Innovations in Building Energy Modeling: Research and Development Opportunities for Emerging Technologies

Building Energy Modeling (BEM) is a multi-purpose tool for building energy efficiency (EE). BTO seeks to expand the use and effectiveness of BEM in the design and operation of commercial and residential buildings with the goal of achieving lasting reductions in total and peak energy use. This report identifies gaps and outlines recommended initiatives to achieve this goal, based on a combination of technical analysis and stakeholder input. In addition to BTO, this report can benefit BEM professionals (architects, mechanical engineers, energy consultants, building auditors, equipment manufacturers, and BEM software vendors) and BEM clients (building owners and operators, EE program administrators, EE service providers, policy makers, and policy and code jurisdictions such as states and cities). This report was developed in two phases. In the first, BTO worked with a team from Navigant Consulting (now Guidehouse) to characterize objectives, opportunities, and current activities, identify gaps and barriers, and define initiatives. To collect input, Navigant conducted telephone interviews and workshops with industry experts. The initial phase produced a draft Report, which was released for public review in 2016 and yielded over 400 comments. BTO released the second draft report for public review in 2019. The second round of review generated 83 pages of feedback and comments—almost exactly the length of the draft Report itself—a significant portion of which was collected and synthesized by IBPSA-USA Advocacy Committee. This final Report incorporates this feedback.