Building Energy Modeling

Building Energy Modeling (BEM) uses physics-based simulation to predict how much energy a building consumes for heating, cooling, lighting, and other operations based on its geometry, construction materials, mechanical systems, occupancy patterns, and local climate. Tools like EnergyPlus, eQUEST, and IESVE simulate hourly energy flows through building envelopes and systems to evaluate design alternatives, forecast energy costs, and identify efficiency opportunities. GISGISGeographic Information Systems (GIS) enable users to analyze and visualize spatial data to uncover patterns, relation... integration extends BEM from individual buildings to city-wide analysis by combining building footprintBuilding FootprintA Building Footprint is the outline of a building as seen from directly above, representing the area of ground it occ... data, 3D models from LiDARLiDARLight Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing technology that measures distances using laser pulses to crea..., construction era estimates, and local weather data to create Urban Building Energy Models (UBEMs). These models estimate energy consumption across thousands of buildings simultaneously, revealing spatial patterns of energy use and identifying neighborhoods with the greatest retrofit potential. Applications include building code compliance verification, retrofit prioritization for energy efficiency programs, district energy system planning, and greenhouse gas inventory development. Cities use UBEM results to target weatherization incentives, plan distributed energy resources, and track progress toward climate action plan goals. Real estate developers use BEM to optimize building design for energy performance and green building certifications like LEED and ENERGY STAR.