Dynamic Energy Modeling of Buildings and Thermal Simulation

As energy costs rise and climate regulations tighten, understanding how heat flows through structures is essential for designing sustainable, energy-efficient buildings. This text-based course guides you through the foundational principles of thermal dynamics and building energy modeling. You will transition from understanding basic heat transfer concepts to confidently simulating and optimizing a building's thermal performance for real-world efficiency. What you'll learn: 1. Understand foundational thermodynamic principles, heat transfer mechanisms, and thermal mass in buildings. 2. Analyze climate data files and weather parameters to predict building thermal responses. 3. Model passive design strategies, including solar gains, natural ventilation, and insulation. 4. Configure dynamic thermal simulation parameters to evaluate heating and cooling loads. 5. Evaluate building envelope performance to identify energy-saving opportunities. 6. Apply modern energy modeling workflows to optimize HVAC integration and indoor comfort. The course begins with essential terminology and the physics of heat transfer before moving into dynamic simulation methodologies and practical design optimization scenarios. Through clear written explanations and structured analytical exercises, you will build a solid foundation in building performance analysis. This course is designed for beginners, aspiring energy modelers, architects, and engineering students who want to learn building simulation from scratch, with no prior modeling experience required. Start your journey into building energy modeling and design more sustainable structures today.