Building Performance Optimization of Net Zero-Energy Buildings - Modeling, Design, and Optimization of Net-Zero Energy Buildings - page 259

- Difficulty of problem definition (objectives arrangement, constraint
violation) (12)
- Lack of software environments integrating and linking simulation and
optimization seamlessly (16)
- Low interoperability and flexibility of models for exchange between
different design, construction, simulation, cost estimation, and
optimization tools (11)
- Lack of environment with friendly GUI allowing postprocessing and
visualization techniques (7).
The interviewees agreed that computation time is very long and this may
inhibit the initial take-up of optimization in practice. The optimization
process also magnifies the idea of “rubbish-in-rubbish-out” since rather
than simulate a single design solution, the errors or inaccuracies in a
simulation are exposed across a wide range of the design space. This may
lead to a need for better education and improved user interfaces for
simulation, as well as more work on the uncertainty associated with
simulation models.
According to the interviewees, BPO has been applied successfully in
numerous Net ZEB projects. However, the building simulation community
stillrarelyusesoptimizationandlittleinvestmenthasbeenmadetoadvance
BPO. Interviewees indicated that many opportunities exist in integrating
simulation-based BPO in Net ZEB design and operation. The most
mentioned opportunities include the following:
- Supporting the decision making for Net ZEB design . Many elements,
including government policy that pushes the design of low-energy
buildings, have driven the rise of building performance simulation. At
present, any increase in the use of optimization will be driven by the
extent to which it aids design decision making. In this respect, one of
the most powerful forms is multi-objective optimization, since it gives a
set of solutions that lie on the trade-off between two or more conflicting
design objectives. The trade-off can be used to explore the impact of less
capital investment on the increase in carbon emissions. This kind of
information is useful in decision making of Net ZEB, requires little
effort, and generates different ideas and alternatives.
- Designing innovative integrated Net ZEBs with smart and efficient
thermal (and visual) comfort control systems is difficult to achieve