Energy Consumption and Indoor Environment Predicted by a Combination of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Building Energy Performance Simulation

An interconnection between a building energy performance simulation program and a Computational Fluid Dynamics program (CFD) for room air distribution is introduced for improvement of the predictions of both the energy consumption and the indoor environment.The article describes a calculation of the energy consumption in a large building where the building energy simulation program is modified by CFD predictions of the flow between three zones that are connected by pressure and buoyancy-driven air flow through open areas. The two programs are interconnected in an iterative procedure. The article shows also an evaluation of the air quality in the main area of the buildings based on CFD predictions. It is demonstrated that an interconnection between a CFD program and a building energy performance simulation program will improve both the energy consumption data and the prediction of thermal comfort and air quality in a selected area of the building.