Building energy analysis : contribution of BIM methodology for sustainability in the energy optimization of buildings

Abstract

This work results from research activities within the scope of the Master’s Thesis in Sustainable Construction and Rehabilitation proceeding in the University of Minho, as well as the professional experience developed over the years as an architect. Currently there is a growing awareness and concern about climate change resulting from increased CO2 emissions in recent decades, leading governmental institutions and the general public to demand buildings that are more sustainable and energy efficient. The demand for high levels of energy efficiency that enable a reduction of primary energy consumption and therefore lower CO2 emissions, imposed by European and national legislation, as well as the implementation of the new concept of NZEB to all buildings in Europe until 2020, forces the need for AEC industry to adopt processes of interdisciplinary analysis that are more coordinated and integrated with each other, enabling shared and updated building information and knowledge through all stakeholders, from initial concept design to construction.

The implementation of BIM methodologies and tools in the AEC industry, therefore, reveals itself of great importance and promotes greater efficiency in the collaborative process between different actors.

With this work, one expects to comprehend the benefits and barriers to the introduction of BIM methodologies and tools in process simulation and energy analysis of buildings, as well as the analysis of the interoperability problems between BIM tools and specialized software for detailed energy analysis. In the same way, it is intended to analyse workflows that provide good efficiency, which will boost its correct implementation and adoption in the AEC industry.