About this encyclopedia

Building Performance Simulation with IDA Indoor Climate and Energy

The main objective of this encyclopedia (EQUA’s Wiki) is to offer practical guidance to professionals on effectively using Building Performance Simulations (BPS) throughout different stages of the design process. It explains when, why, and how to apply BPS and how to interpret the results to support design decisions. The section begins with a general introduction to the BPS field and then transitions into an IDA ICE manual.

For beginners, reading the entire encyclopedia from start to finish provides a comprehensive overview of both BPS and IDA ICE. Links to IDA ICE-specific resources — such as getting started guides, context-sensitive help, model descriptions, tips and tricks, questions and answers, and training materials — enhance the encyclopedia, making it a valuable reference for advanced IDA ICE users.

Contents

• What is BPS?
• Why do BPS?
  • Optimize building performance
  • Dimensioning
  • Proof of concept and sensitivity analysis
  • Energy code compliance and certifications
  • Research and policy development
  • Digital twin for operating control and virtual sensing
• Education and career
  • BPS backgrounds
  • University BPS programs
  • BPS employers and job titles
  • The EQUA academy
  • Get help with your modeling questions
  • Making an impact on your project
• BPS tasks within the design and operation process
  • Pre-Design
  • Design
  • Construction and comissioning
  • Operation
• What makes good BPS?
  • Requirements on good BPS
  • The challenge of complex and multifaceted problems
  • Possible solutions
  • Basic principles of IDA and IDA ICE
• How to get and install IDA ICE?
  • Trial licenses
  • Permanent license
  • First tour of the IDA ICE GUI
• What input is needed?
  • External boundary conditions
  • Geometry
  • Micro climate
  • Envelope constructions
  • Zoning
  • Zone usage data
  • Local units
  • Distribution System
  • Central heating and cooling system
  • Ventilation system
  • Electrical system
  • Control systems
  • Energy sources
  • Simulation data
• Where does the model information come from?
  • CAD and image import
  • IDA ICE defaults
  • IDA ICE database
  • National energy codes
  • Your own database and resources
  • Manufacturer datasheets
  • Plans and specifications from the planning team
• What happens when the simulation runs?
  • Invoke process
  • Simulation types
  • Schematics (Advanced level)
  • The IDA solver
  • How results are stored
• What reports and results do you get?
  • Input reports
  • Variable time sequences
  • Animation
  • Summary tables
  • Monthly and annually integrated values
• Supporting tools for experts
  • The version handling system
  • Parametric Runs & Optimization
  • Graphical scripting
  • LISP scripting
  • Python
  • API
  • Co-Simulation
• IDA ICE extensions
  • Localizations
  • ASHRAE 90.1
  • Boreholes
  • Daylight calculation
  • Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)