The use of digital models in the energy simulation of buildings is a key tool to evaluate and optimise their thermal performance and energy consumption. The study ‘Modelling of the 5N building of the ETSII by generating input data files (IDF) for energy simulation’, carried out by Lidia Royuela Mancebo at the Universitat Politècnica de València, focuses on the creation of a digital model of the 5N building of the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Industrial (ETSII). This building is a test bed within the LivingLab ETSII 5N, a project designed to advance decarbonisation and energy efficiency in the Vera campus of the UPV.
Methodology and Model Development
For the construction of the three-dimensional model of the building, SketchUp has been used, software that allows the creation of detailed digital representations with all the geometric information of the building and its spatial distribution. To guarantee its interoperability with energy simulation programmes, IDF (Input Data File) files were generated, which are necessary for its integration in TRNSYS, a software widely used in the thermal simulation of buildings.
The methodological process included:
3D model survey in SketchUp based on architectural plans and on-site measurements.
Definition of thermal zones according to their function and orientation.
Generation of IDF files for energy analysis in TRNSYS.
Validation of the model by means of preliminary simulations focused on the evaluation of interior temperatures and the thermal efficiency of the building.
Results and Energy Analysis
The energy model generated in TRNSYS allowed an initial assessment of the energy demand of the building under different operating conditions. One of the most relevant findings is that 70% of the building’s total electricity consumption is due to its air conditioning system, which underlines the need for energy efficiency strategies. In addition, the study identified that the building’s orientation favours the entry of natural light, optimising illumination and reducing energy consumption.
Simplifications applied in the model include:
The grouping of bathrooms into a single thermal zone per floor.
The consolidation of the hall and stairs as a single thermal volume.
The modelling of the basement as an independent space.
These adjustments have improved the efficiency of the model without compromising the accuracy of the results.
Future Applications and Perspectives
The developed model lays the foundation for future research in the field of energy efficiency in educational buildings. The integration of this model in the LivingLab ETSII 5N will allow the analysis of optimisation strategies in energy management, the incorporation of renewable energies and the implementation of passive measures to improve thermal comfort. In addition, the study highlights the importance of improving interoperability between BIM and BEM tools to facilitate the energy simulation of buildings in urban sustainability projects.
This work demonstrates the usefulness of energy modelling as a tool for analysis and optimisation in the management of educational buildings, consolidating its role in the transition towards more sustainable and efficient university campuses.
