Radiant spectral energy for simulation in the built environment

Fast and accurate daylighting and energy performance simulations are crucial for real-time control systems (RCS) in the built environment. RCS include adaptive and responsive facades, adaptive smart glass, film, and HVAC control systems. State-of-the-art building monitoring systems driving such RCS require spectral input in order to take advantage of the visible light and thermal infrared energy of solar and sky radiation. Building designers also require spectral energy for early-stage building and fenestration design and material decisions relating to circadian rhythm daylighting. Unfortunately, modern daylighting and energy simulations often neglect spectral energy in efforts to reduce computation time. We present an accurate, interactive physically-based approach for building performance simulation that utilizes spectral radiance and a radiosity engine to compute a spectral visualization solution in real-time. This approach demonstrates the feasibility of using radiant spectral energy from modern skylight models given real sky viewer captures or sky conditions for daylighting and thermal building performance simulations. This method is intended for building performance simulation, building adaptation, circadian daylighting consideration, and real-time control systems in the built environment.