An Open Toolchain for Generating Modelica Code from Building Information Models

Abstract

Building Performance Simulation (BPS) is a key element in the design of energy efficient buildings, and there is increasing interest in using the Modelica modelling language for BPS. The IEA-EBC coordinates development of BPS in Modelica in the project "Computational Tools for Building and Community Energy Systems" (Annex 60). However, developing BPS models and collecting required input data are time-consuming and error-prone processes. Reusing existing Building Information Models (BIM) as basis for Building Performance Simulation (BPS) has the potential to make BPS model development and subsequent simulation easier, faster and more reliable. Activity 1.3 of the Annex 60 project is working on an open-source toolchain that can semi-automatically generate code for BPS Modelica models from a BIM data source. Parts of that toolchain are discussed in this paper.