On-line simulation of building energy processes: Need and research requirements

Most building energy simulation software offers significant building energy performance capabilities; however, its use is limited to design phase only. There is significant benefit to have these energy simulation models available during operation phase for detection and diagnostics. Since simulation models and real building states are not coupled, the models are initialized in an empty state or run through a warm-up period (i.e., off-line simulation). This paper develops the need and research requirements for on-line simulation of building energy processes where current state variables obtained from sensors and meters in buildings are used to initialize the model. Based on the simulation results, a new corrective decision is made and implemented in the real process. This paper argues that on-line simulation can provide decision makers with reliable energy models to test different technical and behavioral interventions, and improve predictions of building performance, compared to the results obtained with existing off-line models.