SDG Goal #7: Can BIM Help Ensure Sustainable Energy?
Welcome to the seventh part of the series “BIM for Sustainable Development”, where we describe how BIM methodology can support ESG and SDG goals (#UN17). In this post, we will look at how BIM can be used to achieve Goal 7. Explore how BIM can enhance energy efficiency and support Sustainable Development Goal 7 by optimizing and managing energy use.
Click below to check out other posts:
- SDGs vs ESG and How BIM Can Help Achieve Sustainable Goals
- SDG Goal #3: How Does BIM Support Good Health and Quality of Life?
- SDG Goal #7: Can BIM Help Ensure Sustainable Energy?
- Goal #8 SDG: Can BIM Drive Sustainable Economic Growth?
- Goal #9 SDG: Can BIM Support Innovation and Infrastructure Development?
- SDG Goal #11: Can BIM Help Build Sustainable Cities and Environments?
- SDG Goal 12: How BIM Can Contribute to Sustainable Consumption and Production
- Goal #13: Does BIM Combat Climate Change and Its Impacts? – Series Summary
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Sustainable Energy
This goal focuses on access to safe, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, an issue that poses a number of challenges to the global community. Despite the progress made, there are still areas where millions of people do not have access to electricity and clean fuel sources. In this context, the Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology can also help, mainly by optimizing the energy efficiency of buildings and tracking and managing energy consumption in real time.
Building Energy Efficiency Optimization
BIM analysis revolutionizes the approach to building design by enabling a thorough understanding and optimization of energy efficiency. Through model-based simulations, designers can minimize the environmental impact of a building beyond ensuring its functional use.
Energy models can be created from scratch “sketchy” by defining the dimensions and shape of objects. You can also transform a standard BIM Model into an advanced energy model. Thanks to this function, designers can create simulations and analyze different scenarios, identifying the optimal solutions. Energy modeling allows you to take into account the influence of factors such as building orientation, type of insulation, installed equipment (e.g. HVAC), and even the number and arrangement of windows, which allows you to precisely determine which changes will bring the greatest benefits.
In addition, by analysing roof surfaces, we answer the question of whether it is profitable to include solar panels in the design and, if so, how to maximise the efficiency of photovoltaics.
Designers can experiment with different strategies, such as the use of green roofs, efficient ventilation, or heat recovery systems. This makes the design process more interactive, allowing for the exploration of different development paths until the most sustainable solution is found.
Tracking and Managing Energy Usage
BIM, through its ability to connect with other systems, helps to visualize, track and manage energy consumption in real time. With the help of so-called “middleware” tools (e.g. Siemens Ecodomus) we can easily implement information models into existing asset management systems (CMMS / CAFM). This will help to react faster to various types of events and failures on the facility, which may cause losses or inefficient operation of devices.
Various types of sensors and IoT devices can also be connected to individual elements of the digital object model. Thanks to continuous monitoring and access to real-time data, institutions and households can effectively manage their energy consumption. Minimizing losses and improving efficiency.
Challenges and Perspectives – BIM and Sustainable Energy
Although the use of renewable energy has increased during the pandemic, the UN – Energy Report (2023)* suggests that the share of renewable energy would have to exceed 30% of global energy consumption by 2030. And achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. In this context, BIM plays a key role in providing innovative solutions. Supporting the energy transition through the identification and implementation of sustainable practices.
