Advisor: Elisa Sotelino
Dissertation: Discussion of the possibilities to achieve a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) using the BIM approach
Defense date: 16/03/2020
Abstract
An architecture that requires a huge energy demand goes against the concept
of a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB). Research on the subject indicates that
high performing buildings can be achieved with an integrated design that combines
energy efficiency strategies, such as high performing glass, with photovoltaic
energy (PV). The Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology can
incorporate Building Performance (BP) analysis to support decision making of an
integrated design, which is considered essential to achieve a successful NZEB. The
present investigation includes a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) that guided
the research. Based on the SLR, an Information Delivery Manual was developed
that propose a new workflow in which the energy studies are performed in the early
stages of design to achieve more energy efficient projects and take advantage of the
collaboration intrinsic to the BIM methodology. Lastly, a hypothetical experiment
of a commercial building is presented to illustrate the workflow proposed in the
developed IDM. The Autodesk Revit software was used to model the building and
the energy computer simulation was performed in the DesignBuilder software. It
was found that for these two software tools to be interoperable, the model had to be
exported from Revit in gbXML format. The design options in the experiment were
based on window-to-wall ratio (30%, 50% and 100%), on the adopted glass, and on
the photovoltaic system. The economic feasibility analysis was performed based in
the Net Present Value (NPV) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The results
indicated that the use of the north facade for PV production combining with the PV
roof system provided a nearly zero energy balance in most of the cases. Finally, all
cases analyzed had a payback time of less than the PV module manufacturer
guarantee (25 years), except for the case with 100% window-to-wall ratio and PV
Glass in the north facade.