Application of Modelling and Simulation Techniques for Predicting Energy Efficiency of High-Rise Residential Apartments

The building sector has been repeatedly held accountable for excessive consumption of energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The rapid population growth and improved economies are driving up demand for residential real estate. Environmentalists and energy engineers are particularly interested in operational energy out of the three phases of a building's lifecycle. Therefore, it is crucial that all residential buildings, especially apartments, be designed and constructed in a way that minimizes the amount of energy used for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and other building operations. Given the urgent need to expand residential building stock, this study presents a novel approach by leveraging advanced modelling and simulation techniques to predict the energy implications of future residential buildings. It specifically explores the optimal configuration (in terms of orientation and envelope treatment) for the most common residential building type in Ludhiana's composite climate. By demonstrating the accuracy of the model through statistical validation, particularly using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), this research underscores the innovative potential of simulations as a decision-making tool in energy-efficient building design and architecture.