Comparative Study of Building Energy Simulation Software Applied to Research Projects. Cases of Study in Spain and Portugal
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2023Subject/s
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Abstract
Architecture, Engineering and Construction are currently undergoing an energy-digital transition towards a decarbonised and sustainable scene. Energy assessment of buildings through Building Energy Modelling tools allows for in-depth analyses for energy optimization and establishing quantitative proposals for building improvement. This paper shows a comparative study of three programs used for energy simulation of buildings: TRNSYS, HULC and SG SAVE. They have been applied to four Research and Development (R&D) Projects: the energy assessment of a hospital, the energy behaviour of two partially recycled construction materials, and the cost-effectiveness study of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy at the district level, to validate their handling, precision, and result reliability. The comparative assessment shows SG SAVE is the best-valued software: it is free and easy to use, complies with the Spanish energy regulations more easily than HULC, and along with Open Studio makes complex calculations similar to TRNSYS.
Architecture, Engineering and Construction are currently undergoing an energy-digital transition towards a decarbonised and sustainable scene. Energy assessment of buildings through Building Energy Modelling tools allows for in-depth analyses for energy optimization and establishing quantitative proposals for building improvement. This paper shows a comparative study of three programs used for energy simulation of buildings: TRNSYS, HULC and SG SAVE. They have been applied to four Research and Development (R&D) Projects: the energy assessment of a hospital, the energy behaviour of two partially recycled construction materials, and the cost-effectiveness study of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy at the district level, to validate their handling, precision, and result reliability. The comparative assessment shows SG SAVE is the best-valued software: it is free and easy to use, complies with the Spanish energy regulations more easily than HULC, and along with Open Studio makes complex calculations similar to TRNSYS.
