# Building Information Modelling and Energy Simulation for Architecture Design
## 1 Introduction
A design-decision-supporting tool for the conceptual phases of design and throughout the design process based on a BIM template has been designed by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [16]. In particular, the aim was to develop a simple tool to calculate how many photovoltaic solar panels can be installed to reach a zero-energy building by substituting all electric devices. [PERSON] et al. [17] investigated the application of BIM for addressing the building energy performance gap. The authors provided a clear set of guidelines for how BIM could be used, by each function, to overcome the BEPG to reduce global emissions driven from the building and construction sector. These cited studies provided good outcomes and results. Nevertheless, a goal of this study is to test a commercial existing tool, easy to be found and to be used. Other authors applied existing commercial tools. Additionally, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [18] proposed a method to determine the interoperability of the utilized programs for evaluating a building's energy performance and indoor comfort through the BIM approach. To do this, they built three main analysis models: An architecture of the building (with the 3D building model), indoor comfort conditions (with the computational fluid dynamics for natural ventilation simulation), and energy performance (with a building energy model specified by the building architecture and its systems). Then, they integrated them through a BIM platform. In order to investigate the potential and limitations of applying BIM to energy management and simulation in the operation lifecycle phase of a service building, [PERSON] et al. [19] developed a service building BIM model in Autodesk Revit and used Energy Analysis for Autodesk Revit that automatically generated the Building Energy Model (BEM) from the BIM model and performed a cloud-based simulation in Autodesk Green Building Studio (GBS). They found input limitations of GBS, mainly in HVAC systems customization, compromise the representation and energy performance evaluation of the building under actual operating conditions. For this reason, they affirmed that GBS is more adequate for early buildings' lifecycle stages where energy simulation results may support decisions that aim to improve the buildings' energy performance during the operation phase. [PERSON] et al. [20] used the software Autodesk Revit together with the energy rating tool (FirstRate5), and BIM-enabled life cycle assessment (LCA-Tally) to quantify, compare, and improve the building design options to reduce carbon footprint and energy consumptions in residential dwellings. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [21] compared FirstRate5 with Archicad EcoDesigner developing three building types. They found significant differences between simulations, being, measured areas, thermal loads, and potentially serious shortcomings within FirstRate5, that were discussed along with the future potential of a fully BIM-integrated model for energy rating certification in Victoria. In [PERSON] and [PERSON]'s study [22], an integrated method that links BIM, energy analysis, and cost estimating tools with a green building certification system was presented. The aim was to calculate the potential gain or loss of energy for the building and to evaluate its sustainability based on the US and/or Canadian Green Building Council. Right now, the data transmission between BIM and BEM is possible through two types of file format: IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) and gbXML (Green Building Extensible Markup Language). Both have important advantages. The IFC format is the standard format for information exchange in BIM modelling and is the only format to have a certification. It is possible to load most of the information concerning a building except for the energy analysis data, such as occupancy profiles, data relating to external and internal temperatures, systems, etc. The gbXML is a format based on IFC, but containing all the information of an energetic nature.