Article Title
Achieving informed decision-making for net zero energy buildings design using building performance simulation tools
Keywords
decision support, early stage, net zero, design, simulation, architects
Abstract
Building performance simulation (BPS) is the basis for informed decision-making of Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) design. This paper aims to investigate the use of building performance simulation tools as a method of informing the design decision of NZEBs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a simulation-based decision aid, ZEBO, on informed decision-making using sensitivity analysis. The objective is to assess the effect of ZEBO and other building performance simulation tools on three specific outcomes: (i) knowledge and satisfaction when using simulation for NZEB design; (ii) users’ decision-making attitudes and patterns, and (iii) performance robustness based on an energy analysis. The paper utilizes three design case studies comprising a framework to test the use of BPS tools. The paper provides results that shed light on the effectiveness of sensitivity analysis as an approach for informing the design decisions of NZEBs.
Publisher
Tsinghua University Press
Recommended Citation
Shady Attia, Andre De Herde, Elisabeth Gratia et al. Achieving informed decision-making for net zero energy buildings design using building performance simulation tools. Build Simul, 2013, 6(1): 3–21.