Facilities: A Case Study for the Pancretan Stadium, Crete, Greece," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-30, May.
    12. Kee Han Kim & John Kie-Whan Oh & WoonSeong Jeong, 2016. "Study on Solar Radiation Models in South Korea for Improving Office Building Energy Performance Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-14, June.
    13. Víctor Pérez-Andreu & Carolina Aparicio-Fernández & José-Luis Vivancos & Javier Cárcel-Carrasco, 2021. "Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Typical Mediterranean House," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-14, June.
    14. Goia, Francesco & Haase, Matthias & Perino, Marco, 2013. "Optimizing the configuration of a façade module for office buildings by means of integrated thermal and lighting simulations in a total energy perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 515-527.
    15. Ka-Ming Wai & Lei Xiao & Tanya Zheng Tan, 2021. "Improvement of the Outdoor Thermal Comfort by Water Spraying in a High-Density Urban Environment under the Influence of a Future (2050) Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-13, July.
    16. Mohadeseh Seyednezhad & Hamidreza Najafi, 2021. "Solar-Powered Thermoelectric-Based Cooling and Heating System for Building Applications: A Parametric Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, September.
    17. Cibele Eller & Mohamad Rida & Katharina Boudier & Caio Otoni & Gabriela Celani & Lucila Labaki & Sabine Hoffmann, 2021. "Climate-Based Analysis for the Potential Use of Coconut Oil as Phase Change Material in Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-20, September.
    18. Nguyen, Anh-Tuan & Reiter, Sigrid & Rigo, Philippe, 2014. "A review on simulation-based optimization methods applied to building performance analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1043-1058.
    19. Mehrdad Rabani & Habtamu Bayera Madessa & Natasa Nord, 2021. "Building Retrofitting through Coupling of Building Energy Simulation-Optimization Tool with CFD and Daylight Programs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-23, April.
    20. Stephan, Louis & Bastide, Alain & Wurtz, Etienne, 2011. "Optimizing opening dimensions for naturally ventilated buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(8), pages 2791-2801, August.
    21. Miae Seong & Cheolsoo Lim & Jaehyun Lim & Jaewan Park, 2021. "A Study on the Status and Thermal Environment Improvement of Ceiling-Embedded Indoor Cooling and Heating Unit," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.
    22. Lilliana L.H. Peng & C. Y. Jim, 2013. "Green-Roof Effects on Neighborhood Microclimate and Human Thermal Sensation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-21, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Nikolaos Papadakis & Dimitrios Al. Katsaprakakis, 2023. "A Review of Energy Efficiency Interventions in Public Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-34, August.
    2. Zhengrong Li & Yang Si & Qun Zhao & Xiwen Feng, 2023. "A New Method of Building Envelope Thermal Performance Evaluation Considering Window–Wall Correlation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-25, October.
    3. George M. Stavrakakis & Dimitris A. Katsaprakakis & Konstantinos Braimakis, 2023. "A Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling Approach for the Numerical Verification of the Bioclimatic Design of a Public Urban Area in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-27, July.
    4. Dimitris A. Katsaprakakis & Nikos Papadakis & Efi Giannopoulou & Yiannis Yiannakoudakis & George Zidianakis & Michalis Kalogerakis & George Katzagiannakis & Eirini Dakanali & George M. Stavrakakis & A, 2023. "Rational Use of Energy in Sports Centres to Achieve Net Zero: The SAVE Project (Part A)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-41, May.
    5. Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis & Nikos Papadakis & Efi Giannopoulou & Yiannis Yiannakoudakis & George Zidianakis & George Katzagiannakis & Eirini Dakanali & George M. Stavrakakis & Avraam Kartalidis, 2023. "Rational Use of Energy in Sport Centers to Achieving Net Zero—The SAVE Project (Part B: Indoor Sports Hall)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-42, October.
    6. Komi Bernard Bedra & Bohong Zheng & Jiayu Li & Xi Luo, 2023. "A Parametric-Simulation Method to Study the Interconnections between Urban-Street-Morphology Indicators and Their Effects on Pedestrian Thermal Comfort in Tropical Summer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, May.
    7. Talha Batuhan Korkut & Ahmed Rachid, 2024. "Numerical Investigation of Interventions to Mitigate Heat Stress: A Case Study in Dubai," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-17, May.
    8. Säwén, Toivo & Sasic Kalagasidis, Angela & Hollberg, Alexander, 2024. "Critical perspectives on life cycle building performance assessment tool reviews," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    9. Komi Bernard Bedra & Jian Zheng & Jiayu Li & Zhaoqian Sun & Bohong Zheng, 2023. "Automating Microclimate Evaluation and Optimization during Urban Design: A Rhino–Grasshopper Workflow," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-26, December.
    10. Dimitrios Tziritas & George M. Stavrakakis & Dimitris Bakirtzis & George Kaplanis & Konstantinos Patlitzianas & Markos Damasiotis & Panagiotis L. Zervas, 2023. "Techno-Economic Analysis of a Hydrogen-Based Power Supply Backup System for Tertiary Sector Buildings: A Case Study in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-23, May.
    11. George M. Stavrakakis & Panagiotis L. Zervas & Konstantinos Terzis & Panagiotis Langouranis & Panagiota Saranti & Yorgos J. Stephanedes, 2023. "Exploitation of Mediterranean Cooperation Projects’ Tools for the Development of Public Buildings’ Energy Efficiency Plans at Local Level: A Case Study in Greece," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-33, April.
    12. Alberto Barbaresi & Mattia Ceccarelli & Giulia Menichetti & Daniele Torreggiani & Patrizia Tassinari & Marco Bovo, 2022. "Application of Machine Learning Models for Fast and Accurate Predictions of Building Energy Need," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, February.
    13. Márcia Matias & Sara Lopes & António Lopes, 2023. "The Climate of My Neighborhood: Households’ Willingness to Adapt to Urban Climate Change," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-18, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fernandes, Marco S. & Rodrigues, Eugénio & Gaspar, Adélio Rodrigues & Costa, José J. & Gomes, Álvaro, 2019. "The impact of thermal transmittance variation on building design in the Mediterranean region," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 581-597.
    2. Favoino, Fabio & Fiorito, Francesco & Cannavale, Alessandro & Ranzi, Gianluca & Overend, Mauro, 2016. "Optimal control and performance of photovoltachromic switchable glazing for building integration in temperate climates," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 943-961.
    3. Huan Zhang & Yajie Wang & Xianze Liu & Fujing Wan & Wandong Zheng, 2024. "Multi-Objective Optimization with Active–Passive Technology Synergy for Rural Residences in Northern China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-25, March.
    4. Babak Raji & Martin J. Tenpierik & Andy Van den Dobbelsteen, 2017. "Early-Stage Design Considerations for the Energy-Efficiency of High-Rise Office Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-28, April.
    5. Dimitris A. Katsaprakakis & Nikos Papadakis & Efi Giannopoulou & Yiannis Yiannakoudakis & George Zidianakis & Michalis Kalogerakis & George Katzagiannakis & Eirini Dakanali & George M. Stavrakakis & A, 2023. "Rational Use of Energy in Sports Centres to Achieve Net Zero: The SAVE Project (Part A)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-41, May.
    6. Méndez Echenagucia, Tomás & Capozzoli, Alfonso & Cascone, Ylenia & Sassone, Mario, 2015. "The early design stage of a building envelope: Multi-objective search through heating, cooling and lighting energy performance analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 577-591.
    7. Sanhudo, Luís & Ramos, Nuno M.M. & Poças Martins, João & Almeida, Ricardo M.S.F. & Barreira, Eva & Simões, M. Lurdes & Cardoso, Vítor, 2018. "Building information modeling for energy retrofitting – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 249-260.
    8. Favoino, Fabio & Overend, Mauro & Jin, Qian, 2015. "The optimal thermo-optical properties and energy saving potential of adaptive glazing technologies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 1-15.
    9. Kotarela, Faidra & Kyritsis, Anastasios & Agathokleous, Rafaela & Papanikolaou, Nick, 2023. "On the exploitation of dynamic simulations for the design of buildings energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    10. Benedek Kiss & Jose Dinis Silvestre & Rita Andrade Santos & Zsuzsa Szalay, 2021. "Environmental and Economic Optimisation of Buildings in Portugal and Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-19, December.
    11. Jinhui Ma & Haijing Huang & Mingxi Peng & Yihuan Zhou, 2024. "Investigating the Heterogeneity Effects of Urban Morphology on Building Energy Consumption from a Spatio-Temporal Perspective Using Old Residential Buildings on a University Campus," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-24, October.
    12. Guariso, Giorgio & Sangiorgio, Matteo, 2019. "Multi-objective planning of building stock renovation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 101-110.
    13. Sun, Alexander Y., 2020. "Optimal carbon storage reservoir management through deep reinforcement learning," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    14. Giacomo Chiesa & Andrea Acquaviva & Mario Grosso & Lorenzo Bottaccioli & Maurizio Floridia & Edoardo Pristeri & Edoardo Maria Sanna, 2019. "Parametric Optimization of Window-to-Wall Ratio for Passive Buildings Adopting A Scripting Methodology to Dynamic-Energy Simulation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-30, May.
    15. Waibel, Christoph & Evins, Ralph & Carmeliet, Jan, 2019. "Co-simulation and optimization of building geometry and multi-energy systems: Interdependencies in energy supply, energy demand and solar potentials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 1661-1682.
    16. Kokaraki, Nikoleta & Hopfe, Christina J. & Robinson, Elaine & Nikolaidou, Elli, 2019. "Testing the reliability of deterministic multi-criteria decision-making methods using building performance simulation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 991-1007.
    17. Gao, Datong & Zhao, Bin & Kwan, Trevor Hocksun & Hao, Yong & Pei, Gang, 2022. "The spatial and temporal mismatch phenomenon in solar space heating applications: status and solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    18. Ascione, Fabrizio & De Masi, Rosa Francesca & de Rossi, Filippo & Ruggiero, Silvia & Vanoli, Giuseppe Peter, 2016. "Optimization of building envelope design for nZEBs in Mediterranean climate: Performance analysis of residential case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 938-957.
    19. Zhikun Ding & Rongsheng Liu & Zongjie Li & Cheng Fan, 2020. "A Thematic Network-Based Methodology for the Research Trend Identification in Building Energy Management," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-33, September.
    20. Tian, Wei & Song, Jitian & Li, Zhanyong & de Wilde, Pieter, 2014. "Bootstrap techniques for sensitivity analysis and model selection in building thermal performance analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 320-328.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:20:p:6707-:d:657461. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.