Energy Model

Our energy modeling automation provides precise and actionable insights into building performance and sustainability. At its core, the platform leverages EnergyPlus, an industry-standard energy simulation engine, ensuring all models meet the highest standards of accuracy and compliance. By integrating real-time data from Electricity Maps, our solution delivers unparalleled insights into operational carbon emissions, empowering users to make informed, impactful decisions.

Built for Compliance

All energy models generated by our platform are compliant with ASHRAE 90.1-2022, the latest standard for building energy efficiency. This ensures compatibility with regulatory requirements and sustainability certification programs, including LEED and WELL. The model framework incorporates updated baselines for building envelope performance, HVAC system efficiencies, and lighting controls. Whether modeling new construction or retrofits, users can trust that the outputs align with current industry benchmarks.

Real-Time Emissions Data

A key feature of our platform is the integration of real-time emissions factors sourced from Electricity Maps. These factors are location-specific and time-sensitive, reflecting the actual carbon intensity of the electrical grid at the time of energy use. This approach ensures that operational carbon calculations are not only accurate but also dynamic, enabling users to optimize building performance in real-world scenarios.

Location-Specific Modeling

The energy model begins with a simple yet critical input: location. This parameter determines several aspects of the simulation, including:

• The selection of weather data, such as typical meteorological year (TMY) data for the specified site.

• Grid-specific emissions factors, ensuring carbon assessments are accurate and localized.

• Climate zone-based assumptions for building envelope properties and HVAC system baselines.

By incorporating location data, the model can produce outputs that are highly relevant to the building’s actual performance environment.

Customization for Precision

While the platform provides robust default assumptions, users have the flexibility to adjust inputs to better reflect their unique scenarios. Key areas where customization is possible include:

• Building Envelope: Users can define specific materials, insulation levels, and glazing properties to reflect real-world construction.

• HVAC Systems: The system allows customization of equipment types, configurations, and efficiencies, enabling precise modeling of planned or existing systems.

• Schedules: Custom occupancy, lighting, and equipment usage schedules can be uploaded, ensuring alignment with operational realities.

• Weather Data: In addition to standard weather datasets, users can input real-time or localized weather data for enhanced accuracy.

This flexibility allows the model to cater to diverse use cases, from standard compliance checks to advanced scenario planning.

TEUI and TEDI Metrics

To provide a comprehensive assessment of building performance, our platform calculates Total Energy Use Intensity (TEUI) and Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI), key metrics used to evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability.

Total Energy Use Intensity (TEUI)

TEUI represents the total energy consumed by the building per square meter of floor area annually, expressed in kWh/m²/year. This includes:

• Energy used for heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and equipment.

• Both electrical and non-electrical energy sources. TEUI helps evaluate the overall efficiency of a building and is a critical benchmark for meeting energy codes and certifications.

Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI)

TEDI focuses specifically on the thermal energy required for space heating and cooling, also expressed in kWh/m²/year. This metric is influenced by:

• The building envelope’s thermal performance (e.g., insulation, glazing).

• Infiltration rates and ventilation system efficiencies.

• Climate-specific factors such as outdoor temperature and humidity. TEDI is particularly useful for assessing how well a building retains and manages thermal energy, making it a vital metric for low-carbon building design.

Both TEUI and TEDI are automatically calculated during simulations, allowing users to identify areas for improvement in energy efficiency and thermal performance.

Default Assumptions

To streamline the modeling process, the platform uses a set of baseline assumptions compliant with ASHRAE 90.1-2022. These include:

Building Envelope

• Thermal properties, such as U-values for walls, roofs, and windows, are determined based on the building’s climate zone.

• Infiltration rates align with typical construction standards, adjusted for the building type and quality.

HVAC Systems

• Default HVAC system types are selected based on the building category, with efficiencies that meet or exceed ASHRAE’s minimum standards.

• Heating and cooling setpoints are set to 21°C and 24°C, respectively, with flexibility for user customization.

Internal Loads

• Lighting power densities and plug loads are modeled using ASHRAE 90.1-2022 guidelines.

• Standard operational schedules are applied for different building types, though these can be overridden with user-specific data.

Grid Carbon Intensity

• Real-time grid emissions factors ensure operational carbon assessments remain accurate and location-specific.

Learn about how you can interact with these energy models on the building file overview page