Data categories
Starting from building level to an urban scale simulation, the amount of required relevant data for energy analysis can differ with respect to the considered data model and/or simulation environment. Thus, the data used for such simulations largely vary in resolution, usage and management. In order to define the data sources, three major data types are identified:
- Primary = Information that can be directly used in a building simulation (e.g. geometric features)
- Secundary = Classifiers (e.g. building age)
- Tertiary = Statistical information (e.g. building topology)
| Category | Description | Use | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Building footprints | 2D polygons of the building footprint | Geometric calculations and estimations involving individual and gross floor area | Primary |
| 1 | Building height | Height of the building. Often comprised of two measurements - eave height and ridge height | Used to construct 3D volumes and surfaces from 2D data | Primary |
| 2 | 3D building model | 3D volumetric model of the building comprised of surfaces. Varying levels of detail | Provides geometric information about the outer shape of the building | Primary |
| 3 | Digital elevation model | Evenly spaced elevation values referenced to a projection or coordinate system | Determines the horizon line and location of shading objects for radiation calculations | Primary |
| 4 | Built form | Descriptive information about the relationship with other buildings | Determines the boundary conditions for simulation by identifying shared and exposed walls | Primary |
| 5 | Thermal envelope (wall, roof, floor, glazing types) | Detailed information on the construction and materials used in the elements of the building envelope | The thermophysical properties of the building elements are used in the simulation to calculate heat flows | Primary |
| 6 | Building age | Age of the building or time since the last retrofit | Infer typical building materials based on regulations at the time of construction/refurbishment | Secondary |
| 7 | Building use | Usage category of a building | Used to determine internal schedules, temperature and humidity set points required for simulation | Secondary |
| 8 | Occupant Composition | Detailed information about the number, type, age-group of the inhabitants of the building | Used to determine load schedules specific to an occupant type | Secondary |
| 9 | Tenure | Provides information on whether the house is owner occupied, rented or is a social housing | Used to infer information about construction, refurbishment status or sceduling | Secondary |
| 10 | Building Energy System | Existence and parameters of energy systems (Renewables, HVAC, Lighting and DHW) in the building. | Used in calculations to determine the effciency of the energy system and resulting demand profiles | Primary/Secondary |
| 11 | Address Data | The street address of a building | Can be used for aggregation, clustering and linking. Address data could also be used to infer information about the age or use of a building. | Secondary |
| 12 | Building Typology | Parameterised buildings models representing a specific category | Used to populate the parameters of missing or questionable data records | Tertiary |
| 13 | Stock Development | Rates for a new building construction, building demolition and/or building refurbishment. | The stock development data acts as independet parameter that 'drives' a possible stock development forecast. | Tertiary |
| 14 | Energy Generation and Distribution | The availability and description of district heating or external energy resources (e.g. CHP) as well as grid accessibility. | Used to evaluate the reliance and influence of the building on external energy systems | NaN |
| 15 | Weather Data | Environmental variables experienced by the building over the simulated period | Directly used in the simulation to determine boundary conditions and heat flows | Primary |