E04 - INTEGRATED ENERGY EVALUATION (I)

About this course

The course "E04 – Integrated Energy Evaluation (I)" explains how to convert an Archicad BIM model into a Building Energy Model (BEM) using the energy evaluation functions built into the programme. Students will learn the fundamentals of sustainable design, the definition of thermal blocks from zones, the input of climate data, operation profiles and building systems, and the simulation of thermal bridges and the solar analysis of openings. The additional functions provided by the EcoDesigner STAR add-on are also shown.

Course details

This course is aimed at architects and building professionals who use Archicad and wish to evaluate the energy performance of their projects directly from the BIM model, as a tool to support design decisions. The first lesson reviews the principles of sustainable design, the factors controlled by the designer, and the BIM–BEM workflow in Archicad, with its stages, inputs, simulation engine and export formats. The second lesson applies this workflow in practice: setting up zones, assigning them to thermal blocks in the Energy Model Review palette, reviewing structures and openings, adjustments to location, climate, terrain, wind and sun protection, operation profiles, building systems, energy sources and costs, thermal bridge simulation and solar analysis of openings. The course assumes prior knowledge of working with zones, layer combinations and construction details in Archicad. As explained in the course, the energy evaluation functions are included in Archicad, while the full performance analysis and functions such as thermal bridge simulation belong to the EcoDesigner STAR add-on, which requires an additional licence.

Learning goals

• Understand the principles of sustainable design and the design factors that the designer controls in the building's energy efficiency.
• Distinguish the energy evaluation functions included in Archicad from those provided by the EcoDesigner STAR add-on.
• Convert the BIM model into an energy model by assigning correctly configured zones to thermal blocks.
• Use the Energy Model Review palette and its tabs for thermal blocks, structures and openings.
• Enter the location, climate data and adjustments for terrain, surroundings, wind and sun protection for the project.
• Define operation profiles, building systems and energy source and cost factors.
• Run a thermal bridge simulation from a construction detail and incorporate it into the corresponding thermal block.
• Interpret the solar analysis of openings and the effect of overhangs and sun protection.

Curriculum