High resolution space - time data: methodology for residential building simulation modelling

A bottom-up approach is developed for the specification of operational data with a high space-time resolution, to be used as inputs in multi-zone residential building models. These archetype models will be used to analyse demand modulation of total domestic electricity consumption, thus requiring a detailed knowledge of domestic loads. The approach is based on national Time-Use Survey (TUS) resident activity data. To illustrate the approach, the EnergyPlus simulation platform is used to model a multi-zone case study building. Occupancy profiles, lighting load and disaggregated electrical appliance load profiles, as well as their associated heat gains, are generated and spatially mapped within the building. A good match is seen between synthesised and measured profiles. A greater sharing of electrical appliances, as the household size increases, is also seen. Fifteen-minute resolution of the model outputs is found to be sensible in the context of the current project, due to aggregation.