ENRG 59: Simulation Methods and Code Compliance

Program Description:

The Building Efficiency for a Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) Center has developed a 4-semester program to prepare students to work as commercial building energy auditors. The Commercial Building Energy Analysis & Audits Program is divided into 15 modular courses designed for a community college level student. Courses are intended to prepare students for energy auditing, analyzing a building envelope and building systems for efficiency, employing appropriate tools for energy modeling and working with data, describing utility rate structures and demand response strategies, estimating energy savings and financial impacts, and integrating business development skills and concepts with energy audit reporting.

Content modules can be selected, recombined, or offered in a more compressed format for existing workers, or those that have some background in construction, architecture, HVAC, building operations or mechanical engineering.

Course Description:

This model course from BEST Center focuses on simulation methods and code compliance. The course asks students to consider the Building Energy Code (Title 24, section 6), Appliance Code (Title 20), and the Green Building Code (Title 24, section 11). The class will include modules on simulation tools that can be used for code compliance, analysis of the potential impact for specific EE and DR measures, verification of energy savings efforts. Simulation programs to be addressed include eQUEST, EnergyPro and Ecotect. In completing the course, students will be able to: 1) Describe the history of commercial energy efficiency regulation in California and related codes, 2) Describe the components of the Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Section 6), the Appliance Code (Title 20), and the Green Building Code (Title 24, Part 11), and the building simulation requirements of each, 3) Compare various Building Energy Modeling Systems (BEMS), including Energy Pro, eQUEST, and Ecotect, 4) Create a building model using a BEMS such as eQUEST, and employ that model to measure and evaluate various energy efficiency and demand response measures.

The completion of the lesson in full takes 36 lecture hours. Resources available as part of this course include a course outline, and a PowerPoint presentation.

For orientation purposes, viewers should begin with ENRG 59_Course Outline.pdf, which offers a description of the course as well as an overview of topics covered through a course outline.

Course Contents:

The 4-page course outline document includes a course description, learning outcomes, and a detailed course topics outline. Topics include: 1) an introduction 2) Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24 sec 6), 3) Energy Appliance Efficiency Code (Title  20), 4) California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) Title 24 section 11, and 5) Building Information Modeling Programs. Sections detailing the types of in-class and out-of-class assignments required and other textbooks and resources are also included.

The PowerPoint presentation covers how the class is related to California’s Energy Efficiency Plan and energy audits, Building Energy Efficiency Standards -Title 24 section 6, Energy Appliance Efficiency Code-Title 20, California Green Building Standards Code, and building information modeling programs.

Below is a list of the files contained within the .zip attachment. The size of each file is included in parenthesis.

ENRG 59 – Simulation Methods and Code Compliance (2 files, 2.7MB)

• Simulation Methods and Code Compliance Course Outline (ENRG 59_Course Outline.docx 25KB)
• Codes and Simulations PowerPoint (Codes and Simulations Course Content.pptx 2.7MB)