Glasgow-based climate tech firm, IES, has announced the development of a new Dynamic Simulation Modelling Guide to support building designers in meeting the Scottish Futures Trust's Net Zero Public Sector Buildings (NZPSB) Standard.

The Scottish Government-approved Standard aims to help public bodies to meet their net zero commitments for any new build and major refurbishment projects, with a central principle of verification to ensure the project goals are achieved. Scotland's climate change legislation sets a target date for net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.

The Dynamic Simulation Modelling guide forms part of a suite of official supporting documentation, and signals an important step change to the way modelling is performed on public sector buildings in Scotland.

Encouraging greater modelling detail and project stakeholder collaboration, the guide aspires to move the sector away from the traditional 'modelling for compliance' approach, whereby models are simply created to pass Building Regulations.

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This approach has contributed to a 'performance gap' between the predictions of energy use provided by designers at the design stage of a building and a building's actual energy performance when in use.

Dynamic Simulation Modelling will take a significant step forward in closing this performance gap, by adopting a comprehensive and detailed approach to building systems analysis, known as 'HVAC' modelling, to calculate the 'Operational Energy Target' (OET) predictions.

The modelling guide, whilst primarily aimed at Dynamic Simulation Modelling modellers, is also written to inform all project stakeholders understanding of how to obtain the right level of Dynamic Simulation Modelling to make the necessary evidence-based decisions to meet both the Operational Energy Target as well as Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) objectives for their project.

David McEwan, Director at IES, commented: "Decarbonising our built environment is becoming increasingly urgent, so we are proud to have been given the opportunity to support building designers working within the public sector to meet their net zero goals.

"However, it's also no longer just the right thing to do. As part of the NZPSB standard, an OET is set out at the beginning of the project. Delivering the OET may be linked to public sector funding for the project, such that in order to receive full funding the project would be expected to meet the energy measured in use.

"The Dynamic Simulation Modelling guide supports project teams to perform the detailed modelling required to ensure their projects meet the operational energy targets and the project is a success."