Energy Modeling

Energy Modeling

Energy Modeling

Energy modeling allows in-depth comparative analysis of potential building systems and strategies to optimize energy performance. Modeling, when used as a design tool as opposed to simply a compliance method, enables the team to make integrated design decisions based on a full understanding of cost and how systems interact.

The Harvard Green Building Standards require multiple updates to energy models on large, new construction projects to ensure that appropriate measures are being tested at every stage of design. 

This page is under construction, so please check back soon for expanded resources, including information on energy model calibration. Significant updates will be announced via the free Harvard Green Building Tip, so sign up to here to ensure you’re up to date with all of Harvard’s Green Building Resources. 

    Energy Modeling Software

    While energy modeling software is rapidly changing and increasingly becoming integrated with general purpose BIM and CAD tools, the Department of Energy has created what remains the standard software backbone called DOE-2.  This framework has been freely distributed and is now used by two leading, FREE, energy simulation software platforms called EnergyPlus and eQuest.