Glasgow-based climate tech firm, IES, has developed a new Dynamic Simulation Modelling Guide to help designers meet Scottish Futures Trust’s Net Zero Public Sector Buildings (NZPSB) Standard.
The Scottish government-approved standard aims to help public bodies meet their net zero commitments for new build and major refurbishment projects.
The Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) guide forms part of a suite of official supporting documentation, and signals an important step change in the way modelling is carried out on public sector buildings in Scotland.
Closing the ‘performance gap’
Encouraging greater modelling detail and project stakeholder collaboration, the guide aspires to move the sector away from the traditional ‘modelling for compliance’ approach, whereby models are simply created to pass building regulations.
This approach has contributed to a ‘performance gap’ between the predictions of energy use provided by designers at the design stage of a building and a building’s actual energy performance when in use.
DSM will help close this performance gap, by offering a comprehensive and detailed approach to building systems analysis – known as ‘HVAC’ modelling – to calculate ‘Operational Energy Target’ (OET) predictions.
The modelling guide, whilst primarily aimed at DSM modellers, is also written to inform all project stakeholders’ understanding of how to obtain the right level of DSM to make the necessary evidence-based decisions. This will help them meet both the Operational Energy Target as well as Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) objectives for their project.
David McEwan, director at IES, commented: “Decarbonising our built environment is becoming increasingly urgent, so we are proud to have been given the opportunity to support building designers working within the public sector to meet their net zero goals.
“However, it’s also no longer just the right thing to do. As part of the NZPSB standard, an OET is set out at the beginning of the project.
“Delivering the OET may be linked to public sector funding for the project, such that in order to receive full funding, the project would be expected to meet the energy measured in use.
“The Dynamic Simulation Modelling guide supports project teams to perform the detailed modelling required to ensure their projects meet the operational energy targets and the project is a success.”
Image credit: Evannovostro/Shutterstock
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