Sensitivity analysis of energy consumption of Integrated Façade Systems: system and sub-system variables of a base case model for Building Energy Simulation

Buildings Energy Simulation (BES) has been used as a substitute for more time- and cost-intensive physical modelling methods such as test cells, environmental chambers and real building monitoring. Their flexibility, ease of use and broader coverage are also very strong advantages they have over mathematical modelling for energy studies. Development of a benchmark model for BES is the first step in this methodology and bares high importance on methodological reliability and validity of the study. This paper uses a unique methodology to develop a base case model as a benchmark model for BES of highly- to fully-glazed office buildings in hot and arid climates to test the robustness of the results of the model developed. Using the base case and the variables at the system and sub-system level – as set out through the methodology developed for this study – the paper will conduct energy simulation of different scenarios and will carry out the sensitivity analysis to test out the robustness of the results. The results form part of the analysis of the research, which has been designed to provide a full account of how different combinations of a set of variables can and will influence energy generation/use, indoor comfort, and daylighting of highly- to fully-glazed office buildings in hot and arid climates.