Researchers to Create Simulation Design Tools for Low Energy Buildings

Aug 27, 2018

Carleton University in Ottawa has received $350,750 from Natural Resources Canada to study and model occupant behavioural patterns, with a goal to better predict building energy consumption and find new methods to reduce it.

The project will develop methods and recommendations to advance building occupant modelling practice from a primarily research-oriented status to common building simulation-supported design practice and building codes. The focus is on commercial and institutional buildings, though the findings can be mostly generalized to residential buildings. 

The ultimate long-term objective is to help the Canadian construction industry to design buildings that

• are more comfortable and productive environments
• use less energy and emit lower greenhouse gas emissions as a result of better informed decision-making
• have higher performance certainty with regards to occupants, particularly in the context of net-zero energy buildings and other buildings with absolute energy targets.
These goals would be achieved by
• requiring more detailed and appropriate occupant modelling in the Canadian building code
• building simulation tools to incorporate appropriate occupant modelling and the corresponding challenges (e.g., uncertainty)
• producing Canadian building stock that achieves much higher performance in terms of energy, comfort, productivity, usability, and are better able to adapt and perform well in partial occupancy

Buildings and homes contribute 17% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. The federal government is working with provinces, territories and industry on energy code development, data sharing, research and development, and market transformation strategies for the building sector.

Find out more: www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/funding/current-funding-programs/eii/21308