Advanced Energy Modeling for LEED ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------By: Nilesh Pujara - BIM Modeler @ EnergySwift Green building integrated designs consider energy performance a crucial element. The LEED system of rating acknowledges the importance of energy performance via compliance to Prerequisite 2 and Credit 1 of EA. For project teams this is quite a challenge because of complexities associated with energy modeling, reference standards, and energy codes. Understanding the documentations and requirements related to Prerequisite 2 and Credit 1 of EA helps to streamline the overall process of documentation and offers consistency. This is ideal for the reviewers as well as the applicants. Project teams can achieve Prerequisite 2 and Credit 1 of EA using the compliance path of energy performance within the rating system LEED. A requirement for such compliance path is of course exhaustive energy simulation of complete buildings for demonstration of energy saving successfully. Such savings occur over established baselines through reference standards. Methodologies outlined in reference standards emphasize on 2 energy model generations. One of these represents the minimum standard baseline building whereas the other represents proposed buildings complete with their energy enhancement designs. Project specific data varies quite significantly and in such a scenario, project teams have no other choice but to depend upon reference standards. By using it, they can make it the basis for all modeling requirements and application details. To be qualified a simulation program must explicitly model 8760 hours annually, 10+ thermal zones, and integrated control airside economizers. It should also model building design, baseline characters in keeping with reference standards along with efficiency and capacity correction curves in mechanical cooling/heating equipments. In a simulation program to be considered qualified should either directly determine proposed and code baseline use of energy or produce energy use hourly reports. It should be based on energy
source and should be ideally suited for proposed and code baseline use of energy determination using separate engine for calculation. Such a simulation program is also capable to perform calculations related to the design load and determine capacity required for HVAC equipment along with water and airflow rates. All the calculations should be in keeping with generally accepted handbooks and engineering standards related to both code baseline and proposed building designs. Simulation programs include methodologies for calculations in relation to various building components. If the simulation program is unable to model certain building components exceptional method in keeping with the requirements, remain outlined. Information garnered from simulation software is in the form of output reports that allows calculation of energy savings and completes the submittal template for LEED. Various Kinds of Output Reports are Available and include the following:
Title 24 HAP IESVE TRACE EnerSim
Another important aspect of advanced energy modeling for LEED is of course compliance path documentation. It involves a detailed procedural and technical guidance related to the process of quality control. This verifies energy savings and even describes some common errors made through Credit 1 EA applications. Some of the common mistakes occur due to referenced standard incorrect use, absence of energy saving demonstration validations and inconsistencies related to output and input of energy models. Company Address: EnergySwift Hi-Tech House B/H, V-Murti Complex, Nr. Gurukul Tower, Gurukul, Ahmedabad-380015, Gujarat, India Voice (India): +91-794-000-3252 Website: http://www.EnergySwift.com Email: info@energyswift.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Copyright © 2014 by EnergySwift - All Rights Reserved.