From White to Black-Box Models: A Review of Simulation Tools for Building Energy Management and Their Application in Consulting Practices

Amir Shahcheraghian, Hatef Madani () and Adrian Ilinca
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Amir Shahcheraghian: Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada
Hatef Madani: Department of Energy Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
Adrian Ilinca: Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-45

Abstract: Buildings consume significant energy worldwide and account for a substantial proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, building energy management has become critical with the increasing demand for sustainable buildings and energy-efficient systems. Simulation tools have become crucial in assessing the effectiveness of buildings and their energy systems, and they are widely used in building energy management. These simulation tools can be categorized into white-box and black-box models based on the level of detail and transparency of the model’s inputs and outputs. This review publication comprehensively analyzes the white-box, black-box, and web tool models for building energy simulation tools. We also examine the different simulation scales, ranging from single-family homes to districts and cities, and the various modelling approaches, such as steady-state, quasi-steady-state, and dynamic. This review aims to pinpoint the advantages and drawbacks of various simulation tools, offering guidance for upcoming research in the field of building energy management. We aim to help researchers, building designers, and engineers better understand the available simulation tools and make informed decisions when selecting and using them.

Keywords: BES; simulation tool; white-box; black-box; machine learning; deep learning; building energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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