Energy Plus Online
Simplified Building Energy Model
For buildings other than dwellings a new calculation procedure is required to assess both the target emissions and the proposed building emissions.
Developed by the BRE for DCLG (formerly ODPM), the simplified Energy Model (SBEM) is the default method for carrying out such calculations.
SBEM itself is the core calculation routine developed by the BRE on behalf of the government. The BRE have also developed a basic interface to SBEM. This interface is called iSBEM. The term "SBEM" is often loosely used to refer to the calculation routine and the interface which the BRE has developed for it. Strictly speaking, "SBEM" should refer only to the calculation routine itself.
SBEM calculates the amount of carbon dioxide which the proposed building will emit. The emissions per square metre per year is called the Building Emission Rate (BER) and is compared to the associated Target Emission Rate (TER). The TER is calculated by considering a notional building (based on the geometry of the proposed building) and applying certain standard improvement factors.
To calculate the BER and TER, SBEM assesses the energy demands of each individual space in the building in accordance with the activity conducted within that space. Different activities can result in different periods of occupancy and different required air temperatures, as well as varying requirements for lighting and hot water supply. The demand for heating, cooling and lighting is calculated by carrying out an energy balance based on monthly average weather conditions. The energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are calculated by considering these demands in relation to the details of the building services.
The SBEM calculation also passes data to a compliance checking module, which assesses the building to see if it complies with the minimum required standards for the energy performance of the building fabric and services.
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