Agent-based modelling and energy performance assessment: a co-simulation case study

A number of recent research efforts focus on the inclusion of more detailed models of occupants in building performance computing. Thereby, agent-based modelling (ABM) has the theoretical potential to capture the dynamic and complex patterns of occupants' presence and behaviour in buildings. This paper starts with a brief reference to recent reviews of the state of the art concerning the deployment of ABM in building energy simulation. Subsequently, an illustrative case study is used to explore the potential and current challenges of ABM in building performance simulation. The case study involves the coupling of ABM with a building simulation model to evaluate the influence of occupants' energy consciousness and thermal comfort preferences on buildings' energy performance.