Shuo Wu

The global demand for energy is significantly impacted by the consumption patterns within the building sector. As such, the importance of energy simulation and prediction is growing exponentially. This research leverages Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodologies, creating a synergy between traditional software methods and algorithm-driven approaches for comprehensive energy analysis. The study also proposes a method for monitoring select energy management factors, a step that could potentially pave the way for the integration of digital twins in energy management systems. The research is grounded in a case study of a newly constructed educational building in New South Wales, Australia. The digital physical model of the building was created using Autodesk Revit, a conventional software for BIM methodology. EnergyPlus, facilitated by OpenStudio, was employed for the traditional software-based energy analysis. The energy analysis output was then used to develop preliminary algorithm models using regression strategies in Python. In this regression analysis, the temperature and relative humidity of each energy unit were used as independent variables, with their energy consumption being the dependent variable. The sigmoid algorithm model, known for its accuracy and interpretability, was employed for advanced energy simulation. This was combined with sensor data for real-time energy prediction. A basic digital twin (DT) example was created to simulate the dynamic control of air conditioning and lighting, showcasing the adaptability and effectiveness of the system. The study also explores the potential of machine learning, specifically reinforcement learning, in optimizing energy management in response to environmental changes and usage conditions. Despite the current limitations, the study identifies potential future research directions. These include enhancing model accuracy and developing complex algorithms to boost energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Buildings consume a significant amount of energy throughout their lifecycle; Thus, sustainable energy management is crucial for all buildings, and controlling energy consumption has become increasingly important for achieving sustainable construction. Digital twin (DT) technology, which lies at the core of Industry 4.0, has gained widespread adoption in various fields, including building energy analysis. With the ability to monitor, optimize, and predict building energy consumption in real time. DT technology has enabled sustainable building energy management and cost reduction. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the development and application of DT technology in building energy. Specifically, it discusses the background of building information modeling (BIM) and DT technology and their application in energy optimization in buildings. Additionally, this article reviews the application of DT technology in building energy management, indoor environmental monitoring, and building energy efficiency evaluation. It also examines the benefits and challenges of implementing DT technology in building energy analysis and highlights recent case studies. Furthermore, this review emphasizes emerging trends and opportunities for future research, including integrating machine learning techniques with DT technology. The use of DT technology in the energy sector is gaining momentum as efforts to optimize energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions continue. The advancement of building energy analysis and machine learning technologies is expected to enhance prediction accuracy, optimize energy efficiency, and improve management processes. These advancements have become the focal point of current literature and have the potential to facilitate the transition to clean energy, ultimately achieving sustainable development goals.