Resume

• 2007

  PhD

  Building Engineering

  Concordia University

• 2005

  MASc

  Aerospace Engineering

  Design

  building

  and testing of a nanosatellite deployment system. Since graduation

  about 10 kg of hardware that I designed has been launched into space. All deployment systems that I designed were successful in releasing their satellites into orbit.

  University of Toronto

• 2001

  Bachelor's Degree

  Aerospace Engineering

  Ryerson University

• 90.1

  Solar energy

  Passive solar

  Matlab

  Energy

  Solar Energy

  Simulation

  Green Roofs

  Simulations

  Shading

  Engineering

  ASHRAE Std. 62.1

  ASHRAE

  Daylighting

  Green Building

  Passive Solar

  Thermal Comfort

  Energy performance

  Comfort

  and lessons learned from a near net zero energy solar house

  Andreas Athienitis

  Energy performance

  Comfort

  and lessons learned from a near net zero energy solar house

  Building performance simulation (BPS) is a powerful tool for assessing the performance of un-built buildings to improve their design. However

  numerous obstacles resulting from limited resources of designers and poor presentation of results reduce the applicability of BPS to design practice. This paper introduces the concept of using Sankey diagrams to represent building energy performance data obtained from BPS tools. While being simple upon first\nexamination Sankey diagrams are complex and reveal many questions that BPS tool users should be considering

  including: appropriate spatial and temporal boundaries and model resolution; and it answers questions about how a particular design aspect or technology integrates into the whole building. The paper is a first investigation into the suitability of the application of Sankey diagrams as a tool to communicate BPS data to building designers.

  Preliminary Investigation of the Use of Sankey Diagrams to Enhance Building Performance Simulation-Supported Design

  The European standard EN 15251 specifies design criteria for dimensioning of building systems. In detail

  it proposes that the adaptive comfort model is used

  at first

  for dimensioning passive means; but

  if indoor operative temperature does not meet the chosen long-term adaptive comfort criterion in the “cooling season”

  the design would include a mechanical cooling system. In this case

  the reference design criteria are provided accordingly the Fanger comfort model. However

  there is a discontinuity by switching from the adaptive to the Fanger model

  since the best building variant

  according to the former

  may not coincide with the optimal according to the latter.\nIn this paper

  an optimization procedure to support the design of a comfort-optimized net zero energy building is proposed. It uses an optimization engine (GenOpt) for driving a dynamic simulation engine (EnergyPlus) towards those building variants that minimize

  at first

  two seasonal long-term discomfort indices based on an adaptive model; and if indoor conditions do not meet the adaptive comfort limits or analyst’s expectations

  it minimizes two seasonal long-term discomfort indices based on the Fanger model. The calculation of such indices has been introduced in EnergyPlus via the Energy Management System module

  by writing computer codes in the EnergyPlus Reference Language.\nThe used long-term discomfort indices proved to provide similar ranking capabilities of building variants

  even if they are based on different comfort models

  and the proposed procedure meets the two- step procedure suggested by EN 15251 without generating significant discontinuities.

  Computational optimization for Zero Energy Buildings Design: Interview results with twenty-eight International experts

  Optimal density of solar buildings was quantified by simultaneously considering solar energy availability

  household energy use

  and transportation energy.

  The relationship between net energy use and the urban density of solar buildings

  ► Evolutionary algorithms are a breakthrough for solving constrained building design problems. ► Time

  knowledge

  lack of tools

  and uncertainty inhibit the uptake of BPO. ► Simulation models inputs causing significant restrain in the AEC industry take up. ► Interviewees’ agreed that BPO enable them to solve building design problems effectively. ► Some significant ideas on future feature of optimisation tools are presented.

  Assessing Gaps and Needs for Integrating Building Performance Optimization Tools in Net Zero Energy Buildings Design

  Andreas Athienitis

  Many assumptions must be made about thermal zoning and interzonal airflow for modelling the performance of buildings. This is particularly important for solar homes

  which are subjected to high levels of periodic solar heat gains in certain zones. The way in which these passive solar heat gains are distributed to other zones of a building has a significant effect on predicted energy performance

  thermal comfort and optimal design selection. This article presents a comprehensive sensitivity analysis that quantifies the effect of thermal zoning and interzonal airflow on building performance

  optimal south-facing glazing area

  and thermal comfort. The effect of controlled shades to control unwanted solar gains is also explored. Results show that passive solar buildings

  in particular

  can benefit from increased air circulation with a forced air system allows solar gains to be redistributed and thus reduces direct gain zone overheating and total energy consumption.

  Thermal zoning and interzonal airflow in the design and simulation of solar houses: a sensitivity analysis

  Andreas Athienitis

  Constantios Kapsis

  Despite the significant impact that the position of movable shading devices has on building energy use

  peak loads

  and visual and thermal comfort

  there is a high degree of uncertainty associated with how building occupants actually operate their shades. As a result

  unrealistic modeling assumptions in building performance simulation or other design methods may lead to sub-optimal building designs and overestimation or underestimation of cooling loads. In the past 35 years

  researchers have published observational studies in order to identify the factors that motivate building occupants to operate shading devices. However

  the diversity of the study conditions makes it is difficult to draw universal conclusions that link all contributing factors to shade movement actions. This paper provides a comprehensive and critical review of experimental and study methodologies for manual shade operation in office buildings

  their results

  and their application to building design and controls. The majority of the many cited factors in office buildings can be categorized into those affecting visual comfort

  thermal comfort

  privacy

  and views. Most office occupants do not operate their shades more than weekly or monthly and they do so based on long-term solar radiation intensity and solar geometry trends rather than reacting to short-term events. They generally operate them to improve visual conditions rather than thermal conditions. Occupants in offices with automatically-controlled heating and cooling tend to be less diligent about using shading devices to improve their comfort.

  Manually-operated window shade patterns in office buildings: A critical review

  Paul Bourdoukan

  Véronique Delisle

  Ralf Klein

  Adam Hirsch

  Paul Torcellini

  Andreas Athienitis

  The design of net-zero energy solar buildings (NZESBs) presents a challenge because there is no established design strategy to systematically reach this goal and many of the available building energy tools have limited applicability for such advanced buildings. This paper reviews current design practice and tools for designing NZESBs through a literature review and a survey. It also discusses modelling issues and presents the procedure used in several redesign and optimization case studies of existing NZESBs that Subtask B (STB) of the IEA SHC Task 40/ECBCS Annex 52 project “Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings” is performing. The case studies will identify gaps in existing tools\nand help develop strategies for the use of design tools in establishing near optimal NZESB designs.

  Design

  Optimization

  and Modelling Issues of Net-Zero Energy Solar Buildings

  Occupants' behaviors account for significant uncertainty in building energy use. A better understanding of occupant behaviors is needed in order to manage this uncertainty; as such many studies have been dedicated to this topic. The current paper reviewed the research on adaptive occupant behaviors by sorting it into three categories. The first group encompasses all observational studies. The second group includes modeling studies. The third group incorporates the simulation studies. The current paper presents the methodologies used in these studies

  discusses the limitations associated with their application

  and develops recommendations for future work. Generalized linear models – in particular

  logistic regression models – were found to be appropriate for modeling occupant behavior. Reversal of adaptive behaviors (e.g. window closing) was modeled with deadband models or survival models. Occupant models were typically simulated as discrete-time Markov processes. It was concluded that with appropriate selection of building geometry and materials and occupant-predicting control strategies

  impact of occupant behaviors on the building performance can be reduced.

  A critical review of observation studies

  modeling

  and simulation of adaptive occupant behaviors in offices

  ► Evolutionary algorithms are a breakthrough for solving constrained building design problems. ► Time

  knowledge

  lack of tools

  and uncertainty inhibit the uptake of BPO. ► Simulation models inputs causing significant restrain in the AEC industry take up. ► Interviewees’ agreed that BPO enable them to solve building design problems effectively. ► Some significant ideas on future feature of optimisation tools are presented.

  Assessing Gaps and Needs for Integrating Building Performance Optimization Tools in Net Zero Energy Buildings Design

  Occupants play an unprecedented role on energy use of office buildings and they are often perceived as one of the main causes of underperforming buildings. It is therefore necessary to capture the factors influencing these energy intensive occupant behaviors and to incorporate them in building design. This review-based article puts forward a framework to represent occupant behavior in buildings by arguing: occupants are not illogical and irrational but rather that they attempt to restore their comfort in the easiest way possible

  but are influenced by many contextual factors. This framework synthesizes statistical and anecdotal findings of the occupant behavior literature. Furthermore

  it lends itself to occupant behavior researchers to form a systematic way to report the influential contextual factors such as ease of control

  freedom to reposition

  and social constraints.

  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132314000845

  Building performance models routinely involve tens or hundreds of components or aspects and at least as many parameters to describe them. This results in overwhelming complexity and a tedious process if the designer attempts to perform parametric analysis in an attempt to optimize the design. Traditionally

  during design

  parameters are selected on a one-at-a-time basis and

  occasionally

  formal mathematical optimization is applied. However

  many subsets of parameters show some level of interaction

  to varying degrees

  suggesting that the designer should consider manipulating multiple design parameters simultaneously. This paper is divided into two parts. The first part presents a methodology for identifying the critical parameters and two-way parameter interactions. The second part uses these results to identify the appropriate level of modeling resolution. The methodology is applied to a generic model for net-zero or near-net-zero energy houses

  which will be used for an early stage design tool. The results show that performance is particularly sensitive to internal gains

  window sizes

  and temperature setpoints

  and they indicate the points at which adding insulation to various surfaces has minimal impact on performance. The most significant parameter interactions are those between major geometrical parameters and operating conditions. Increased modeling resolution for infiltration and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) only provides a modest improvement to simpler models. However

  explicit modeling of windows

  rather than grouping them into an equivalent area

  has a significant impact on predicted performance. This suggests that identifying and implementing the appropriate level of modeling resolution is necessary

  and that it should be detailed for some aspects even in the early stage design.

  Parametric Analysis to Support the Integrated Design and Performance Modeling of Net-Zero Energy Houses

  YuXiang Chen

  Andreas K. Athienitis

  Transient and steady state models for open-loop air-based BIPV/T systems

  As heritage buildings undergo either needed rehabilitation or optional improvements

  inappropriate lighting alterations can compromise the original intent

  character

  and authenticity of the evaluated building. However

  technology now exists to establish the optimal interplay between artificial lighting and daylighting in any given scenario. Therefore

  a comprehensive audit of the lighting and daylighting features of a heritage building can actually provide opportunities to not only reclaim compromised historic character but also improve the building’s energy efficiency and value.\nThis project aims to bridge the gap between heritage value and energy efficiency in the lighting/daylighting field. It will evaluate the lighting performance of a potential historic building (the St Barnabas Church of Ottawa) and determine areas for improvement.\n\nBy integrating surveying and energy analysis tools

  this project presents an innovative methodology for the analysis of historic buildings and provides a template for further understanding of the importance of preservation and conservation in the building performance simulation community.

  Lasers

  Light

  and God: 3-D scanning assisted lighting analysis of a house of worship

  Energy use in buildings worldwide accounts for over 40% of primary energy use and 24% of greenhouse gas emissions . Energy use and emissions include both direct

  on-site use of fossil fuels as well as indirect use from electricity

  district heating/cooling systems and embodied energy in construction materials.\n \nGiven the global challenges related to climate change and resource shortages

  much more is required than incremental increases in energy efficiency. Currently

  a prominent vision proposes so called \"net zero energy\"

  \"zero net energy\"

  \"net zero carbon\" or \"EQuilibrium\" buildings . Although these terms have different meaning and are poorly understood

  several IEA countries have adopted this vision as a long-term goal of their building energy policies .\n \nWhat is missing is a clear definition and international agreement on the measures of building performance that could inform \"zero energy\" building policies

  programs and industry adoption.

  IEA EBC Annex 66 - Definition and Simuation of Occupant Behavior

  Subtask co-leader for group focused on occupant behaviour in commercial buildings. We are focused on occupant monitoring and modelling methodologies.

  O'Brien

  Liam (William)

  O'Brien

  CanmetENERGY

  NRCan

  Self-employed

  Carleton University

  Varennes

  QC

  Performed demand response modelling on a high-rise office tower to determine potential energy cost savings by controlling HVAC to passively store thermal energy in the building structure.

  Resarcher

  CanmetENERGY

  NRCan

  Ottawa

  Canada

  This position involves teaching two courses - Indoor Air Quality and Green Building Design - the fourth year undergraduate and graduate architecture and engineering students. \n\nMy research projects include: \n1) Developing design tools and visualization for building energy performance; particularly for high-performance solar buildings\n2) studying occupant behaviour and particularly developing a model for understanding why office works adjust their window shades\n3) Measuring and modelling green roof performance (I help manage/monitor experimental facilities at Carleton University and the University of Toronto)\n4) Developing a life-cycle costing methodology for net-zero energy buildings\n5) Optimizing commercial building controls utilize structural thermal mass to reduce peak loads and maximize thermal comfort.\n\nI am faculty adviser for the Carleton ASHRAE Student Chapter.

  Associate Professor

  Carleton University

  Toronto

  I have consulted on approximately 12 building projects. Highlights include:\n1) Energy modelling of the Mining Engineering Building

  University of Toronto\n2) Optimizing the shade control algorithm of the John Molson School of Building building at Concordia University\n3) Leader of design charrette for a institutional facility in Uganda\n4) Mayor's Tower Renewal Project: energy modelling to determine the cost-optimal retrofit strategy for Toronto's 3000 high-rise apartment buildings from the 1960s and 70s.

  Building Energy Modeller

  Self-employed

  Vice President

  IBPSA-Canada

  President

  IBPSA-Canada (International Building Performance Simulation Association)

  Ontario Building Envelope Concil

  IBPSA Outstanding Young Contributor Award

  This award recognizes an individual at the beginning of their career who has demonstrated potential for significant contributions to the field of building performance simulation.

  IBPSA