A team of four students from the Faculty of Technology at CEPT University, consisting of Arjita Gupta, Debanjana Das, Mohammed Umar and Mohi Saxena, who are pursuing their M.Tech. in Building Energy Performance (BEP), has emerged victorious in the IBPSA Student Modelling Competition for the year 2023.
The International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) hosts the prestigious Building Simulation conference every two years in various global locations, serving as the pinnacle event for the Building Performance Simulation community. This year, the 18th International IBPSA Building Simulation Conference took place in Shanghai, China, spanning from the 4th to the 6th of September 2023.
The competition’s primary objective was to devise and enhance a ‘Nearly Net Zero Carbon Emission Building’ through computer-based simulation. An impressive total of 19 submissions were received from across the globe, including participants from the USA, Australia, China, Africa, and several European nations.
As part of their involvement in the competition, the CEPT Team conducted an exhaustive performance analysis of the Students’ Activity Centre (SAC) situated at Tongji University in Shanghai, China. Employing cutting-edge computer modeling techniques, the students meticulously scrutinized various facets of the building’s performance. This included iterative examinations of the wall, roof, and window structures, as well as the air conditioning, ventilation systems, and lighting design, all aimed at minimizing energy consumption. Furthermore, the team conducted comprehensive calculations to ascertain carbon emissions attributable to the building’s operational activities.
Remarkably, the team managed to optimize the building’s energy utilization to a mere 70 units per square meter annually, representing an astounding 70% reduction compared to typical commercial buildings. The optimisation process also factored in carbon emissions stemming from cooling, heating, lighting and plug loads, with the team experimenting with design variations to meet their target Energy Use Intensity (EUI).
The students in the CEPT BEP program undergo rigorous training in the principles governing building energy performance, enabling them to become adept in digital simulations and proficient in addressing intricate technical challenges. Their multidisciplinary education equips them with the knowledge needed to influence the design of energy-efficient buildings, harmonising with building systems, architectural considerations and occupant health and comfort.
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