Experimental validation of a EnergyPlus model: Application of a multi-storey naturally ventilated double skin façade

Nowadays, energy simulation in many respects assists researchers and engineers in the design phase, as well as in the buildings operational phase. Reliability of the integrated simulation model and the knowledge and experience of the user are the cornerstones of good quality simulation prediction result. This study was preceded by a detailed and long-term experimental analysis of the building with a double-skin ventilated façade [10]. The paper presents results of the measurement, fine-tuning process and validation of the numerical simulation model. The simulation software tool, EnergyPlus in combination with Airflow Network Algorithm algorithm was used for the cavity air temperature and velocity prediction. When the model was verified, the criterion of eligibility were defined with the recommended statistical indicators. In order to achieve the better assessment, the validation process was done trifold: for winter, transitional and summer season. Overall, the research results highlight a very good agreement and a high level of matching between measured values and simulated results, which is a confirmation of the applied energy simulation tool.