511796 - BUILDING ENERGY ANALYSIS

courses

ID:

511796

Duration (hours):

29

CFU:

SSD:

FISICA TECNICA AMBIENTALE

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)

Course Objectives

The course aims to provide the skills required to assess the energy performance of buildings using dynamic simulation tools, with a specific focus on energy sustainability and building-system efficiency.
At the end of the module, students will be able to:
Understand the theoretical and operational foundations of dynamic thermal-energy simulation for buildings.
Analyse the dynamic energy behaviour of new and existing buildings, identifying effective design or retrofit strategies.
Evaluate heating and cooling energy demand and assess how design choices affect overall efficiency.
Apply digital tools for calculating thermal loads, verifying operational scenarios, estimating energy consumption, and integrating renewable sources.
Use simulation results to select the most effective technical and system solutions.
Communicate results using tools appropriate for technical reporting and documentation.

Course Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of technical physics is required, especially concerning heat transfer and energy balance principles applied to buildings. A more in-depth understanding of building thermophysics may be helpful for a better comprehension of simulation tools.

Teaching Methods

Lectures introducing the fundamental theoretical concepts of dynamic building energy simulation. Numerical exercises for data analysis and interpretation of simulation outputs. Use of digital tools and professional software (DesignBuilder, EnergyPlus) for the construction and validation of energy models. Small-group work on real case studies. Discussion of results to promote critical thinking, technical interpretation and design-oriented learning.

Assessment Methods

Access to the final examination is subject to the submission of one or more assignments prepared during the course, which contribute to the determination of the final grade. The submission must be made, within the specified deadlines, by the end of the semester. The exam is conducted on a computer workstation and consists of three modules: theory questions, numerical exercises, and multiple-choice quizzes. The final grade is based on the overall written test, with an indicative weight of 25% for the quizzes, 45% for the numerical exercises, and 30% for the theory questions. To pass the exam, the theory section must independently achieve a sufficient score, regardless of the total grade. Normally, the written test must be confirmed by an oral examination, held the following day. At the instructor’s discretion, the grade of the written test may be directly recorded, up to a maximum of approximately 24/30.

Texts

Specific reference texts and supplementary materials will be indicated and made available on the KIRO platform. For applied learning, students will refer to technical manuals and operational guides available online, as well as official documentation related to the simulation software used (DesignBuilder, EnergyPlus).

The course introduces the principles of dynamic thermal-energy simulation, aimed at evaluating the hourly behaviour of buildings under real operating conditions. Teaching activities are organised into three main areas:
Principles and tools of dynamic simulation
Characteristics of hourly modelling: comparison between static and dynamic methods, energy balances of the indoor environment and building, climate input and boundary conditions, representation of thermal losses and internal loads. Use factors, thermal inertia, ventilation, solar gains.
Development and validation of a dynamic model
Analysis of input data: geometry, materials, usage schedules, systems. Modelling of envelope components and thermal exchanges. Hourly thermal load calculations. Analysis of results: time profiles of temperatures and energy consumption. Interpretation of graphical outputs.
Applications and case studies
Guided development of a model in DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus. Evaluation of summer and winter performance. Comparison of design options (envelope, shading, ventilation, systems). Simulation of strategies for improving energy efficiency and comfort. Exercises based on real case studies with group discussion of results.
The course combines theoretical sessions and computer-based activities with progressive exercises, within a project developed by students in small teams.

Course Language

Italian

More information

The module is part of the course in Environmental Technical Physics (FTA) and Hydraulic Machines and is therefore carried out in sequence with another FTA module. It takes place at the beginning of the first semester, during all the hours scheduled for the FTA course. The final hours of the module will be held at the end of the semester, allowing time for a dynamic simulation software exercise, which must be submitted in order to take the exam.