Step 5 Build Baseline UBEM
This step is conducted by the energy modeler who uses the baseline umi file from step 4 to calculate the operational energy use of all buildings in the seed area. Before proceeding, the energy modeler needs to install Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino) and UMI on their Windows PC as detailed on the energy modeler page.
Run Operational Energy Module in UMI
As explained in the UMI video tutorials referenced under the energy modeler page, the energy modeler first need to open Rhino and then the UMI file downloaded from UBEM.IO under step 4. The Rhino display should then show the baseline UBEM including buildings and streets (if selected during the previous step). All objects are automatically placed on their corresponding layers and all buildings should have the previously selected templates assigned. An example vie is shown below. You might have to adjust your viewport settings to get a similar image. For larger models the UMI fie may take some time to load. Especially the striped windows view indicating the window-to-wall-ratio (WWR) and number of floor can take some time to load.
To query the model you may want go to run the UMI Site module to get some basic info about the seed neighborhood. You can also click on individual building to review simulation settings.
Once you are satisfied, go to the operational energy module and simulate all buildings. This may take a while. Once complete the buildings should be color-coded by energy use or energy use intensity. As any energy modeler will know, now is an opportune moment to verify that simulation input and results make sense. Ideally the municipality previous conducted a carbon inventory and can provide overall building-related carbon emissions.
Monthly operational energy use for heating, cooling equipment and lighting are saved within the UMI model. Once the energy modeler has sufficient confidence in the baseline UBEM results, they can save the results move on the Step 6 and define shallow and deep retrofitting scenarios.
