Dynamic Energy Modelling of Buildings: Thermal Simulation (edX)

We start with a recap of the various heat transfer phenomena that affect buildings’ thermal behavior. Then you will learn how to combine them in dynamic energy balances of relevant building elements such as windows, façades, floors, indoor walls and ceilings, air, furniture, and even the occupants. You will be guided step by step through the construction of a differential equation network, enabling you to understand how to model thermal energy demand and temperature levels during the construction and use of existing buildings and new and innovative building systems.

Secondly, you will learn how to solve the resulting equations by using either finite difference or response factor methods. As a result, you will be able to discover for yourself the effects of different designs, and also understand the basic principles which underlie well-known Building Simulation Tools and HVAC software like Energy+, esp-r, DOE-2, Carrier-HAP or TRNSYS. Thus will help you to maximize your correct use of these tools in the future.

Finally, you will apply your knowledge by building your own test-software in the language of your choice (e.g. Matlab, R, Python) and solving several equation networks in order to answer the questions posed above and to thermally optimize rooms in buildings in terms of temperature and energy efficiency, and even to determine the thermal comfort level for occupants accounting for radiant temperatures.

What you'll learn

- How to apply diverse heat transfer laws to buildings.

- How to construct a thermal nodes network using different grey-box and white-box models.

- How to model a building’s dynamics, derive the corresponding balance equations, and solve the system of equations.

- To understand the effects of buildings’ construction and dynamic behavior on temperature profiles and energy demand and loads.

- How to combine pressure, mass and energy balances to model passive systems like a solar chimney or a ventilated cavity in a second-skin façade.