Validation of a building model as part of the AixLib Modelica library for dynamic plant and building performance simulations

Abstract The necessity of accurate and reliable predictions in the building energy sector is permanently rising based on the incentive of reducing energy consumption, consequential costs and emissions. Therefore, building performance simulation models need to be consistently validated in order to assure good prognoses regarding buildings’ thermal energy demands. Purpose of this paper is to check the reliability of the AixLib high-order models (HOMs) as well as TDA, a simulation tool for determination of buildings’ thermal demands. The HOMs and TDA will be checked by implementing a validation technique according to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140–2017 through comparing simulation results to measurement data and comparative test cases. Results of comparative testing show close agreement for most of the 25 implemented cases and 4 free-floating cases. Only three test cases are not within the given statistical acceptance ranges, mostly with insignificant deviations. Empirical validation findings depict average discrepancies between simulated and measured room air temperatures of approximately ±1 K. Overall, the achieved results imply accurate and reliable prognoses through the use of the HOMs and TDA due to close agreement with existing reference data and performances in accordance to the state of the art.