DeST 3.0: A new-generation building performance simulation platform

Abstract

Buildings contribute to almost 30% of total energy consumption worldwide. Developing building energy modeling programs is of great significance for lifecycle building performance assessment and optimization. Advances in novel building technologies, the requirements of high-performance computation, and the demands for multi-objective models have brought new challenges for building energy modeling software and platforms. To meet the increasing simulation demands, DeST 3.0, a new-generation building performance simulation platform, was developed and released. The structure of DeST 3.0 incorporates four simulation engines, including building analysis and simulation (BAS) engine, HVAC system engine, combined plant simulation (CPS) engine, and energy system (ES) engine, connected by air loop and water loop balancing iterations. DeST 3.0 offers numerous new simulation features, such as advanced simulation modules for building envelopes, occupant behavior and energy systems, cross-platform and compatible simulation kernel, FMI/FMU-based co-simulation functionalities, and high-performance parallel simulation architecture. DeST 3.0 has been thoroughly evaluated and validated using code verification, inter-program comparison, and case-study calibration. DeST 3.0 has been applied in various aspects throughout the building lifecycle, supporting building design, operation, retrofit analysis, code appliance, technology adaptability evaluation as well as research and education. The new generation building simulation platform DeST 3.0 provides an efficient tool and comprehensive simulation platform for lifecycle building performance analysis and optimization.