Building Energy Modelling and Performance Analysis

The Fundamentals of Building Science course is a student-centered learning course. It provides essential knowledges of the building science that an energy modeler is expected to master. Each week's lesson includes a three-hour lecture. In this course, students learn the basic concept and principles of heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics and fluid dynamics in building applications. Topics include rudimentary heat conduction, convection and radiation process in building applications; Thermal performance of envelope interface details utilizing linear transmittance approach; psychrometric chart, refrigeration cooling and heat pump cycle, air flow through building components due to combined forces, and moisture transport in air and porous materials including vapor diffusion, convection, and capillarity. The application of analytical methods such as thermal network in solving typical heat and mass transfer problems through building envelope components and heat and mass balance within buildings will be illustrated as well.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​The course introduces basic knowledge and skills essential in analyzing energy usage in buildings. Each week's lesson includes a 2.0 hours lecture session, and a 1.0 hours lab/workshop session. In the lecture section, students are expected to learn the basic concepts and modelling skills of building energy systems. These systems include: building envelope system, HVAC and plumbing systems, and lighting systems (MEP) as well. IES-VE will be used in this course. Some rudimentary features and overall structure as well as some selected subprograms and their applications will be introduced and discussed. The basic modelling skills and the essential inputs of a variety of building HVAC and plumbing systems will be demonstrated in the lecture section as well through examples. These systems may include: PTAC, PTHP, PSZAC, PSZHP, WSHP systems, electric or hot water baseboard heater with HRV ventilation systems, and gas-fired or electric or heat pump domestic hot water heating systems. In the in-class lab/workshop section, students will apply what they have learned in the lecture session.​​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​The course provides an introduction of foundational concepts and techniques in building envelope and mechanical systems design that are essential for energy modelers. Each week's lesson includes a three-hour lecture. In the course, students are expected to learn the basic features and design concepts of various types and configurations of building envelope, and mechanical systems. This course is constituted of two parts – the building envelope part and mechanical system part. Topics to be covered in building envelope part include: building enclosures in general, structure and configuration of wall assemblies, window systems, floor/slab, and roof assemblies in typical residential or commercial buildings. Topics to be covered in mechanical system part include: basic heating and cooling load analysis, air conditioning process on psychrometric chart, HVAC system's fan and pump sizing, working principle and features of mechanical systems of various types and configurations (e.g. PTAC, PTHP, PSZAC, PSZHP, WSHP systems, air-side economizer, heat recovery ventilation systems, electric or hot water baseboard heating systems, domestic hot water systems and etc.), introduction of basic controls in building application (BMS and DDC systems).​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​The Building Energy Modelling 2 is a collaborative, student-centered learning course. It introduces advanced knowledge and skills required to perform advanced level building energy analysis. Each week's lesson includes a 2.0 hours lecture session, and a 1.0 hours lab/workshop session. In the lecture section, students will learn how to model the building envelope and mechanical systems that are introduced in Advanced Building Envelope and HVAC systems course using three different computer simulation tools, respectively (DesignBuilder, IES-VE, and OpenStudio). These systems include among others: variable air volume systems, VRF systems, comprehensive hydronic heating/cooling systems, waste heat recovery systems, and natural ventilation systems. The basic features and overall structure as well as some selected subprograms and their applications of these simulation tools will be introduced and discussed. The advanced modelling skills including indoor thermal comfort simulation, parametric analysis and model debugging will be demonstrated in the lecture section as well through examples. Three instructors, each with first-hand industry experience with these tools will teach in this course. In the in-class lab/workshop section, students will be put into practice what they have learned in the lecture session.​
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in BSCI 5100 and 60% in BSCI 5110

​The Advanced Building Envelope and Mechanical Systems course is a collaborative, student-centered learning course. It provides advanced knowledges and techniques of building envelope and mechanical systems that an energy modeler needs to know when performing advanced level of energy performance analysis. Each week's lesson includes a 3 hours lecture. In this course, students are expected to learn features and comprehensive design concepts of various types and configurations of building envelope, and mechanical systems. This course is constituted of two parts – the building envelope part and mechanical system part. Topics to be covered in building envelope part include: structure and configuration of assemblies of balcony, foundation wall, basement slab, slab on grade and crawlspace, design and performance aspects of these assemblies regarding thermal performance and air leakage, thermal bridge calculations and overview of envelope requirements in the applicable building code and standards (NECB, ASHRAE 90.1 and VBBL) Topics to be covered in mechanical system include: Working principle and features of comprehensive mechanical systems and devices including: VAV, DOA, Four-pipe Fan-coil, Primary-Secondary hydronic loop, VRF systems, Water-side economizer, Waste Heat Harvesting Systems; Advanced control strategies in building mechanical systems. Some renewable energy systems (solar panel and solar PV) commonly applied in buildings will be introduced as well. ​
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in BSCI 5100 and 60% in BSCI 5120

​The Introduction to Measurement and Verification course is a collaborative, student-centered learning course. It introduces the rudimentary principles and procedures of measurement and verification to building energy modelers in order to enable them to have a comprehensive understanding of the connections between theoretical energy simulation and actual performance measurement and verification. Each week's lesson includes a 3 hours lecture. In this course, students are expected to learn how to design an M&V strategy and incorporate the actual performance data into the model to provide more meaningful energy use predictions for buildings. Topics include building energy management in general, overview of energy audit process, fundamental concepts of M&V, M&V processes specified in both IPMVP and ASHRAE Guideline 14, energy model calibration process, introduction to most commonly used energy measuring instruments, economic analysis and life cycle costing. The causes of variability in building energy performance between the model’s prediction and actual measurement will be discussed in the class, as well.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​The industry-sponsored capstone project provides an opportunity for students to bring the knowledge and theory learned in other courses into a real-world energy modelling project. Students in the class will be divided into small two-person groups. Each group will be assigned a building energy performance analysis project provided by industry sponsors. Student will need to apply the knowledge and skills learned from all the courses of Term 1and other parallel courses of Term 2 to complete the project and submit a final report, accordingly. Each week students are expected to meet with sponsors as necessary to report the progress and ask questions. The course instructor will meet with students every week to monitor the project progress and answer some questions.​
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in BSCI 5100 and 60% in BSCI 5110 and 60% in BSCI 5120 and 60% in BSCI 5210 and 60% in BSCI 5220 and 60% in BSCI 5230

The course provides an overview of the basic skills of a manager and applies these skills through a series of projects and case studies. It examines the evolution of management and the organizational culture and environment. It also teaches the decision-making skills and the skills involved in planning, organizing, leading and controlling, including planning and facilitating change, teamwork, applying motivational techniques and effective communication.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.