Capabilities and Limitations of Energy Optimization Tools in Architectural Design Phase

Optimization tools as a method have gained vast application to achieve best results in reducing buildings’ energy consumption. In this paper optimization tools in conjunction with energy simulation software, as a powerful mechanism in design phase are studied. This is an applied research in nature and evaluates the capabilities and limitations of optimization algorithms in the beginning of the design phase with the aim of reducing energy consumption in buildings. In this regard the most used softwares in building’s energy simulation and optimization are studied and compared to find and analyze their locus in the field and their gaps in optimization algorithms within design process and simulation. At first, the five most used software in design, energy optimization and simulation in buildings are defined through literature review. Then, several criteria are introduced to compare these software in terms of capabilities and limitations.  The results show that these methods have solved many problems during design and operational phases in buildings, but many studies show that there still is a meaningful distance between an optimized design and base design (pre-optimization). Additionally, findings represent that there is a wide distance between the requirements of designers in professional research and capabilities of existing tools. Also, the lack of education and skill creation in architectural society will result in limited usage of these new tools within the design process. This is one of the main problems in utilization of optimization during architectural design process. Then, extend of optimization knowledge at large scale in educational and professional fields considering the needs and abilities of architects is necessary.