Introduction

It is not hyperbole to suggest that the better design of new buildings would result in a 50-75%
reduction in their energy consumption relative to 2000 levels, and that appropriate intervention
in the existing stock would readily yield a 30% reduction. Added together, this would signifi-
cantly reduce a nation's energy bill, handsomely contribute to environmental impact and cli-
mate change mitigation, and help to alleviate the stressful indoor conditions experienced by
many citizens. Indeed, energy efficiency may be likened to an untapped, clean energy resource
of vast potential.
The barrier to accessing this resource is less to do with technological constraintsnmuch
know-how and many approaches already existmand more to do with ineffective decision-sup-
port. This is especially true at the early design stage in the case of new build, and at the reme-
dial options selection stage in the case of existing buildings. It is a strange paradox that we live
in an information age and yet information is never in the hands of those who need it to make
informed decisions.
It is in response to this deficiency that building simulation has emerged for use to appraise
options for change in terms of relevant issuesnfrom human health and comfort, through
energy demand reduction, to sustainable practices. Because of the growing acceptance that
simulation defines best practice, substantial attempts are being made to transfer the technology
into practice. There are two main incentives for this transfer. First, buildings are complex arti-
facts involving 'hard' and 'soft' aspects (such as transient energy flows and stochastic occupant
interactions respectively). Traditional design methods, by failing to address this complexity,
fall short of best practice. Second, there is a need for rapid feedback on the cost and perfor-
mance of alternative design approaches. The present system of specialist consultants, while
adequate for the detailed design and final specification phases, fails to provide this ad hoc
advice.
Such incentives provide the impetus for the growth of organisations representing the notion
of 'test driving' a building using simulation: the International Building Performance Simulation
Association (IBPSA 1999), the Energy Design Advice Scheme (McElroy et al 1997) and the
Scottish Energy Systems Group (McElroy and Clarke 1999). Such organisations have brought
about a better understanding of the potential of a modelling and simulation approach to build-
ing design (Howrie 1995).