Paper 5
Predicting
Operational Energy Consumption Profiles - Findings from Detailed Surveys
and Modelling in a
UK
Educational Building
Compared to Measured Consumption
I
Knight1, S Stravoravdis1 and
S Lasvaux2
1Welsh
School
of
Architecture
,
Cardiff University
,
UK
2INSA
de Toulouse
,
France
Abstract
This paper presents the preliminary findings from the first stage of a
physical survey and modelling case study conducted to obtain modelled and
actual energy consumption profiles for a UK multi-storey mixed use
educational building (the Bute building at the University of Wales,
Cardiff). The purpose of the study is to provide an insight into how
accurately current models and software can predict the actual energy
consumption in such a building, with a view to informing the development
of operational and asset ratings for buildings in the EU as part of the
Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) Article 7 requirements.
The models used in this study were the software tool ECOTECT and the SBEM
(Simplified Building Energy Methodology) version of the
UK
’s national calculation methodology. The study also briefly discusses
the potential problems inherent in the use of modelling techniques for
assessing the energy performance of buildings.
The data obtained through this study enabled predicted energy consumption
profiles for both heating/cooling and electrical energy use to be
obtained, as well as a UK SBEM asset-type compliance rating. The predicted
profiles and compliance rating were then compared to the monitored actual
energy consumption profiles obtained over the same period. It was seen
that the various modelling approaches gave a reasonable prediction of the
gas consumption and a reasonable estimate of the electrical consumption
using the SBEM. However, overall it was felt that further case studies
would need to be tested to have any confidence in these findings. The
relative agreement between the SBEM results in this case study and the
measured consumption supports the view that for prediction of electrical
consumption then statistically derived numbers, such as benchmarks, are
likely to enable reasonably confident predictions of energy use by generic
activity type.
Key words: predicted
energy use, measured energy use, SBEM, EPBD, ECOTECT, operational ratings,
asset ratings, educational buildings.
References
EPBD: (2002). “EU
Directive 2002/91/EC Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (includes
PG-N37 Standards supporting the Energy Performance of Buildings
Directive)”, European Union.
ECOTECT: www.squ1.com –
accessed 20th July 2007
SBEM: www.ncm.bre.co.uk
– accessed 20th July 2007 |
