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Integrating Occupant Behaviour into Urban-Building Energy Modelling: A Review of Current Practices and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Alessia Banfi

    (Energy Department, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milano, Italy)

  • Martina Ferrando

    (Energy Department, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milano, Italy)

  • Peixian Li

    (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, No. 1239 Si Ping Road, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Xing Shi

    (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, No. 1239 Si Ping Road, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Francesco Causone

    (Energy Department, Politecnico di Milano, Via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milano, Italy)

Abstract

Urban-Building Energy Modelling (UBEM) tools play a crucial role in analysing and optimizing energy use within cities. Among the available approaches, the bottom-up physics-based one is the most versatile for urban development and management applications. However, their accuracy is often limited by the inability to capture the dynamic impact of occupants’ presence and actions (i.e., Occupant Behaviour) on building energy use patterns. While recent research has explored advanced Occupant Behaviour (OB) modelling techniques that incorporate stochasticity and contextual influences, current UBEM practices primarily rely on static occupant profiles, due to limitations in the software itself. This paper addresses this topic by conducting a thorough literature review to examine existing OB modelling techniques, data sources, key features and detailed information that could enhance UBEM simulations. Furthermore, the flexibility of available UBEM tools for integrating advanced OB models will be assessed, along with the identification of areas for improvement. The findings of this review are intended to guide researchers and tool developers towards creating more robust and occupant-centric urban energy simulations.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessia Banfi & Martina Ferrando & Peixian Li & Xing Shi & Francesco Causone, 2024. "Integrating Occupant Behaviour into Urban-Building Energy Modelling: A Review of Current Practices and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-28, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:17:p:4400-:d:1470091
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Azar, Elie & Nikolopoulou, Christina & Papadopoulos, Sokratis, 2016. "Integrating and optimizing metrics of sustainable building performance using human-focused agent-based modeling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 926-937.
    2. Wu, Wenbo & Dong, Bing & Wang, Qi (Ryan) & Kong, Meng & Yan, Da & An, Jingjing & Liu, Yapan, 2020. "A novel mobility-based approach to derive urban-scale building occupant profiles and analyze impacts on building energy consumption," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    3. Dong, Bing & Liu, Yapan & Fontenot, Hannah & Ouf, Mohamed & Osman, Mohamed & Chong, Adrian & Qin, Shuxu & Salim, Flora & Xue, Hao & Yan, Da & Jin, Yuan & Han, Mengjie & Zhang, Xingxing & Azar, Elie & , 2021. "Occupant behavior modeling methods for resilient building design, operation and policy at urban scale: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
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