Building information models as input for building energy performance simulation - the current state of industrial implementations

The presented work analyzes interoperability, reliability and usability of current industrial implementations that aim to provide a dataflow between Building Information Models (BIM) and software tools for Building Energy Performance Simulation (BEPS). Therefore an idealized data exchange model between the domains BIM and BEPS is introduced. The model includes various data areas that are relevant for building energy performance simulation. On the basis of the idealized model, the interoperability of currently available BEPS tools and architectural BIM software is tested. The results gained from test suite show that the information exchange takes place, however, the direct transfer of the resulting thermal model of the building without manual editing is not possible. The use of BIM Models for simulations requires an understanding of the limitations. The implementation of interoperability has a point-like character and requires further development. In spite of there is mostly a possibility to transfer geometry of building, this is not the only data needed for simulations, the supplementary information is also to be involved in exchange.