Sustainable buildings

The EMIB research group has extended expertise in state-of-the-art dynamic building performance simulations. With these tools we can model the occupant thermal comfort and energy performance of buildings under various scenarios with high precision using short time steps (up to yearly simulations with a one minute time step).

Internally developed tools and datasets enhance the modeling capabilities and allow to perform optimisation studies.

Some key aspects of our expertise include:

1. Modeling of dynamic energy storage in building materials and the impacts on occupant thermal comfort. This includes the analysis of conventional thermal mass as well as the application of phase change materials (PCMs) in building applications. We explicitly account for active control strategies by the building occupants (e.g. window opening behaviour) to generate realistic usage scenarios.
2. Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS). We focus on integrating advanced building automation and control systems into our simulations. This includes modeling the control of HVAC systems, lighting controls, shading devices, and other components that influence building performance and energy usage. This knowledge is integrated into models that express the costs and benefits of building automation systems  throughout their functional life time.
3. Understanding and modeling of occupant behaviour, especially with regards to occupant-building interactions in both residential and non-residential buildings. The intricate dynamics of occupant behavior within built environments affect energy use and comfort. A thorough understanding is needed, e.g. to generate a realistic reference scenario to benchmark automated control strategies to. Our research  meticulously crafts models and datasets considering factors such as occupancy patterns, comfort preferences, and adaptive behaviors.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration and rigorous research methodologies, we aim to create healthier, more efficient, and sustainable buildings for future generations. Whether you are an academic researcher, industry professional, or policymaker, we offer valuable insights and resources to support your objectives.