Challenges for Modeling Energy Use in High-rise Office Buildings in Hong Kong

Modeling buildings’ energy use is an effective strategy for identifying energy saving potential and seeking for energy efficient building solutions. However, there exist significant challenges for such modeling, particularly of high-rise buildings. The aim of this paper is to examine such challenges drawing on the case of high-density high-rise office buildings in the hot and humid climate of Hong Kong. The challenges are examined in relation to four aspects, namely, modeling approach, modelling tools, data availability and atmospheric conditions. A framework of strategies is developed for addressing the challenges. The strategies are then illustrated through a case study with a hypothesized high-rise office building in Hong Kong. Essential to achieving accuracy of modeling buildings’ energy use are found to be the collection and verification of building information and specification of thermal zones and schedules for modeling. The lack of usable data of energy use in high-rise buildings is considered to be a major barrier to verifying modeled results. To establish an integrated model with energy modelling and CFD software should effectively address the challenges.