A conceptual framework to energy estimation in buildings using agent based modeling

Actual energy consumption in buildings is typically different from predictions during the design phase. While differences in occupant energy usage characteristics play an important role in this variation, actual energy estimation software do not account for this factor. This paper proposes a new approach for energy estimation in buildings using a combination of traditional energy calculation software along with agent-based simulation modeling. First, the difference in energy consumption levels for different types of occupancy energy usage characteristics is identified by building energy models adapted for each type of behavior. Then, an agent-based simulation model simulates the influence that people with different behaviors have on each other, resulting in potential changes in energy usage characteristics over time. By combining these two methods, more customized energy studies can be performed resulting in more accurate energy consumption estimates.